In Nyankpala, Ghana – for a significant boost in agricultural research and development (R&D), the Excellence in Breeding (EiB)’s Crops to End Hunger (CtEH) Project has officially handed over a newly constructed seed processing unit and rehabilitated irrigation facilities to the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The seed processing unit consisted of a Cold room, seed processing area, seed moisture meters, and seed counters. In addition, a John Deere 90hp tractor with a planter and thresher was also handed over to the institute to promote research activities. To facilitate off-season breeding activities, the project also rehabilitated a 6-hectare irrigation field equipped with an electric pump. The inauguration ceremony took place on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the institute’s headquarters in Nyankpala.
The technical trainings and infrastructure development provided by the EiB – CtEH Project aim to enhance CSIR-SARI’s capacity in breeding and agricultural research, postharvest seed processing and storage, and year-round mechanized irrigation farming. The project’s overall focus is to strengthen the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in key support areas such as irrigation infrastructure, mechanization equipment, seed processing and storage equipment, as well as solar power solutions.
During the ceremony, representatives from the EiB-CtEH project emphasized the critical role of these investments in addressing the challenges faced by CSIR-SARI in seed processing and storage, irrigation and water management, and mechanization. The 6-ton capacity seed cold room provided will significantly improve seed and germplasm preservation and quality. Additionally, the irrigation system will enhance year-round breeder seed production and speed up research into the development of new crop varieties. The newly acquired tractor with implements is expected to improve farm-level efficiency, especially in land preparation, planting, and postharvest operations such as threshing.
The Director of CSIR-SARI, Dr. Francis Kusi, receiving the facilities on behalf of the institute, expressed deep appreciation to the EiB-CtEH team for their continued support. “These facilities are a groundbreaking development for our work. With improved seed storage, better irrigation, and mechanization, we are better positioned to provide innovative solutions for farmers,” he said.
Dr. Ramson Adombilla, a key focal person for the project, highlighted the extensive stakeholder engagement and technical evaluations that informed the choice of infrastructure support provided by the project. “This support will not only improve research activities but will also contribute to the sustainable agricultural development of the northern region,” he stated.
The event was attended by key representatives of the EiB-CtEH project, including Yacouba Ouattara, Breeding Operation Support Specialist for West and Central Africa; Alice Kabeja, Breeding Operations Support Manager for West and Central Africa; and Vinicius Pereira da Rocha, Global Breeding Operation Support Manager at CGIAR System Organization. They reiterated their commitment to strengthening research infrastructure and supporting CSIR-SARI in delivering cutting-edge solutions for agriculture in Ghana.
As part of sustainability measures, the institute plans to implement centralized operations, periodic refresher training for key staff, and regular maintenance of the facilities. However, recommendations for future collaboration and support include the provision of irrigation scheduling tools and water monitoring systems for the irrigation facility, adopting sustainable and low-cost energy solutions such as solar power, and expanding support to CSIR-SARI’s outstations.
The inauguration marks another milestone in CSIR-SARI’s mission to advance agricultural research and support farmers with cutting-edge technologies. With continued collaborations, the institute is poised to play a pivotal role in improving food security and agricultural resilience in Ghana.
The Chairman of the CSIR-SARI Management Board, Rev. Dr. Mathias Fosu, who graced the occasion, thanked the EiB-CtEH team for the support and tasked the CSIR-SARI staff to put the facility into good use and maintain a stringent maintenance culture to ensure that the facility would continue to serve the institute for a long time to come.
