The Weija Irrigational Water Users Association has petitioned Parliament to make it a policy for subsidies to be introduced on electricity charges for irrigation farming.
It said the current high electricity tariff was threatening the survival of their activities and livelihood.
The General Secretary of the Association, Mr Timothy Quaye, spoke to the media after presenting the petition and said despite the challenges farmers faced, the recent apprehension was on account of the recent increase in electricity charges.
He said electricity charges on its two pumping stations had increased astronomically since December 2015.
“In October 2015, the total cost of electricity was GH¢6,235 and this decreased to GH¢3,591 in November. However, in December, the charges shot up to GH¢23,659 and the charges for January further increased to GH¢35, 659,” he said.
Mr Quaye mentioned that these charges resulted in the disconnection of power until it was forced to source for a loan to make part payment to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
“This situation, we contend, may not be peculiar to our irrigation scheme alone but other irrigational cites.
About Weija Irrigational Scheme
The Weija Irrigational Scheme started operation in 1983 and currently boasts of 203 farmers plus a total of about 400 workers as farm labourers on the various farm-plots.
It is known for its unique Tomato, Onion, Water melon and many other crops.
In the 2015 crop season, total production across the nine crops stood at 5,868 metric tonnes.