Climate-smart farming in revitalising agriculture in Northern Ghana

In recent years, Ghana's agriculture sector has faced numerous challenges, particularly in the northern regions, where recent droughts have severely impacted food production. 

The northern part of the country, once a breadbasket for essential crops like tomatoes, onions and peppers, and all varieties of cereals, now faces diminished yields.

Compounding this issue, the recent political instability or regime change in Burkina Faso, a key supplier of vegetables to Ghana, has further strained the nation’s agricultural supply chains.

The termination or drastic reduction of cross-border imports has highlighted an urgent need for Ghana to re-evaluate its agricultural strategies and increase local production to reduce dependency on foreign markets.

As the 2024 Election year approaches, both major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have prioritised agricultural reform in their manifestos.

The NDC, in particular, has emphasised agricultural intensification, proposing the establishment of farmers' resource centres across all districts to boost production and support local farmers.

While these policies are promising, collaboration with innovative, community-based initiatives such as Smart Farmers Ghana could be the key to transforming these policies into long-term, sustainable agricultural solutions.

Role, climate-smart agriculture

Smart Farmers Ghana is a dynamic, community-driven initiative that provides comprehensive, climate-smart farming solutions to local farmers, particularly in the most drought-prone regions.

By offering a holistic suite of services, including advanced machinery, solar-powered irrigation systems, expert training and financial support, Smart Farmers Ghana is revolutionising the agricultural landscape.

These services are designed to help farmers adopt sustainable practices that not only increase crop yields but also enhance resilience against climate change and environmental degradation.

In Northern Ghana, where droughts have become increasingly frequent, traditional farming practices are proving inadequate.

Smart Farmers Ghana's cutting-edge technologies, such as precision farming tools and smart irrigation systems, are addressing these challenges head-on. 

Their solar-powered irrigation systems, for example, seek to provide farmers with reliable water access during the dry season, enabling year-round cultivation and reducing reliance on erratic rainfall patterns.

Local agricultural production

With the disruption in vegetable imports from Burkina Faso, Ghana now faces an acute shortage of essential products like tomatoes, peppers and onions.

This crisis underscores the critical need for Ghana to develop its local agricultural capacity, especially in the northern regions, where the potential for mechanised, climate-smart farming is vast but underutilised.

Mechanised farming, combined with climate-smart solutions, can turn this crisis into an opportunity. By scaling up production through technologies provided by Smart Farmers Ghana, the country can meet its domestic food needs even during the dry season.

This not only ensures food security but also strengthens the agricultural economy, creating jobs and boosting incomes for rural farmers.

Political will, collaboration

The agricultural policies proposed by the NDC, including the creation of farmers' resource centres, are a step in the right direction.

These centres could serve as hubs where farmers access essential tools, training and technologies to modernise their practices.

However, to maximise the impact of these policies, collaboration with specialised organisations like Smart Farmers Ghana is crucial.

By integrating Smart Farmers Ghana’s expertise in precision farming and climate-resilient technologies into government programmes, the proposed farmers' resource centres could offer cutting-edge solutions.

Solar-powered irrigation systems, for instance, would be a game-changer for farmers in drought-affected areas while access to high-tech machinery would enable them to cultivate larger areas with less labour.

Additionally, the financial support provided by Smart Farmers Ghana would allow smallholder farmers to invest in these technologies, overcoming one of the key barriers to modernising agriculture in the region.

Such a partnership would not only bolster Ghana’s food production but also position the country as a leader in climate-smart agriculture within West Africa.

The government's goals of expanding agricultural output, improving food security and ensuring environmental sustainability align perfectly with the mission of Smart Farmers Ghana.

Together, they could create a resilient agricultural sector that withstands the pressures of climate change while fostering economic growth in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.

The effects of climate change on agriculture are undeniable, particularly in regions like Northern Ghana, where the land and communities are already susceptible to extreme weather events. However, by adopting climate-smart farming practices, Ghana can mitigate these effects and build a more resilient agricultural sector.

Solar-powered irrigation, precision farming tools and advanced machinery are just a few of the innovations that can help farmers navigate the challenges posed by erratic weather patterns and prolonged dry seasons.

With the 2024 Elections on the horizon, the NDC and NPP must not only prioritise agriculture in their manifestoes but also recognise the importance of public-private collaborations.

The introduction of climate-smart agricultural technologies, as championed by Smart Farmers Ghana, will be instrumental in realising their policy objectives and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s agriculture.

The importance of climate-smart farming cannot be overstated, particularly in Northern Ghana, where food security has been undermined by recent droughts and geopolitical disruptions.

Smart Farmers Ghana is leading the way with innovative solutions that are already transforming local farming practices.

As the government looks to revitalise the agriculture sector through proposed policies and resource centres, collaboration offers a proven path to achieving enhanced yields, greater environmental resilience and a sustainable future for Ghana’s farmers.

This partnership could mark a new chapter for Ghana’s agricultural sector, ensuring that the country can produce enough food for its people, no matter the season, no matter the climate.
 
The writer is the CEO, 
Smart Farmers Ghana.
E-mail: memehben1@gmail.com