IOM hands over irrigation farms to Ghana communities, targets year-round farming

IOM Ghana Chief of Mission joins community members in planting seedlings during the handover ceremony for the new irrigation farm. Photo: IOM / Emmanuella Okai, 2026

Community members receive farming tools to support cultivation at the newly handed-over irrigation farm. Photo: IOM / Emmanuella Okai, 2026

Stanley Ihedigbo

Farmers in two border communities in Ghana are set to benefit from year-round agricultural production following the handover of new irrigation facilities aimed at strengthening climate-resilient livelihoods, food security and local economies.

The facilities, handed over to communities in Konjiahi in the Upper West Region, near the Burkina Faso border, and Awiakrom in the Bono Region, close to Côte d’Ivoire, are expected to enable farmers to continue cultivation during the dry season when rainfall-dependent agriculture traditionally comes to a halt.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with GIZ Ghana and Community Aid for Rural Development (CARD Ghana), handed over the two irrigation farms in July and August 2026 as part of efforts to expand economic opportunities and strengthen resilience in vulnerable border communities.

For years, farmers in the two communities have depended heavily on seasonal rainfall, limiting the scale and duration of agricultural activities and leaving households exposed to changing weather patterns and prolonged dry periods.

The new irrigation facilities are expected to change that situation by providing farmers with reliable access to water and enabling them to cultivate crops beyond the rainy season.

“Our farming activities have depended on the rains, and when the season ended, many of us had no choice but to stop working on our farms,” said Stephen, a farmer from Awiakrom.

“This irrigation facility allows us to grow crops throughout the year, earn a more stable income, and better support our families. We are hopeful that increased production will also open up new market opportunities and encourage more young people to see farming as a viable source of livelihood.”

In Konjiahi, where farmers contend with a prolonged dry season, the irrigation facility is expected to support dry-season cultivation, improve household food availability and provide additional income opportunities.

At Awiakrom, the irrigated farmland is expected to boost agricultural production while generating economic opportunities along the wider agricultural value chain, including processing, storage, transportation, marketing and trade with neighbouring communities.

Agriculture remains a major pillar of Ghana’s economy, contributing 23.3 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing about 45 per cent of its labour force. However, heavy dependence on seasonal rainfall continues to expose farmers to unpredictable weather conditions and prolonged dry spells.

Expanding access to irrigation is therefore seen as an important step towards extending the agricultural season, increasing production and creating more stable livelihoods for farming communities.

Speaking during the handover, Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, IOM Ghana Chief of Mission, said supporting agricultural development in border communities could have benefits beyond individual households.

“Border communities play an important role in local and regional economies, yet they are often among those most exposed to the impacts of climate variability,” Ndiaye said.

“By improving access to productive resources and supporting year-round agriculture, we are helping communities harness their economic potential, strengthen food systems, and create opportunities that benefit not only households but also local markets and cross-border trade.”

The initiative also places emphasis on community ownership and collective management of the facilities.

Selected community members will collectively manage and cultivate the irrigation farms, a model designed to ensure that the benefits extend beyond individual farmers and contribute to sustained livelihood development.

The partners said the initiative would help communities build more sustainable sources of income while strengthening their ability to cope with climate-related challenges.

By expanding access to productive resources and creating opportunities for year-round agriculture, the irrigation projects are expected to contribute to stronger local economies, improved food security and more sustainable livelihoods in Ghana’s border regions.