ICOUR has the potential to create about 16,000 jobs – Dominic Anarigide
He, however, noted that several challenges hinder the company from fully harnessing its potential to contribute to Ghana’s food security and the development of the Upper East Region through its Tono and Vea Irrigation Schemes.
The Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), Dominic Anarigide, says the company, which remains the only state-owned enterprise in the region, has the potential to employ up to 16,000 people through direct and indirect jobs.
Speaking at the company’s 62nd Consultative Committee Meeting in Navrongo on Thursday, November 13, Anarigide said the company has enormous potential but was also confronted with several challenges when he assumed leadership.
“ICOUR Ltd has the potential to create about 10,000 direct and indirect jobs through all-year-round farming, an additional 6,000 jobs through agro-processing, aggregation, and input supplies, boost food security in the region, and contribute to overall agricultural growth and productivity in the country.”
He, however, noted that several challenges hinder the company from fully harnessing its potential to contribute to Ghana’s food security and the development of the Upper East Region through its Tono and Vea Irrigation Schemes.
He highlighted challenges including poor access roads, lack of markets for farm produce, difficulty in sending water to the tail ends of canals, illegal pumping outside the irrigation command areas, land encroachment within the schemes, land disputes within project areas, staffing and structural deficiencies, coupled with low or non-payment of irrigation service charges by some farmers.
Anarigide said that despite these challenges, his management team is determined to rebrand the company in line with its vision, with support from stakeholders.
“Our vision remains clear — to make ICOUR a modern, reliable, and sustainable irrigation company that empowers farmers, supports local economies, and contributes meaningfully to national food security. We intend to do so through rebranding, reuniting, and rebuilding the structures of the company. In order to advance this vision, we must strengthen our partnership with you — our stakeholders.” He emphasized.
As part of measures to rebrand the company as a model of irrigation excellence in Ghana, the Anarigide-led management team announced plans to reintroduce the Best Farmers Award, institute the ICOUR Agric Fest – a programme to promote and market farmers’ produce and rehabilitate the ICOUR guest and club houses, among other initiatives.
Anarigide urged the company’s major stakeholders, especially farmers, to adhere to the crop calendar and strictly abide by the company’s rules for greater prospects.
“I therefore wish to use this platform to appeal to all farmers to adhere strictly to the cropping calendar, respect the company’s rules and regulations, and pay their Irrigation Service Charges promptly. This is the only way we can continue to provide reliable services and sustain operations.”
The 62nd Consultative Committee Meeting brought together stakeholders including traditional leaders, municipal and district agriculture directors, council leaders, board members of ICOUR, farmers’ representatives from Vea and Tono, members of the Input Dealers Association, private investors, aggregators, representatives of the Tractor Owners Association, and leaders of the Water Users Association.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Alexander Bombande
