Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, says the government has distributed more than 1,000 water pumps seized from illegal mining operations to farmers across Ghana to support irrigation farming.
Speaking on Joy News during a discussion on Ghana’s food sovereignty 69 years after independence, Mr Dumelo said the initiative is part of short-term measures to improve irrigation and increase food production.
The pumps were confiscated during operations against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, and have now been redirected to farmers who require irrigation equipment for year-round farming.
“With irrigation, in the short term, the galamsey pumps we have seized have been distributed to farmers across the country to help irrigate their farms,” he said.
Mr Dumelo explained that while the redistribution provides immediate support to farmers, the government is also working on larger irrigation projects.
He mentioned the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project as part of medium- and long-term plans to expand irrigation infrastructure.
According to him, such large-scale projects will take time to complete but are essential for improving agricultural productivity.
Mr Dumelo said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to support farmers, strengthen irrigation systems and increase food production nationwide.
