MOFA will leave no stone unturned – Eric Opoku

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has assured Parliament that the government is taking decisive steps to address the growing destruction of rice farms by birds in the Walewale Constituency and other parts of the Northern Region, following concerns raised over the significant losses being suffered by farmers.

The assurance was given when the Minister appeared before Parliament’s Assurances Committee to respond to questions on ministerial commitments, including concerns raised by the Member of Parliament for Nalerigu, Alhaji Nurideen Muhammed Mumuni, on behalf of the Member of Parliament for Walewale, Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama, on the issue of bird infestation which has become a major concern for rice farmers in the area. The persistent invasion of these birds threaten food production, farmers’ investments and livelihoods.

Responding to the concerns, Mr. Opoku disclosed that the Ministry’s assessment indicates the scale of the problem is severe, revealing that the birds are capable of consuming as much as five tonnes of rice in a day. He explained that in response to the situation, the Ministry constituted and deployed a four-member technical committee to the Northern Region to conduct a detailed assessment of the infestation and recommend appropriate interventions.

According to the Minister, the committee’s findings established that the birds originally migrated from another location but have since settled permanently in the area, transforming what was initially considered a seasonal challenge into a long-term agricultural threat.

“The Ministry has tasked the team with designing effective strategies to control the bird menace, not only in Walewale but also in the Mamprugu-Moagduri enclave,” the Minister told the Committee.

He said the Ministry is now working on comprehensive and sustainable measures aimed at reducing the destruction caused by the birds while safeguarding rice production in affected communities.

Mr. Opoku assured Members of Parliament that once the technical team completes its work and finalises its recommendations, the Ministry will provide a comprehensive briefing on the interventions to be implemented.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the investments of rice farmers and strengthening food security in the country, stressing that the Ministry would leave no stone unturned in finding a lasting solution to the persistent bird infestation.

The intervention is expected to provide relief to rice farmers across the Walewale Constituency and the wider Mamprugu-Moagduri enclave, where the bird invasion has become an increasing threat to agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of farming communities.

By: Joyce Owusu
Howedey.com reporter