Ghana is increasingly experiencing the adverse effects of climate change, with erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells disrupting agricultural production. These changes have significantly affected food security, particularly in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Bono, Bono East, Oti, and parts of the Ashanti and Western North Regions, where crop failure and water scarcity have become common. A recent assessment revealed that 1.71 million people have been impacted by the drought, with 1.04 million severely affected.
To respond to this crisis, RACED Ghana, in collaboration with World Vision Ghana, organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in the Zabzugu District. The training aimed to equip key stakeholders with knowledge and skills to help farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices and build resilience against climate change.
Objectives of the Training
The 4-day intensive training, held at the World Vision Area Programme Office in Zabzugu, sought to:
- Enhance knowledge of climate-smart agricultural practices among key stakeholders, including district agricultural officers, local community-based organizations (CBOs), and district assembly staff.
- Promote sustainable and efficient farming techniques that improve productivity while conserving natural resources.
- Empower trained participants to serve as trainers in their respective communities, ensuring that climate-smart knowledge reaches the most affected farmers.
- Improve food security and livelihoods by equipping farmers with techniques to mitigate drought effects.
The training was expertly facilitated by Dr. Edwin K. Akley (Ph.D) from The Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), a leading expert in sustainable farming practices.
Key Topics Covered During the Training
During the training, participants were introduced to a range of critical topics designed to help them support farmers in adapting to the realities of climate change.
1. Conservation Agriculture
Participants learned about minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop rotation, which are key conservation techniques that help maintain soil fertility and moisture retention.
2. Efficient Irrigation and Agricultural Water Management
Given the water shortages in affected communities, the training covered efficient irrigation techniques to optimize water use while ensuring sustainable agricultural production.
3. Promoting Diversified Farming and Cropping Systems
Diversified farming techniques were emphasized as a way to reduce risk and increase resilience against climate variability. Participants were introduced to Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices that improve soil health.
4. Climate Service Information
Farmers need reliable climate data to plan their activities effectively. The training introduced participants to methods of accessing and utilizing weather forecasts and climate information to optimize planting and harvesting periods.
5. Understanding Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM)
This session focused on ISFM processes, technologies, and best practices relevant to the Guinea and Sudan Savanna agroecological zones of Ghana, where soil degradation is a major challenge.
6. Promoting Improved Climate-Smart Crop Varieties and Seeds
The use of drought-resistant and high-yield crop varieties was promoted as a key strategy for improving agricultural productivity in water-stressed areas.
7. Climate-Smart Livestock Production
Given the high livestock mortality rate due to lack of water, pasture, and disease outbreaks, participants were trained on sustainable livestock management practices.
8. Climate-Smart Pest Management (CSPM)
With unpredictable weather patterns leading to increased pest infestations, participants learned about integrated pest management strategies to protect crops from climate-related pest outbreaks.
Trainers Taking Climate-Smart Agriculture to Farming Communities
After completing the training, the newly trained agriculture officers, district assembly staff, and CBO members immediately put their knowledge into action. They were deployed to five beneficiary farming communities—Zokurli, Saakolinga Baani, Tashindo No. 1, Tashindo No. 2, and Mongoasi—to train local farmers on climate-smart agricultural techniques.
Farmers in these drought-affected areas were engaged in practical demonstrations on:
✅ Soil conservation techniques to reduce erosion and retain soil moisture.
✅ Water-saving irrigation methods to ensure efficient use of limited water resources.
✅ Use of improved, drought-resistant seeds to enhance productivity.
✅ Livestock management strategies to mitigate losses due to feed and water shortages.
The hands-on training sessions empowered farmers with practical solutions to help them cope with current drought conditions and prepare for future challenges.
Impact and Next Steps
This initiative is a critical step in ensuring long-term food security and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana’s drought-affected regions. By training community-based trainers, RACED Ghana and World Vision Ghana are ensuring that climate-smart agricultural knowledge spreads across multiple communities, benefiting thousands of farmers.
Moving forward, RACED Ghana will:
📌 Continue monitoring and supporting trained farmers in implementing climate-smart practices.
📌 Work with local government and CBOs to scale up these trainings in more communities.
📌 Advocate for policy interventions to integrate climate-smart agriculture into Ghana’s national agriculture strategy.
Conclusion
With climate change threatening food security, initiatives like this Climate-Smart Agriculture training are essential for empowering farmers, enhancing resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices. Through knowledge-sharing and collaboration, we can help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions, protect their livelihoods, and ensure food security for future generations.
