The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of organizations to promote technology transfer in agriculture across Ghana.
The consortium includes the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), CORAF Innovation Research Extension and Advisory Coordination Hub (iREACH), the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale Technical University, and Damongo Agricultural College. Additionally, this strategic partnership includes seed companies such as Puzuri Group of Companies, Agriaccess Ghana Limited, Alhaji Mushud Farms, and Brakatu Farms Limited, along with the NGO Association of Church-based Development Project.
This five-year partnership agreement is designed to scale up the implementation of highly productive and commercially viable technologies developed by CSIR-SARI and its partners, thereby advancing agriculture and agribusiness in the country. The initiative is backed by the World Bank through its Food Systems Resilience Project, the United States Agency for International Development, and Kansas State University.
Dr. Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI, highlighted that CSIR-SARI has consistently developed and disseminated improved crop varieties such as maize, rice, cowpea, soybeans, and potatoes. Despite collaborations with various educational institutions and NGOs, these partnerships had not been formalized until now. The MoU establishes a structured framework to address critical challenges like low crop yields, food insecurity, and limited farmer knowledge of sustainable practices.
Professor Marian Dorcas Quain, Deputy Director-General of CSIR, emphasized the organization’s readiness to revolutionize the agricultural sector through strategic partnerships, aiming for enhanced food security, job creation, youth development, and improved livelihoods. She noted that the MoU is a significant step towards improving the seed supply system, granting partners access to disease- and drought-resistant seed varieties, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and reducing the need for importing hybrid seeds, potentially cutting farmers’ costs by 30%.
Dr. Jonas Osei-Adu, CORAF iREACH Development Manager, outlined that a Management Committee, with representatives from each partner organization, will be established to facilitate decision-making and project execution. Planned initiatives include the development of the CSIR-SARI Technology Park and hosting field days to showcase innovations in hybrid seeds.
Alhaji Mohammed Nuhu Adams, Principal of Damongo Agricultural College, stated that the partnership would not only increase the visibility of various technologies but also foster innovation among students.
This MoU marks a significant milestone in strengthening agricultural practices and ensuring sustainable development in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
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