Government has announced plans to introduce solar-powered irrigation pumps nationwide in a bid to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector and ensure year-round farming.

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, revealed the initiative at the seventh meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) regional committee for Africa, stressing that the programme would help reduce the heavy dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

Mr Jinapor explained that prolonged dry seasons often leave farmers idle for nearly half the year, undermining productivity.

“For close to six months during the dry season, because our farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture, they virtually have nothing to do,” he observed.

He further disclosed that Ghana is collaborating with India, which has already pioneered similar interventions.

“They have agreed to work and collaborate with us so that we can install these solar pumps. By installing these pumps, Ghanaians will be able to engage in productive all-year-round farming. We have signed some MoUs to make this possible,” the Minister said.