Following the recent signing of a partnership agreement aimed at enhancing agricultural innovation and capacity building in Northern Ghana, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has taken significant steps to operationalize the collaboration. On August 26, 2024, a delegation from CSIR-SARI paid courtesy visits to two key partners: Tamale Technical University (TaTU) and the Association of Church-based Development NGOs (ACDEP).

The CSIR-SARI team, led by Partnership Manager Alhaji Abdul-Razak Mohammed, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Dr. Prince Maxwell Etwire, and Public Relations Officer Mr. Wilhelm Nomu Kutah, engaged in fruitful discussions with both institutions to explore areas of collaboration and reinforce the newly established partnerships.

At Tamale Technical University, the delegation met with senior faculty members, including Dr. Askia Mohammed and Mr. Ma-Azu Jalil, to discuss how CSIR-SARI and TaTU can work together to enhance practical agricultural training. Building on TaTU’s strong focus on practical education, CSIR-SARI proposed several initiatives, including the establishment of a mini-technology park on the university’s campus. This facility would serve as a hands-on learning environment, enabling students to gain valuable experience with modern agricultural technologies. The possibility of co-supervising student theses and organizing seminars and industrial attachments was also discussed as a means of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

In the afternoon, the CSIR-SARI team visited the ACDEP Secretariat in Tamale, where they were received by Executive Director Mr. Malex Alebikiya. The meeting highlighted ACDEP’s extensive experience in agricultural development, particularly in linking smallholder farmers to markets and service providers. Discussions centered on potential collaboration in organizing technology fairs, which would expose beneficiaries of ACDEP’s programs, especially women involved in the RING II intervention, to the latest agricultural innovations. The possibility of joint efforts in grant sourcing to support development projects was also explored.

These courtesy visits mark an important step in actualizing the objectives outlined in the partnership agreement signed earlier this year. By strengthening ties with key institutions like TaTU and ACDEP, CSIR-SARI is laying the groundwork for impactful collaborations that will drive agricultural innovation and sustainable development across Northern Ghana.

As CSIR-SARI continues to work closely with its partners, the institute remains committed to enhancing the agricultural sector through research, innovation, and capacity building. The ongoing discussions and proposed initiatives are expected to significantly benefit farmers, students, and agricultural professionals, ultimately contributing to the overall development of the region.