Farmers and residents of Salaga in the East Gonja district are struggling to themselves and their familites daily due to deforestation and other adverse conditions that impact agriculture negatively.
The farmers tell rawgist.com chopping of trees, coupled with climate change have made farming extremely painful.
Chief farmer of the area Abdul Mumin Issah tells rawgist.com that, farmers were unable to farm since last year due to drought, this has brought hunger in Salaga and neighbouring communities.
” I really struggle to get food for food for my family, food prices are up and poor people are dying”, he explained.
Visit to the district revealed that chainsaw operators were on rampage. Trees were being logged gleefully and rivers were rapidly drying up.
Another farmer; Abdulai Salifu, adds that “there have been no rains this year, crops can’t survive on the land”. “I planted maize, yam, and rice but all failed due to drought. These chainsaw operators have destroyed our lands, I know the forestry commission is in support of their activities.”
Maria, a resident explains how her children have dropped out of school due to hunger. “We wake up very early to find food and water. By the time we feed, it’s too late for the kids to go to school. We are really suffering.”
They appeal to government to help end the activities of chainsaw operators in the area.
