In May 2025, the CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), in partnership with the RICOWAS Project and the Agribusiness Facility for Africa, undertook a series of strategic training workshops to build the capacities of key actors along the rice value chain. These workshops, held in Nyankpala and Navrongo, focused on agribusiness management, entrepreneurship, and institutional strengthening to promote climate-resilient and market-oriented rice production.
From May 6 to 9, CSIR-SARI hosted a four-day Master Training workshop at its headquarters in Nyankpala for 17 trainers and extension agents (15 men and 2 women). Facilitated by Dr. Prince Etwire Maxwell and Alhaji Mohammed Abdul Razak, the training covered four core modules: Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship, where participants learned to shift from subsistence to commercial farming by identifying opportunities, understanding market dynamics, and developing enterprise plans; Finance, Record-Keeping, and the Business Cycle, which introduced daily farm records, cost-benefit analysis, budgeting, and explored the seed value chain from production to certification and marketing; Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA), focusing on practical group formation, fund management, and digital tools to enhance savings transparency; and Gender Equity, which addressed resource access disparities and encouraged inclusion of women and youth through experience sharing and debate.
Building on this momentum, two additional training workshops were held for Farmer-Based Organization (FBO) leaders and facilitators—first at CSIR-SARI’s Conference Hall in Nyankpala from May 26–27, and subsequently at the Catholic Guesthouse in Navrongo from May 29–30. A total of 61 participants (44 men, 17 women) were trained in Nyankpala and 37 (22 men, 15 women) in Navrongo. These sessions—also facilitated by Dr. Etwire and Alhaji Abdul Razak—delved into key topics including strengthening farmer associations and cooperatives, group dynamics, financing rice business enterprises, identifying business opportunities along the rice value chain, rice marketing, and financial management.
The facilitators employed a variety of interactive training methods including PowerPoint presentations, agriculture storyboard visuals, role play, group work, and practical exercises. Participants received comprehensive training materials, including manuals and note cards, and were encouraged to engage in peer-to-peer learning and discussions. Each training session was designed not only to inform but to empower participants to replicate the training within their communities, with a commitment to step down the knowledge to over 100 smallholder farmers.
Together, these capacity-building efforts underscore CSIR-SARI’s commitment to strengthening the entire rice ecosystem—from field to market—by equipping farmers, facilitators, and extension agents with the practical tools, business skills, and inclusive approaches needed to drive sustainable agricultural transformation in Northern Ghana.