Start planting immediately you see rain - Volta Agric Director

Food growers have been advised to get ready for rains in the lean season in midst of the threatening drought.

The nation is facing the threat of drought as rains diminished far earlier than expected, causing the government to scramble interventions for some of the hardest hit areas, notably in the northern parts of the country.

Mr. Dzamefe, the Volta Regional Director of Agriculture, has said croppers should make the most of the expected rain in September.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the drought situation, he said although not alarming in the Volta Region, the Metrological department declared a short lean season, and therefore farmers should endeavour to seed early to avoid crop losses.

M. Dzamefe however admitted the toll of the shift in weather pattern, saying it had affected timelines for land preparation and other pre-planting cultures.

“From what we are getting from Ghana MET, the rans will come but then it will be a short window. So, our advice is that immediately when when you see rains please follow and start planting. You don’t wait.

“The onset of the minor season itself has been delayed because traditionally, at the latest by the 15th of September we all should have finished planting, and yet at this time the rains have not come.

Land preparation has also been delayed but then definitely there will be rain coming, so immediately when you see the rain coming you follow and start planting. You will not wait for a second or two. The first heavy rain that comes you start planting,” he said.

The Regional Director stated that farmers in the Region continued to receive technical support with the e-Extension program which leverages collaboration with radio and other broadcast media to reach out to the agrarian communities.

More than 200,000 farmers are benefitting from the Government’s flagship agriculture support program the Planting for Food and Jobs and are receiving seeds and other input.