New high-yield seed varieties show promise in boosting agriculture

Researchers at the University of Ghana's West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) have unveiled a series of high-yield and climate-smart seed varieties aimed at increasing productivity, enhancing food security and boosting agro-industrial development.

At a national symposium at the centre in Accra last Thursday, scientists announced promising breakthroughs in agricultural research, including new high-yield seed varieties aimed at transforming food systems and boosting national output.

The event, organised as part of activities to mark this year’s Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa (DSRA), was on the theme: “Seed to impact: Highlighting the journey from seed funding to tangible outcomes.”

It brought together top agricultural scientists, policymakers and researchers.

Presentations at the symposium showcased a wave of research breakthroughs, including the development of high-yield sorghum hybrids, improved maize varieties, smart cowpea seeds and climate-resilient rice.

These innovations were tailored to thrive under the country’s evolving climatic conditions, with the potential to significantly raise yields and reduce post-harvest losses.

Beyond grains, the symposium also presented work on the industrial use of cassava and the promotion of underutilised indigenous crops such as the frafra potato, which researchers are working to elevate to staple status. 

Efforts to transform the tomato value chain for year-round production were also presented, offering hope for reducing the country's dependency on imported tomato products.

The symposium demonstrated how science-backed innovation is directly improving farming practices and crop productivity across the country.

Tech-driven agric

The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Setor Dumelo, emphasised the critical role of efficiency, science and technology in transforming the nation’s agricultural sector to achieve food self-sufficiency and industrial growth.

He said that in spite of the country’s vast arable land, it lagged behind others with less land due to inefficiencies across the agricultural value chain.

“Efficiency starts with the whole value chain, right from the kind of soil, the soil tested by the corn, then to the kind of seeds and then also when to plant and what to plant, when to plant and what to plant, when to plant, you know. So it is important that we fund the researchers,” he said.

He stressed the importance of supporting institutions such as WACCI, which was instrumental in developing high-yield, disease-resistant crops and reducing the cost of production.

Mr Dumelo, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon and a farmer, further stated that government was committed to partnering with such research institutions to cut down national reliance on imported seeds and improve yields — citing recent breakthroughs like varieties yielding over 47 and 52 hectares per tonne as examples. 

Impact

The Director of WACCI, Professor Eric Y. Danquah, underscored the significant impact of two decades of investment in scientific research and capacity building.

He said the centre had successfully trained a generation of African scientists capable of developing improved crop varieties in real time.

These scientists, many of whom now lead agricultural research in their home countries, have released over 279 improved crop varieties across 10 African nations.

Prof. Danquah also revealed that alumni had collectively attracted over $62 million in research funding, demonstrating their global competitiveness.

“I'm happy to announce that the government has now operationalised the Ghana National Research Fund.

We are hoping that scientists can now access funding from the Fund so they can run with the ideas and then work towards delivering in real time,” he added.