Professor Roger Kanton, a Research Scientist at the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), has expressed surprise at the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority’s (GIDA) estimated cost of $40,000 to develop an irrigation scheme for a hectare of farmland.
He described the amount as “unreasonably high” during an interview on Citi FM.
GIDA’s Acting CEO, Ing. Richard Oppong-Boateng, had earlier stated that the cost is necessary to explore and develop irrigation schemes to mitigate the drought affecting northern Ghana.
However, Prof. Kanton argued that the amount is excessive, especially considering the existence of local water bodies and indigenous systems.
He suggested that a significant portion of the funds might be allocated to consultancy services and bureaucratic costs, rather than the actual development of the irrigation scheme.
Prof. Kanton emphasised the need for a more cost-effective approach, utilising local expertise and resources to address the pressing issue of drought in the region.
Prof. Kanton said, “The source of water bodies exists so you are not going to start from scratch. So, that amount that he [GIDA] gave you is unreasonably rather on the higher side. If you use our own local, proper and indigenous systems, we would have without putting so much money into consultancy.
“If he breaks down that $40, 000 per hectare dam, you will see that a lot of them go back to bureaucrats like them. They will put consultancy services and others.”
Source: Citinewsroom
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