Farmers in Oti Region Suffer Devastating Losses Due to Prolonged Dry Spell

Farmers in the Oti Region are facing devastating losses due to a relentless dry spell that has left their fields parched and crop yields in jeopardy. The prolonged lack of rainfall is threatening not only their livelihoods but also food security in the area.

Adom News correspondent Obrempongba Owusu visited several farms in the region, where the impact of the drought was painfully evident. The majority of farmers in Oti rely on rain-fed agriculture, cultivating staple crops such as maize, rice, groundnut, millet, beans, cassava, and yams. However, the ongoing dry spell has led to wilting crops and significantly reduced harvests, forcing many farmers to abandon their fields altogether.

The crisis has even affected educational institutions, with Nkwanta Senior High School losing five acres of its maize farm due to the persistent dry conditions. The school's agricultural department, led by Lawrence Antwi, had aimed to provide students with hands-on farming experience, but the lack of rain has withered the maize crop, a staple food and vital resource for the school.

Farmers in the region expressed their frustration and despair as they watched their crops wither and their hopes dwindle. They explained that the absence of rainfall from July to August has left their fields barren, casting uncertainty over their future, as they depend entirely on rain-fed agriculture.

As the situation worsens, farmers are urgently calling for intervention from the government and agricultural organizations to help mitigate the impact of the drought. The Chief Agriculture Technical Officer in Nkwanta South, Stephen Darko, has raised significant concerns regarding the ongoing dry spell. He warned that the government's Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ II) initiative may struggle to meet its targets if the current weather conditions persist.

Darko emphasized the need for immediate government action to support farmers and safeguard food production in the region. Without timely intervention, the drought could have far-reaching consequences for the Oti Region and beyond.