State official laments staff shortages, climate threats to agriculture 

Mr John Kwablavi Hoenyegah, the Garu District Director of Agriculture, has expressed concern over the persistent logistical, staffing, and climate-related constraints that continues to undermine agricultural productivity. 

He said these challenges threatened the successful implementation of the Government’s flagship Feed Ghana programme in the district, to boost agriculture and ensure food security. 

The Director made the remarks when he addressed farmers and stakeholders at the 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration held in Garu. 

Mr Hoenyegah said although the district recorded a good harvest this year because of improved access to inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and mechanisation services, the gains remained fragile unless urgent systemic challenges were addressed. 

He described the Farmer-Agriculture Department partnership as the strength behind Garu’s agricultural progress but warned that the district’s extension system was overstretched and unable to provide adequate technical support to farmers across the many communities. 

“Our Agricultural Extension Agents are stretched thin. Their inadequate numbers limit the depth and frequency of technical support they can offer to our farmers, and this affects productivity,” he said. 

The District Director added that financial and logistical limitations within the Department of Agriculture continued to hinder effective service delivery and slow response to farmers’ needs. 

Beyond institutional constraints, Mr Hoenyegah said the global climate crisis had become a direct local threat to Garu’s food security, citing unpredictable rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, and emerging pests as major risks that farmers now had to contend with. 

“This is a battle we did not create, but one we must fight,” he stressed. 

Mr Hoenyegah also highlighted the district’s limited water infrastructure such as dams and irrigation facilities as a major barrier to year-round farming. 

To address these challenges, he appealed to the government and development partners to consider urgent recruitment of more extension officers and ensure increased investment in the district’s agricultural systems. 

He also urged a district-wide shift toward climate-smart agriculture, adoption of drought-tolerant seeds, sustainable land practices, and rainwater harvesting. 

“Let each of us plant at least one tree in 2026 and nurture it. Let us avoid indiscriminate burning and felling of trees, and handle agro-chemicals responsibly,” he added. 

Mr Hoenyegah also appealed for the construction and rehabilitation of more dams and irrigation schemes to unlock the district’s full agricultural potential. 

In line with this year’s theme, “Feed Ghana. Eat Ghana. Secure the Future,” he encouraged residents to patronise locally grown and processed foods to boost local economies and empower farmers. 

Mr John Abaare Abugba, the District Chief Executive for Garu, commended farmers for their resilience and reiterated government’s commitment to modernising agriculture under the Feed Ghana Programme. 

The DCE also acknowledged the role of traditional authorities, security agencies, and stakeholders in restoring stability to the district, adding that peace remained a prerequisite for agricultural productivity and investment. 

He reaffirmed the Assembly’s dedication to supporting mechanisation, youth and women participation, and creating market linkages to improve farmers’ incomes. 

The celebration was supported by the Garu District Assembly, BESSFA Rural Bank, the MP for Garu, PWD Fund, Presby Agric Station, traditional authorities, Samira Enterprise, and the Peasant Farmers Association. 

Source: GNA 

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