Erratic rainfall threatens farming in Upper East

Although a few farmers in low-lying areas have benefited from the early rains, Mr Yen and other farmers in rocky and upland communities, particularly in the Nabdam, Talensi, Bolgatanga East and parts of the Bawku West districts, are struggling to continue with their farming activities due to the prolonged dry spell.

Unlike last farming season, when Mr Yen and other farmers across much of the Upper East Region had completed sowing by this time of the year and were already looking forward to harvesting their early millet, this season is different, and farmers say they are becoming more worried by the day.

Agriculture directorate concerned The Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture, Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini, acknowledged that the erratic rainfall pattern had become a major concern to the department because agriculture in the region remained largely rain-fed, with over 900,000 people, representing between 80 and 90 per cent of the population, engaged in farming.