Sustainable Agriculture in Ghana: German Development Cooperation and EU Delegation Ghana unveil Conservation Agriculture Training Manual for Ghana .

In a move to tackle the challenges posed by climate change on Ghana's agricultural landscape, the German Development Cooperation and European Union in Ghana (EU Ghana) has unveiled a comprehensive manual aimed at training and building the capacities of agriculture extension agents. The manual focuses on Conservation Agriculture, offering standardized and effective climate-smart farming methods and practices for the Savannah regions of Ghana. This collaboration between the EU, BMZ, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), is set to empower over 2,000 extension agents with the knowledge they need to support farmers in adapting to the changing climate.

Acknowledging the importance of the manual, German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull said, “it represents a step towards building the capacity of smallholder farmers to adapt to resilient practices against climate change”. Recognising climate change as a present reality, Ambassador Krull stressed the importance of taking pragmatic steps towards addressing its impacts. “Climate Change is no longer a risk but a reality, there is enormous sense of urgency. We will be judged from whether we moved from drafting papers to taking action,” he said. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony during the EU Climate Diplomacy Week in Accra, he pointed out the need to prioritize women in initiatives promoting efficient natural resource management and affirming their central role in ensuring sustainability.

Participants at the event which was held at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) of the University of Ghana, included members of the diplomatic corps, the academia, researchers and farmers’ groups.

Conservation Agriculture is a holistic set of soil management practices designed to minimize soil structure disturbance, conserve soil water, and enhance biodiversity. This approach seeks to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and ensure the long-term resilience of Ghana's farming communities. The manual has been integrated into the curriculum for training extension agents in five agriculture colleges and contains a wealth of knowledge and best practices essential to the practice of sustainable agriculture techniques.

Mr. Jonas Claes, Deputy Head of Mission, EU Ghana, emphasized the negative impact of the global climate crisis on Ghana’s agriculture sector, necessitating sustainable farming practices to build resilience and improve production. He stressed the EU's commitment to supporting Ghana in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, marking the unveiling of the manual as a significant milestone in this collaborative effort. Mr Claes explained the practicality of the manual, designed to equip agriculture extension agents with standardized and climate-smart methods for the Savannah regions of Ghana. “I am proud to say that the manual is practical and provides useful tips and guidelines to extension officers so they can, in turn, provide their knowledge to smallholder farmers,” he added.

By empowering extension agents with the knowledge and tools needed for climate-smart farming, BMZ, the EU, and MoFA are contributing to the resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector. As Ghana takes steps to adapt to the changing climate, this initiative sets a precedent for future endeavours in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

Mr. Kingsley Kwasi Agyeman, Climate Change and Management Specialist at MoFA, underlined the vulnerability of Ghana's agriculture to climate change, primarily due to its dependence on rainfall farming. He pointed out the far-reaching consequences, including reduced crop yields, increased post-harvest losses, low farm income, and migration. However, he reassured that the Ministry is actively addressing these challenges through the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) programme.

The CSA programme ensures the integration of climate-smart practices into the Ministry's activities at the farm level, aligning with the broader national Food Security policy. This broad approach aims to build resilience, improve yields, and enhance the overall sustainability of Ghana's agricultural sector in the face of climate change.

The manual was developed as part of the Resilience Against Climate Change (REACH) project, co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the REACH project is working towards climate resilience in agricultural production and enhancing livelihoods in North West Ghana. The project focuses on building capacities for the widespread adoption of Conservation Agriculture (CA) and implementing climate-resilient planning systems, spanning from community to district levels.

The Conservation Agriculture Training Manual can be downloaded here.