CSIR-Ghana Encourages Northern Farmers to Embrace Technologically-Driven Crop Varieties

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-Ghana) has urged farmers in northern Ghana to adopt technologically-driven crop varieties to enhance their yields. This recommendation was highlighted during a one-day workshop in Zebilla, Bawku West District, Upper East Region.

The workshop gathered farmers and agricultural researchers to discuss best practices for improving crop cultivation amidst the challenges posed by climate change, which has significantly impacted farmers in the region and nationwide. Additionally, the event assessed and evaluated the impact of specific crop varieties introduced to a select group of farmers from the Bawku West District two years prior.

Dr. Matilda Bissah, Division Head for Plant Genetic Diversity at CSIR-Ghana, shared insights with the Ghanaian Times. She explained that two farmers’ groups in the district were trained and provided with seeds under a project named “Germplasm,” a component of the Seeds for Resilience (SfR) project. This initiative is a collaboration between the Ghana Genebank and the Global Crop Diversity Trust, funded by the Federal Government of Germany (BMZ) through the German Development Bank.

Dr. Bissah highlighted that the project aims to foster effective collaborations to conserve and utilize the genetic resources of Bambara Groundnut (BGN) and Indigenous Leafy Vegetables in the region. “Ultimately, this partnership approach is expected to enhance the availability of these seeds for direct use by farmers and the development of climate-resilient crop varieties, thereby improving livelihoods and ensuring food and nutrition security at household and community levels,” she stated.

Dr. Patrick Attamah, a plant breeder at CSIR-Ghana, noted that farmers had selected five out of twenty accessions for further production in Zebilla communities. “Our objective of reintroducing the genebank to farmers has been achieved, and we hope they will continue to produce the selected accessions, increasing Bambara production in the Upper East Region,” he remarked.

Charles Abagre, a farmer from Naraansag, one of the beneficiary communities, praised CSIR-SARI for implementing the project. He reported a significant harvest increase since adopting the new crop varieties two years ago.