Reported By: Tahiru Ibrahim Apiliye
The Tano Irrigation Scheme, operated by the Irrigation Company of the Upper East Region (ICOUR), is playing a significant role in transforming agricultural production and livelihoods in the Upper East Region.
ICOUR’s Tano Project Boosts Local Farming
ICOUR, a state-owned enterprise established on February 9, 1983, under Ghana’s Companies Code (Act 179), was created to promote food crop production through managed irrigation systems. One of its flagship projects is the Tano Irrigation Scheme, located at Tano near Navrongo in the Kasena-Nankana Municipality.
The scheme spans a gross area of 3,860 hectares, with a potential irrigation capacity of 2,680 hectares. So far, 2,490 hectares have been fully developed for cultivation.
Over the years, the project has supported the production of rice, tomatoes, onions, pepper, and leafy vegetables. Currently, however, about 98 percent of the cultivated land is dedicated to rice production, reflecting the crop’s dominance within the scheme.
The irrigation system includes a 42-kilometre main canal serving approximately 2,500 farmers across more than nine communities, with each farmer cultivating an average of 0.6 hectares.
Focus on Rehabilitation and Sustainability
As of early 2026, the Managing Director of ICOUR, Dominic Anarigide, said management efforts are focused on rehabilitating and desilting the dam system to improve water flow and ensure reliable irrigation for farmers.
He emphasized that strengthening the infrastructure is critical to sustaining production levels and enhancing food security in the region.
Currently, over 60 percent of rice harvested from the scheme is sold to aggregators, contributing to local incomes and regional grain supply.
The continued development of the Tano Irrigation Scheme is expected to further boost agricultural productivity, create jobs, and strengthen the Upper East Region’s role in Ghana’s food production landscape.
