October Rain in Daboase, Ghana

Agriculture is the lifeblood of Daboase [JS1] , a collection of rural villages in the Wassa East district of Ghana’s Western Region, about 40 km. from Takoradi.  According to Ghana’s 2020 census, over 70% of the district's 100,000 people rely on farming for their livelihoods.* Farmers cultivate cash crops such as cocoa, oil palm, rubber and coffee, as well as staple foods like cassava, plantain, maize, and cocoyam.  Additionally, vegetable farming of pepper, okra, and tomato plays a crucial role in supporting local diets and markets.

Livestock farming and timber harvesting also contribute to the local economy, but fishing along the Pra River, a major riverway in western Ghana, has all but vanished due to galamsey, or illegal gold mining, which has heavily polluted the river and destroyed its once-abundant aquatic life.

As a predominantly agricultural community, Daboase is dependent upon rainfall patterns. Changes in precipitation can have a significant impact on the success of farming seasons.

The light rains which came during the week ending 12th October – recorded by Veriground Weather Network’s station in Daboase as 21mm over the course of the week – were much welcomed.  Though modest, they continued the trend of light rain seen periodically almost every week since late-August, when a six-week dry spell ended.

Rain’s Role in Agricultural Activities

For farmers, even a modest amount of rain can be transformative, particularly after a mild drought as in in . The light but consistent rainfall in the second week of October made essential agricultural tasks much more manageable in the following ways:

• Watering: In the absence of well-developed irrigation systems, many smallholder farmers rely on rainfall to water their crops. The week’s showers provided much-needed moisture, allowing crops to thrive, particularly staple crops like cassava, maize, and plantain that require regular hydration to grow healthily.

• Weeding and Pruning: The softened soil made it easier for farmers to clear weeds and prune plants – essential tasks that help to maintain crop health and productivity. For crops such as cocoa and oil palm, pruning ensures that the plants receive sufficient sunlight and air circulation, which promotes better yields.

• Vegetables Planting: For many farmers, the onset of fall rains marks the beginning of the planting season for vegetable crops like pepper, okra, and tomato. The light rain made the ground more suitable for this planting, as these vegetables thrive in moist soil. Early planting gives these crops a head start before heavier rains or dry spells occur later in the season.

  
  

Tree Crop & Root Crop Harvesting: The gentle rains also aided in harvesting tree crops like cocoa and oil palm, as they made it easier to handle the soil and reduced the dust which usually accompanies dry weather. Harvesting in damp conditions also means less damage to root crops like cassava and cocoyam, which ensures better quality produce.

Relief from the Heat

While the late-summer / early-fall rains in Daboase bring clear agricultural benefits, the impact extends beyond the fields. In tropical, rural areas like this, where access to air conditioning is limited, weather changes have a profound impact on people’s comfort and well-being. The past week’s rain, with its cooler temperatures and higher humidity level, brought relief from the hot, dry weather that had scorched the land in the dry season. This provides a break for both farmers in the fields and the general population, improving comfort and overall well-being for the population of Daboase.

*Composite Budget Ministry of Finance – Wassa East District for 2020 -2023, pub. 15-Feb-2024