Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7.6: a) Rehabilitated Pwalugu Tomato Factory; b) Farmers
cultivating vegetables such as cabbage for the urban population.
Once farmers are convinced of a reliable output market for their products,
they are likely to jump to the opportunities and invest in expansion of their
irrigation farms. The market opportunities of the future are therefore likely
to further expand irrigation development in the basin. There are indications
that the successful operation of the factory may even result in the all-year
round cultivation of tomatoes in the study area (Ghana News Agency, 2010).
Appropriate and affordable irrigation technologies
The availability of appropriate and affordable irrigation technologies is one of
the factors that influenced the current trend of irrigation development.
Farmers are likely to explore more efficient and affordable irrigation
technologies in the future. In recent times NGOs such as TIPCEE are
introducing modern irrigation technologies (drip irrigation) to support
farmers in producing exotic vegetables for export markets (Figure 7.6). A
few pilot projects were identified in the study area. TIPCEE expects that
local farmers will develop interest in the new technologies and adopt them.
As farmers seek for more reliable sources of water supply they are likely to
invest in more efficient irrigation technologies especially with regard to
groundwater abstraction. Also farmers are likely to invest in technology that
can abstract groundwater at deeper levels and higher volumes for expanded
irrigation fields.
 
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