Audio By Carbonatix
As the government works to implement its flagship program, Planting for Food and Jobs, a soil science and water engineering expert at the University of Cape Coast is cautioning government that the policy could fail should irrigation farming and the creation of dams be ignored.
According to Prof. Livingstone Sam Amoah, ignoring the construction of dams and not factoring in irrigation in agricultural production will spell doom for food security in the country.
Prof Amoah, the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences at the University of Cape Coast, who was delivering his inaugural lecture at the University of Cape Coast, lauded government’s ‘One Village One Dam’ project.
He is convinced the project will provide water all year round for irrigation without farmers having to rely solely on rainfall to meet the water requirements of crops.
“Obviously the One District One Dam policy is a very good programme. I am not saying this because maybe I have sympathies with NPP or NDC or PPP but I am purely using my professional judgment.”
This is a very laudable scheme and the main purpose of the programme is to make water readily available in as many communities as possible through the construction of infrastructure to stock water to facilitate effective and sustainable all year round commercial agricultural production," he explained.
Prof. Livingstone Sam Amoah explained, for Africa to achieve its fullest potentials in food security, a certain level of a new crop of entrepreneurial leaders dedicated to the continent’s economic improvements through the Advancement in Science, Technology and Engineering is required.
“Technology should be the greatest consideration in our agricultural life. Many advanced countries that are doing well in the area of agriculture are doing so with the aid of technology,” he averred.
While encouraging diversification of crops for household consumption, Professor Amoah also charged the government to operationalise its policies on irrigation to salvage the country from famine and other extreme forms of hunger.
The theme for the lecture was “Ensuring Food Security: Damming the Waters or Damning our Future."
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
They demolish buildings and tell us they’re building 24-hour markets – Paul Adom-Otchere
18 seconds -
NPP’s 2024 Bolgatanga Central Parliamentary Candidate elected Upper East Regional Chairman
12 minutes -
Incumbent Northern NPP Chair wins as new faces break through in party executive elections
16 minutes -
Former Health Minister Okoe Boye elected NPP Greater Accra Regional Chair
31 minutes -
Joseph Kobinah Esibu elected NPP Central Regional Chairman
41 minutes -
Fernandez booed by Chelsea fans as Alonso offers glimpse of blueprint
49 minutes -
PSG sign World Cup winner Torres from Barcelona
57 minutes -
Odeneho Kwaku Appiah beats former EPA boss Kokofu, to emerge NPP Ashanti chair
1 hour -
TDC defends statutory mandate, says its authority to develop Tema predates TMA
1 hour -
Ignatius Kwesi Afrifa elected NPP Western Regional Chairman
1 hour -
Galamsey will be a key issue for NPP’s 2028 campaign – Annoh-Dompreh
1 hour -
Makafui Woanyah retains NPP Volta Regional Chairmanship
1 hour -
Ghana Law Society announces maiden annual Bar conference for September 30
1 hour -
Abronye DC retains NPP Bono Regional chairmanship
2 hours -
NSMQ 2026: Check out the 147 schools battling in 49 preliminary contests
2 hours