Smallholder farmers in the Nabdam and Talensi Districts of the Upper East Region are grappling with significant challenges as elephants invade and destroy their farms, especially during harvesting seasons.
The farmers, belonging to the Maaltaaba Peasant Women Farmers' Cooperative (MAPEWFAC), expressed their distress, emphasizing the impact on food security and their livelihoods.
Mr. Nahu Yamg, an overseer of traditional lands, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that migrating elephants from Burkina Faso through wildlife corridors were causing considerable damage to crops.
He noted that the situation compelled many farmers to sleep on their farms to protect their livelihoods.
Ms. Priscilla Noah, another farmer, raised concerns about the compounding effects of elephant invasion amid the region already facing climate change impacts and food insecurity.
The farmers also decried the destruction of shea trees by nomadic Fulani herdsmen, a vital source of their livelihood.
In a joint project review meeting organized by MAPEWFAC, the farmers appealed to state authorities for assistance in addressing the challenges posed by elephants and the destruction of shea trees.
They also voiced grievances about the high cost of tractor services during the farming season.
Mr. Rashid Imoro, Nabdam District Director of Agriculture, responded to the farmers' concerns, assuring them that plans were underway to establish beehives in the area to deter elephants.
He also pledged to address the issue of high tractor service costs and encouraged the women to collaborate to reduce expenses.
Ms. Lydia Miyella, the Executive Director of MAPEWFAC, highlighted the purpose of the joint stakeholder meeting, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of the “Empowering Rural Peasant Women Farmers to act through access to local & decentralized Policies, Programmes on Rural Agriculture and Livelihood (The EMPOWER Project).”
She expressed satisfaction that the beneficiaries, including single mothers, teenage girls, PWDs, and their households, could now access government interventions to improve their livelihoods.
Development Consultant Mr. Vincent Subbey, who facilitated the forum, provided insights on effective advocacy campaigns for positive changes in livelihoods.