FLOODS DESTROY FARMS IN SOUTHERN VOLTA (BACK PAGE)

Floods caused by heavy rains in the southern parts of the Volta Region have submerged farmlands belonging to more than 30 farmers at Tegbi and Dzelukorpe, leading to the loss of hybrid seed procured and planted by the farmers.
Residents told the Daily Graphic that the situation had serious implications for the food situation in the area as the next harvest appeared threatened.
According to the Chief Farmer of Tegbi, Mr Seth Jumpah, farms cultivated with tomatoes, shallot, okro and cassava had been destroyed by the floods at Woe and parts of Anloga.
He said some of the seeds were bought at GH¢32 per 25kg and GH¢130 per 100kg, saying that the floods had impoverished the farmers and called on the government to intervene and help the farmers to resume their farming activities.
Mr Jumpah said their immediate needs were seeds, fertilisers and insecticides, adding that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) should act swiftly to assist them.
The Chief of Dzelukorpe, Torgbui Dzelu, said the floods had also submerged some roads in the town, posing danger to pupils on their way to school, adding that the drainage system to the sea had been destroyed.
He also said the floods had blocked access to his palace and cut off the Keta Government Hospital from the main road.
Togbui Dzelu said a more serious crisis might occur if a similar downpour should hit the area before the present floods subsided and appealed for assistance to prevent subsequent floods.