The Member of Parliament for Agotime Ziope, Charles Agbeve has kick-started implementing an irrigation project to promote food production and growth of the local economy of his constituency.

The first phase of the project saw the construction of a dam for the people of Wortikpo to ensure an all-season farming to enhance their livelihoods.

Peasant farming is the main source of livelihood for residents in the Agotime Ziope Districts, making agriculture a major contributor to the local economy.

However, these residents are unable to engage in all-season farming due to the lack of water to irrigate their farms, hence has been a major setback and impediment to their livelihoods.

“We are farmers here in this community. But we suffer during the dry season because the rains stop and we have to cease farming until the next season“, Adzudzorvi Helen said.

This informed a decision by the MP, Charles Agbeve to implement the irrigation project, starting from the Wortikpo community, adding that the initiative forms part of his objective to promote agriculture.

He also aims to use the initiative to curb the import of farm produce from neighboring countries, by empowering the community folks to produce in lean seasons as well, when produce is very expensive.

He believes the residents would see a transformation in their livelihoods when the full components of the project are completed.

“You and I know the costs of tomatoes now, I think just one tomato is about 5 cedis and so if the good people of Wortikpo will take advantage of this dam and do irrigation farming around January, February they will be cashing in, and improving on their livelihoods”, he said.

He further indicated that “I believe strongly, that constructing the dam is just the beginning. It is a means to an end, it is not an end in itself. It is a means to first ensuring we get continuous access to water for a start. Secondly, identify crops that we can cash on in the dry season to plant and make money.”

Mr. Agbeve is hoping to replicate this initiative in other parts of the Agotime Ziope Constituency to ensure continuous food product to meliorate the growth of the local economy.