Fire destroys a 300-acre maize farm in the Mion District of the Northern Region
An over 300-acre maize farm belonging to Tibzaa Farms in Jimle in the Mion District of the Northern Region was destroyed by fire on Saturday, January 2, 2021.
The cause of the fire is unknown but many believe that the dry weather conditions might have triggered the fire outbreak.
It is estimated that the fire has caused losses of GHS 700,000.
A devastated General Manager for Tibzaa Farms, Alhaji Mahama Sintari in a media interview admitted that the loss is immeasurable.
“We have invested with our partners close to GHS 700,000 and out of that, 300 acres have been lost. That is quite substantial considering the Northern Region and how poverty is endemic. For me, that is a significant worry because this appears to be an annual event that occurs and farmers are left to throw their hands in the air. Something can be done among others like security agencies and the chiefs ensure that the by-laws in the country are enforced,” he lamented.
Alhaji Sintari further indicated that though several attempts were made to stop the fire, the efforts made proved futile.
He attributed the incident to the indiscriminate bush burning and called on the authorities to implement bylaws on bush burning during the harmattan season.
Alhaji Sintari says Tibzaa Farms which employs over 150 workers will need some government support to revive the businesses adding that more investment will be needed in the agriculture sector.
