Lydia Miyella, the Executive Director of Maaltaaba Peasant Women Farmers Cooperative, was deeply concerned about the plight of rural women in Ghana’s Upper East Region. Apexnewsgh reports
The region was facing a severe drought, with over two months of little to no rainfall, posing a significant threat to food security and the livelihood of thousands of farmers.
In a heartfelt plea to stakeholders and the government, Madam. Lydia emphasized the urgent need for solar mechanized irrigation systems to support the rural women in farming and producing agricultural products for their community and the country at large.
She stressed that these systems were particularly crucial in the drought-prone Upper East Region to combat the near-drought conditions and the increased risk of crop failure for farmers.
Recalling Ghana’s devastating experience with drought in the early 1980s, Madam. Lydia highlighted the importance of taking proactive measures to avert similar crises. She expressed her fears for the uncertain future and the livelihoods of the rural women, urging stakeholders to provide support for the solar mechanized irrigation systems to enable year-round crop cultivation.
Amidst the challenges, there was a glimmer of hope. With the support of the Yamariga Chief and organizations like Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) and Star-Ghana, Maaltaaba had secured land for the women to farm. Additionally, the women had received training in compost preparation and organic farming, leading to a flourishing farm with diverse crops including peppers, tomatoes, maize, okra, beans, and pawpaw seedlings.
Madam Lydia expressed hope that other stakeholders and chiefs would follow suit, empowering rural women to thrive and ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture in the region.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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