Wa, Upper West Region, Ghana: A groundbreaking initiative is taking root in West Africa, spearheaded by the Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU) in Ghana. The university has joined forces with a consortium of regional partners to launch “AGRECOFARM,” an ambitious agroecology project aimed at revolutionizing agriculture and food systems across the sub-region.
The project, funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme, brings together five universities from Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, including Ghana’s University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR). Its core mission is to transform these institutions into vital knowledge hubs, fostering the skills and competencies necessary for a widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
AGRECOFARM will establish a cutting-edge Master of Science (MSc) programme in agroecology, focusing on crucial areas such as Precision Agriculture, Organic Crops/Plants Production, and Conservation Agriculture (CA) Land Preparation and Planting. Crucially, the project will also equip DHLTU with a state-of-the-art agroecological laboratory, providing the essential tools for delivering the MSc programme and conducting vital research. This facility aims to bridge the gap between traditional agricultural wisdom and the pressing ecological demands of the modern era.
In a significant step towards practical application, DHLTU will forge partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key stakeholders, including the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI), and the Agricultural Directorate. These collaborations will provide invaluable internship opportunities for AGRECOFARM’s MSc students.
Professor Hamidatu Darimani, the Project Coordinator at DHLTU, expressed optimism that AGRECOFARM would cultivate a more sustainable agricultural sector in Ghana and the wider West African region, particularly in the face of escalating climate change challenges. “Through this initiative, we aim to equip the next generation of farmers with Vocational and Education Training skills needed to build a resilient and sustainable food system whilst addressing pressing challenges of climate change,” she explained.
Professor Darimani emphasized that the active involvement of stakeholders in the project’s implementation is paramount to ensuring its success in shaping the future of agricultural practices across West Africa.
Stakeholders at the engagement voiced strong commitment to supporting the project, recognizing agroecology as a central pillar in the ongoing transformation of food systems aimed at tackling the global food crisis.
Mr Daniel Banuoku, the Deputy Director of CIKOD, hailed the project as timely, emphasizing its role in encouraging academics and researchers to actively promote agroecological practices. He noted that farmers have long practiced forms of agroecology based on observation and experience, stressing the critical need for research to scale up its adoption.
Mr Hudu Abu, the Upper West Regional Director of Agriculture, offered practical recommendations, suggesting the inclusion of CA equipment like no-till planters to make the agroecology laboratory truly comprehensive. He also highlighted the importance of fostering strong collaboration between the AGRECOFARM project and existing CA initiatives in the region, such as the CA component of the EU-Ghana Agricultural Programme (EU-GAP).
Looking to the future, lecturers at the University proposed the establishment of Bachelor of Science (BSc) programmes under the AGRECOFARM umbrella, aiming to make these crucial skills accessible to a wider student population.
The engagement brought together key players in the agricultural landscape, including the Wa Municipal Director of Agriculture and representatives from CSIR-SARI, all united in their commitment to fostering a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future for West Africa. The AGRECOFARM project represents a significant investment in the region’s ability to feed itself and navigate the challenges of a changing climate.
