Rice production in the Shama district of Ghana’s Western Region has drastically declined due to water contamination caused by illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
The Wind River, a vital source of irrigation for over 35,000 farmers, which once served as the main source for an irrigation facility built in 2010 to enhance rice farming in Ohiama Drain, is now severely contaminated. The pollution has rendered the water unsuitable for irrigation, leaving farmers struggling to sustain their crops.
The pollution has forced many farmers to shut down irrigation systems, which has, in turn, reduced the amount of rice being harvested. This reduction has also affected rice mills and other related businesses, leading to a significant drop in the processing and supply chain of rice in the area.
According to Papa Ansa Mills, a rice farmer managing 45 acres of land in Ohiama Drain, the pollution of the river with mercury has made it impossible for him to use the water for irrigation. In an interview with TV3, which The High Street Journal monitored closely, Mills shared the significant challenges he faces, including the need to transport clean water from town at a cost of 400 cedis per trip. This additional cost is crippling his business.
“The river is polluted with mercury. I can’t use it to irrigate my crops. I now transport clean water from town, costing me four hundred cedis per trip. It’s crippling my business,” he said.
The situation described by Papa Ansa Mills reflects a larger issue that goes beyond his personal experience. When farmers are forced to spend extra resources on alternative water sources due to polluted rivers, it creates a financial strain that disrupts their operations.
Instead of using funds to expand their farms or invest in better crop management, they end up spending large sums to address the contamination problem. This shift in expenditure leads to a decline in productivity, as there is little left to reinvest into increasing yields or improving farming techniques.
Over time, with this issue unresolved, it could result in a decrease in food production at the national level, which would negatively affect food security. As supply decreases, prices are likely to rise, impacting not only the local community but also consumers nationwide.
Additionally, the health risks associated with mercury contamination, such as potential long-term exposure and soil degradation, further threaten the sustainability of agriculture in the area.
This cycle, if not addressed, could weaken the entire agricultural sector, reducing its capacity to contribute to economic growth and affecting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
The national president of the Peasant Farmers Association, Awal Adugwala, highlighted the widespread impact that illegal mining is having on agriculture in the Shama district. He explains that many farmers are already struggling due to the lack of infrastructure, such as combined harvesters, which is making rice production more difficult.
He indicated that the pollution of water bodies has worsened the situation. Farmers have had to block the irrigation canals because the water is too polluted to use. This has significantly reduced the amount of rice being produced, which in turn has affected the rice mills, as they are processing less rice due to the lower production levels.
“There are a lot of rice farmers in the Shama district who are lacking the infrastructure. Combined harvesters are not available for them, so the government must invest in agriculture. The Shama district is able to produce a large storage of rice every year to support feeding in the region and then beyond the region. And as we speak, rice production too has also gone down as a result of the polluted water.”
“We’re just looking at how the canal that is taking water from the river to the rice farm has been blocked. The farmers have to block that canal because the water is polluted. With less rice being harvested, rice mills are seeing a drop in the amount of rice they’ve processed because the rice farmers are not producing much,” Awal stated.
To combat this growing threat, Papa Ansa Mills and other farmers in the area are urging the government to step up efforts to combat galamsey, restore clean water sources, and invest in critical agricultural infrastructure to prevent further damage to their livelihoods.
“So, we are pleading with the government to intensify the fight against galamsey, so we can have portable water to irrigate our crops,” Mills said.
Awal also emphasized the need for an inclusive approach, recommending that local stakeholders, including the Peasant Farmers Association, be actively involved in the fight against illegal mining.
