In January 2016, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and I WAD Ghana Limited, the private agricultural and irrigation development company, signed a Cooperative Agreement under which the two organisations will co-fund the Power Innovations in Commercial Agriculture (PICA) project. The goal of PICA is to enhance net incomes of the irrigated nucleus farm and 300 out-growers in the Sisili-Kulpawn basin through the provision of efficient alternative power systems. Three specific objectives will be pursued to achieve this goal:
• Build infrastructure for a solar hybrid power generation system.
• Secure the provision of low cost power for irrigated farming.
• Improve productivity of smallholder out growers through application of smaller solar irrigation initiatives.
It is expected that with the generation of about 0.8MW of solar energy both IWAD’s nucleus estate and its smallholder outgrowers will have access to clean energy that significantly improves their net incomes through power cost savings up to 50%. The transfer of knowledge on modern irrigation and renewable energy is expected to enhance efficiency in energy and water use for commercial agriculture among local farmers.
The project location is Yagaba, in the Mamprugu-Moaduri district of the Northern Region of Ghana
Sugarcane is one of the crops that have been planted since the start of the pilot phase of IWAD irrigation project in Yagaba. Nine (9) varieties are currently planted on site, six (6) varieties were brought from Mauritius by cuttings, two (2) varieties from South Africa by seedlings and 1 variety from Komenda by cuttings […]
IWAD SUGARCANE TRIAL IN YAGABA Read More »
When the A-LEAP programme was initiated in Ghana in early 2017, IWAD found synergy between the programme’s objectives and IWAD’s planned work placement initiative for the youth. The A-LEAP programme aims to provide opportunities for African youth aged 18-35 to gain practical experience and knowledge in the agricultural sector. The broad goal is to support
IWAD partners with Africa Lead Agribusiness Internship Programme(A-LEAP) Read More »
Three demonstration farms have been established with small solar applications at three different locations close to water source, one at Kpasenkpe, another one at Yagaba and the IWAD nucleus farm estate. Over 50 farmers have so far participated in the demonstration farm training on how to use small solar applications for the cultivation of vegetables
The unit has made efforts to engage the youth of Yagaba over the period to discuss issues pertaining the community and also give room for more education on projects concepts. The unit by way of doing this bridges the gap between the community and IWAD therefore building good relationships with them.
Community engagements Read More »
On the 23rd August 2017, the deputy Dutch Ambassador to Ghana Mrs. Caecilia Wijgers made a visit to the project site in Yagaba to see how the project is doing since its inception. She made time to interact with the chief and elders of Yagaba, a familiarization tour to the farm lands and offices as
Deputy Dutch Ambassador’s visit to IWAD Read More »
On Saturday, the 22nd of April, 2017, IWAD led by the Operations Manager received an entourage from the Government of Ghana at the project site in Yagaba. The entourage included the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Salifu Saeed; Minister of State in-charge of Special Development Initiatives, Hon. Hawa Koomson and other dignitaries. The Operations Manager, Small
Consultations/Potential Investors’ Visits Read More »
On Tuesday November 14, 2017, a team from the African Development Bank (AfDB ) together with SADA and some government officials led by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture ( Dr. Sagre Bambangi) visited IWAD project site in Yagaba. 30 people participated comprising 16 senior members and others including the media and security personnel. The team was
AfDB Visit to IWAD Read More »
A reconnaissance soil survey led by a local consultant in the person of Dr. Ganiyu Shaibu from the University for Development Studies (UDS) and a sugarcane expert in the person of Mr. Jerome Havel from Terra Mauritius was carried out in Kpasenkpe and its contiguous communities. The survey is geared towards phase II of the
Reconnaissance soil survey in XL communities Read More »
Welcome to the first edition of IWAD newsletter, Download Here
Newsletter – First Edition (Download) Read More »
For many countries in Africa, irrigation is touted as the answer to achieving the transformation of local agriculture from a subsistent necessity to a commercial enterprise for the serious farmer.Irrigation for many is seen as the panacea to reducing the significant risk in agricultural investments that is tied to inconsistent rainfall patterns. However if we
