DRY SPELL AFFECTS CROP PRODUCTION IN BONO REGION – AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT

The Regional Department of Agriculture has reported that the dry spell condition affected crop production in the region.

The dry condition, which started in late June affected cereals, vegetables, and yam, with minimal effect on other root and tubers and tree crops, except for seedlings transplanted within the period. The poor weather conditions which mostly affected the Northern part of the country necessitated field monitoring exercises to ascertain the extent of damage to agriculture. While monitoring was carried out with the National Team, Regional and District Officers also made field visits to gather first-hand information on the situation.

It was observed that cereals, legumes, vegetables, and yam were the most affected due to moisture stress. While all types of vegetables experienced poor fruiting, cereals (maize and rice), yam, and legumes (groundnut, soybean) experienced poor cob or pod formation with some fields without cobs or pods at all.

It was also observed that some vegetable farmers had abandoned their farms due to a lack of water to irrigate their crops. Poor yield in tomatoes, garden eggs, and groundnuts was observed during the visits, with one woman farmer indicating that out of the 10 maxi bags of groundnut expected from the area planted, only one bag was achieved.

There were no observed effects of the dry spell on livestock and pasture production since fodder was available for small ruminant feeding and grazing. There were also no observed or reported pest and disease incidents relating to the dry spell.

Visits were made to various communities and farms in Wenchi, Tain, Sunyani West, and Berekum West Districts.