Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku Launches Waamu/Kumi Water Conservation Scheme to Boost Rice Production

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has officially broken ground for the construction of the Waamu/Kumi Water Conservation Scheme in Aninkromah, located in the Ashanti Region. This ambitious infrastructure project is designed to significantly enhance agricultural productivity by developing 114 hectares of irrigable land. By providing a reliable water source for farming, the scheme is expected to double local rice yields for the Waamu/Kumi Rice Farmers' Cooperative, marking a critical step forward in the government's efforts to modernize the nation's agricultural sector.

The project is projected to produce approximately 1,140 metric tonnes of paddy rice annually once fully operational. Beyond the long-term agricultural benefits, the construction phase itself is set to provide immediate economic relief to the area by creating roughly 100 temporary jobs for local residents. This initiative forms a core component of the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) and aligns with the broader objectives of the government’s Feed Ghana Programme, which seeks to transform rural economies through infrastructure development and technical support for smallholder farmers.

During the sod-cutting ceremony, Minister Opoku highlighted the strategic importance of expanding agricultural infrastructure as a means to reduce Ghana's reliance on food imports. He noted that projects like the Waamu/Kumi scheme are essential for improving rural livelihoods and ensuring national food security. The Minister also called on the local community and the farmers' cooperative to take an active role in protecting the catchment area, emphasizing that the long-term sustainability of the irrigation scheme depends on the environmental health of the surrounding landscape.

This development comes as the administration under President John Mahama continues to prioritize climate-resilient agriculture to mitigate the impact of erratic weather patterns on crop production. By shifting from rain-fed agriculture to managed irrigation, the Waamu/Kumi scheme serves as a model for future interventions across the country. As construction begins, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture remains focused on completing the project within the stipulated timeframe to ensure that the farmers of Aninkromah can begin reaping the benefits of year-round cultivation as soon as possible.