The Indigenous Crops for Resilient African Food Systems (ICRAFS) Project is an ambitious and essential collaboration between the Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy Studies (BICEPS) in Latvia and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) in Ghana. With funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, this project is committed to strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Ghana, specifically in the face of the region’s increasing vulnerability to climate change.
As climate impacts intensify, traditional agricultural systems are under pressure, and Ghana is no exception. Over 70% of Ghana’s population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods, yet smallholder farmers—who form the backbone of the country’s food production—face severe climate-related challenges, including unpredictable rainfall, soil degradation, and crop loss. In response, ICRAFS seeks to introduce seed-saving and conservation practices used successfully in Latvia to improve the resilience of indigenous Ghanaian crops. This adaptation supports Ghana’s agriculture by encouraging biodiversity and preserving crop varieties that are naturally suited to the local environment. The project aims to empower farmers and plant breeders by equipping them with knowledge and tools to cultivate resilient crop varieties, thereby enhancing food systems for sustainable production under changing climatic conditions.
ICRAFS operates as part of a broader initiative, Building Digital Education of Indigenous/Heritage Crops for the Resilience of African Food Systems in the Climate Crisis. This overarching project is a multi-year effort with the long-term goal of creating resilient, community-led food systems across Africa, starting with Ghana. The focus is not only on transferring Latvian seed-saving technologies but also on fostering an enduring exchange of knowledge that respects and preserves indigenous agricultural heritage.
CSIR-SARI, working alongside Farmerline, a Ghanaian social enterprise renowned for its digital agricultural solutions, will deliver comprehensive e-extension services directly to farmers. These services include training in seed storage techniques, pest management, understanding the pollination of indigenous crops, and employing regenerative farming practices. The initiative recognizes the importance of genetic diversity and resilience in crops, particularly in a climate that can vary dramatically from one season to the next. Through these training modules, farmers will gain practical skills that promote crop diversity and resilience, offering a safeguard against crop failure.
An innovative aspect of the project is Farmerline’s use of digital technology to share knowledge efficiently and inclusively. Farmerline will adapt educational content into four local languages, ensuring accessibility for diverse communities. Leveraging their Mergdata platform, Farmerline will use interactive voice response (IVR) technology to reach up to 10,000 farmers, enabling farmers even in remote areas to receive valuable agricultural information. This digital outreach will include a shortcode system allowing farmers to record and share their indigenous practices and knowledge, creating a community-driven knowledge archive for future generations. This approach emphasizes the value of local agricultural expertise, which will be preserved digitally, contributing to a living repository of indigenous knowledge on resilient farming practices.
The ICRAFS project is not only about agricultural resilience but also about cultural preservation. By supporting smallholder farmers in maintaining indigenous crop varieties, the project upholds Ghanaian cultural heritage, recognizing the importance of these traditional varieties in local diets and economies. Additionally, field studies and documentation of Latvia’s development cooperation practices in Ghana will contribute to academic and practical publications, enriching global discourse on sustainable agriculture in climate-vulnerable regions.
Through this collaboration, BICEPS and CSIR-SARI aim to establish a sustainable framework for agricultural resilience. Latvian expertise in seed conservation is integrated with Ghanaian indigenous practices, building a model that can be replicated across other regions facing similar challenges. This cross-cultural and technological exchange holds promise not only for Ghana’s food security but for the resilience of African agriculture.
Storymap: https://www.mantots.permakultura.lv/en/isuma-par-seklu-lolosanu
Module 1: https://www.mantots.permakultura.lv/en/10-lekcijas-seklu-lolosana