Basirata Issahaque

Mrs. Basirata Issahaque is the Lead Farmer of the Bisikaan women farmer group of 45.

The Bisikaan farmer group benefitted from an EU-funded programme called the Market Orientated Agriculture Programme (MOAP-implemeted by the GIZ in north west of Ghana; which is a savannah ecological zone = dry).

The Bisikaan Micro-Irrigation Scheme in Wa East (MOAP piloted x 5 schemes) allows the production of high-value vegetables all-year around on a one-acre fenced garden, encouraging collective action among women farmers.

The women have targeted the local market but also aim to serve the hotels and restaurants in Wa through an aggregator, who is also member of the community.

The collaboration with local aggregators facilitates better market access, improved pricing and stronger commercial relationship, therefore by boosting the overall economic health of the community (= Agriculture treated as a business).

Such an infrastructure, not only enables year-around cultivation of vegetable, but also improves food security and income stability for the women farmers – via the above-mentioned programme the EU-GIZ promotes economic independence.

Utilizing solar power for irrigation is a climate-smart solution that support resilience against climate change.