Beyond the Rainy Season: Empowering Northern Ghana Through Solar-Powered Mechanized Water Systems

March 27, 2026

In many parts of northern Ghana, farming is a seasonal lifeline one that depends almost entirely on rainfall. With just one major rainy season each year, farmers are often limited to a single production cycle, leaving fields idle for up to five to seven months during the long dry season. This seasonal gap significantly reduces incomes and contributes to food insecurity, particularly among women and young people who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.

According to development estimates, only 3% 2% of cultivated land in Ghana is under irrigation, making smallholder farmers highly vulnerable to climate variability and erratic rainfall patterns.

“For Ayadago Atamporka, a farmer in the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region of Ghana, this reality meant putting her dreams on hold. ‘After learning how to bake, I lacked the capital to start my own business, so I stayed home for five years. Today, this opportunity has sparked my interest in farming, and I am proud to grow food that can support my community and help fight hunger,’ she said.

Person digging in dry soil as solar panels and onlookers stand in the background.

Through support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana, in partnership with the META Foundation and with funding from the United States Department of State, solar-powered mechanized water systems have been handed over to the communities of Tarikom and Widnaba in the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Solar-powered irrigation is increasingly recognized as a climate-smart solution, providing reliable access to water while reducing dependence on costly fuel and minimizing environmental impact.

Across the two communities, 10 acres of land have been allocated for vegetable farming, creating opportunities for nearly 100 women and youth to engage in productive agriculture throughout the year.

With access to irrigation, farmers can now cultivate crops during the dry season potentially doubling or even tripling annual yields compared to rain-fed farming alone.

Beyond increased production, dry-season farming also allows farmers to grow high-value vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and leafy greens, which often fetch higher market prices during off-season periods.

The District Chief Executive for Tempane district, Hon. Joseph Mbilah said the intervention addresses one of the most persistent challenges facing farming communities in the area.

“For too long, our farmers have been at the mercy of the rains. This solar irrigation system means that women and youth in Tarikom and Widnaba no longer have to watch their fields sit empty for months. We are grateful to UNDP, META Foundation, and the United States Department of State for making this a reality for our communities”.

David Azupogo, Representative of META Foundation, emphasizing the importance of community-led solutions.

"What we have installed here presents great benefits and opportunity to the community members. We believe that when you give communities the right tools and the right support, they find ways to transform their own lives. That is exactly what we expect to see here."

According to Melody Azinim, Peace and Governance Analyst at UNDP Ghana, expanding economic opportunities is critical to building resilience in vulnerable communities.

“When communities have access to opportunities that improve livelihoods, it not only strengthens household incomes but also contributes to resilience and stability within the community,” she said.

This intervention forms part of broader efforts under the Promoting Economic Resilience of Host Communities for Peacebuilding (PERCH) project is a UNDP-led initiative funded by the US Department of State , which aims to reduce vulnerabilities by strengthening livelihoods in at-risk communities across Northern Ghana.

For Atamporka, the opportunity represents more than just farming it is a pathway back to her ambitions.

“Being selected for this project has given me new hope,” she said. “Through the farming activities, I will earn enough to buy baking supplies and finally start my own baking business while continuing to farm.”

Initiatives like these are helping communities move beyond the limitations of rainfall transforming agriculture into a more reliable, year-round source of income.

With sustained investment and stronger partnerships, similar climate-smart solutions can be scaled to reach more communities unlocking opportunities for thousand farmers to improve their livelihoods, strengthen food security, and build resilience against a changing climate.

"For too long, our farmers have been at the mercy of the rains. This solar irrigation system means that women and youth in Tarikom and Widnaba no longer have to watch their fields sit empty for months."