A drip irrigation facility in the Konjiehi community, Wa Municipality, is expected to improve the incomes and livelihoods of over 30 farmers in the community through all-year-round farming.

The facility, constructed under the FOSTERING Project, is also expected to, among other things, strengthen climate resilience and contribute to efforts to reduce irregular migration among young people in the community.

It comprises a fenced irrigable area, a mechanised water supply system and drip irrigation lines.

The Community Aid for Rural Development (CARD)-Ghana constructed the facility in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony at Konjiehi, Mr Al-hassan Hudi, Executive Director of CARD-Ghana, said the beneficiaries had also received capacity-building in entrepreneurship and livelihoods to ensure the sustainability of the intervention.

“This intervention is not only for over 30 beneficiary farmers. The benefits will extend to their households, their children and future generations within the community,” he said.

Mr Hudi urged the community members to protect the facility, work together and maximise its benefits to improve livelihoods and promote local economic development.

Naa Yakubu Hashim, Chief of Konjiehi, described the irrigation system as a blessing to the community, noting that the reliable all-year-round water supply would increase agricultural production and improve household incomes.

He said the intervention would also create employment opportunities for young people and help reduce youth migration by creating sustainable livelihoods within the community.

Ms Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission of IOM for Ghana, Togo, Benin, said the project would promote inclusive and environmentally sustainable livelihoods for returnees and members of host communities.

She said the successful implementation of the project demonstrated the importance of partnerships among development partners, government institutions and communities in promoting sustainable development.

Ms Ndiaye reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting livelihood interventions that align with government priorities and contribute to addressing irregular migration among young people.

Ms Ruth Mansah Mensah, Technical Advisor at GIZ, described the facility as a symbol of partnership, resilience and hope.

She said the project’s success would depend on how well the facility would be maintained and the extent to which it improved the lives of beneficiaries and the wider community.

In a speech read on his behalf, Alhaji Nurah Issah Danwana, Wa Municipal Chief Executive, said the project was a practical response to the growing challenges of climate change, including erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry seasons.

He said the drip irrigation system would enable farmers to diversify production and improve household income while strengthening their resilience to climate-related shocks.

The partners also presented farm toolkits, including wellington boots, knapsack sprayers, watering cans and agricultural inputs, to the beneficiary farmers.