Farmers in northern Ghana face several challenges, including climate change, drought, and limited access to financing and agricultural inputs. The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative is working to address these challenges by developing and scaling sustainable agronomy solutions.
Recently, the EiA Initiative held a three-day workshop in Tamale, Ghana, to identify bottlenecks and enablers for scaling innovative agronomy solutions in the maize and soybean value chains. The workshop brought together local demand and scaling partners and value chain actors from the maize and soybean industries.
One of the key findings of the workshop was the need for climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. CSA practices are designed to help farmers reduce their vulnerability to climate change and produce more food despite drought and other challenges.
Another key finding was the need for user-friendly, location-specific digital advisory services. These services can help farmers access the information and advice they need to make informed decisions about their farming practices.
The workshop also highlighted the need for improved access to financing and agricultural inputs. Farmers in northern Ghana often need help accessing the resources they need to invest in new technologies and practices.
The EiA Initiative is working with partners to address these challenges and develop sustainable agronomy solutions to benefit northern Ghana’s farmers. The initiative is also working to ensure that these solutions are user-centric and responsive to the needs of farmers.
Here are some of the ways that farmers in northern Ghana can benefit from the new agronomic solutions being developed by the EiA Initiative:
- Increased productivity and profitability: The new agronomy solutions are designed to help farmers increase their yields and reduce costs. This will lead to higher profits for farmers and more food for consumers.
- Improved resilience to climate change: The new agronomy solutions will help farmers adapt to climate change and produce more food despite drought and other challenges.
- Better access to information and advice: The new digital advisory services will help farmers access the information and advice they need to make informed decisions about their farming practices.
- Improved access to financing and agricultural inputs: The EiA Initiative is working with partners to improve access to financing and agricultural inputs for farmers in northern Ghana. This will help farmers to invest in new technologies and practices.
- The EiA Initiative is committed to working with farmers in northern Ghana to develop and implement sustainable agronomy solutions that will help them increase productivity and profitability while also adapting to climate change.
In addition, participants identified the need to involve more youth and female representatives in future workshops and committee efforts. This will help to ensure that agronomic services remain user-centric and responsive and achieve informed consent.
The EiA Initiative is committed to working with farmers in northern Ghana to develop and implement sustainable agronomy solutions that will help them increase productivity and profitability while also adapting to climate change.
What does this mean for farmers in northern Ghana?
The workshop in Tamale was a significant step in identifying and addressing the challenges farmers face in scaling sustainable agronomy solutions. Demand and scaling partners will use the insights gained from the workshop to develop and implement programs that help farmers to:
- Adopt climate-smart agriculture practices
- Access user-friendly digital advisory services
- Obtain financing and agricultural inputs
The EiA Initiative is also working to create new institutional arrangements and conditions that foster co-investment in sustainable agronomy solutions. This will help to ensure that farmers have the resources they need to scale these solutions and achieve their full potential.
How can farmers get involved?
Farmers in northern Ghana can get involved in the EiA Initiative by contacting their local agricultural extension office or visiting the EiA website. The EiA Initiative is also working to develop a digital platform that will connect farmers with the resources and support they need to scale sustainable agronomy solutions.
The EiA Initiative is committed to working with farmers in northern Ghana to create a more sustainable and prosperous future. By working together, we can ensure that all farmers have the opportunity to succeed.
About the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative
The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative was launched in 2020 to improve outcomes for smallholder farmers amidst climate change. EiA is supported by the CGIAR Big Data Platform and will combine big data analytics, new sensing technologies, geospatial decision tools, and farming systems research to come up with scalable agronomic innovations for agricultural development. The initiative is not only responding to demand from the public and private sector but will also help increase efficiencies through stronger collaboration and cross-learning among CGIAR centers and within the broader agronomy R&D ecosystem. More information can be found on the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy website. Follow the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy (EiA) Initiative on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, for updates and information.
Media Contact:
Barbra Sehlule Muzata
CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative
