Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The purpose of developing these irrigation schemes by the government of
Ghana was:
To improve food security by increasing productivity
To increase crop yields through improved agronomical practices
To reduce poverty in the rural areas, and
To
reduce
rural-urban
migration
by
providing
employment
opportunities for the youth
The constructions of the Vea and Tono schemes started in 1965 and 1975,
and were completed in 1980 and 1985 respectively. According to the FAO
(2005) the cost of developing the Tono Irrigation scheme was US$40,000-
50,000/ha, this included the cost of three townships that were built, a club
house, a swimming pool, a tarred road network, streetlights and the cost of
extending power from the nearest town to the project site.
Figure 4.1
:
Location of Vea and Tono Irrigation Schemes in the Volta basin.
Prior to the construction of both irrigation schemes, parts of the developed
areas (i.e. reservoir and irrigable areas) were occupied by inhabitants who
lived as communities. During the construction these inhabitants were
resettled outside and along the project area. These inhabitants are currently
the main farmers (about 90% of the total) in both schemes. The indigenous
farmers are from the village committees around the projects. Both Vea and
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