Food security under threat as maize farmers in Wenchi decry impact of dry spell

Akrobi, Wenchi Municipality — Food security concerns are mounting in Akrobi, a farming community in the Wenchi Municipality of the Bono Region, after a prolonged dry spell devastated several acres of maize farms.

For weeks, the municipality has endured unusually high temperatures and little rainfall. These harsh conditions have left farmlands cracked and maize crops withered, forcing many farmers to count heavy losses.

Farmers fear the setback could trigger ripple effects across the food supply chain, driving up maize prices and tightening availability in the months ahead.

Crops fail at critical growth stage

According to the farmers, the sudden interruption of rainfall occurred at a crucial stage of crop development. This resulted in widespread crop failure, placing this year’s harvest — and the livelihoods of hundreds of households — at serious risk.

Among the hardest hit is Eric Osei, the Assembly Member for the Akrobi Electoral Area. His 35-acre maize farm, which serves as his primary source of income, has been reduced to dry, withered stalks.

“This is the most painful season we’ve seen in years because the plants dried up before they could mature. Many of us have lost almost our entire investment, and I don’t know how we are going to survive without returns from the farm,” he lamented.

Farmers count heavy losses

The losses have been equally devastating for Madam Akua Ataa, who invested nearly GH₵15,000 in her three-acre maize farm. She had hoped the project would secure her livelihood for the year, but the drought has ravaged her fields.

Appeal for support

Affected farmers are urgently appealing to the authorities for drought-mitigating support. They are calling for access to irrigated farming systems, subsidised agricultural inputs, and emergency relief packages to help cushion the financial shock.

MoFA begins assessment

The Municipal Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Emmanuel Afful, has acknowledged the growing concerns among farmers over the ongoing dry spell but said the full scale of the devastation is yet to be determined.

In a phone interview, Mr. Afful explained that the ministry has instructed local agricultural officers to intensify monitoring and conduct detailed assessments of the situation. He assured that once the evaluations are completed, the findings would be made public.