The Director of Agriculture for the Upper East Region, Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini, has stated that the current dry spell ravaging through farms in the northern part of Ghana is not as severe as the media made the country believe.
Alhaji Fuseini said the situation is not as terrible as earlier reported after he had toured all 15 districts under his administration with his team.
He told Upper East-based A1 Radio that things are better in districts that were estimated to be worse affected.
“We didn’t anticipate the dry spell, but unfortunately, it occurred. I have 15 administrative district officers who have reported to me. Even in the districts we estimated to be worst affected, we went out with a team to ascertain the facts. However, I must say that things were not as severe as reported in the media.”
“Of course, farmers who planted earlier, especially maize crops, faced challenges due to the delay in rains. This year, many maize farmers have shifted to other crops, which will affect our maize production estimates,” Alhaji Fuseini further explained.
He also gave the public the greatest assurance that the drought is under control and that harvest for the season is expected to remain relatively unaffected.
The Finance Ministry announced a GH¢8 billion package on Monday, August 26 to help curtail the situation and cushion affected farmers.
