By Kodjo Adams
Accra, Nov. 15, GNA – Reverend Professor Hans Adu-Dapaah, Vice President of the CSIR College of Science and Technology, has called for the establishment of a national framework to promote precision agriculture and a bio-circular economy in Ghana.
In a lecture delivered during the founder’s week celebration organized by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in Accra, Prof. Adu-Dapaah said that such a framework would provide essential guidelines, standards, and incentives to encourage the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies, as well as create new employment opportunities in the sector.
Speaking on the topic, “Precision Agriculture and Circular Economy Strategies,” he said there was the need for increased investment in education and training.
Prof. Adu-Dapaah called for the development of specialized programmes at agricultural colleges and universities to equip students with the skills needed to drive those advancements.
Precision agriculture, he explained, enabled more efficient use of resources, reducing waste and boosting productivity.
At the same time, circular economy principles ensure that agricultural waste is repurposed, contributing to sustainability and resilience within the sector.
Prof. Adu-Dapaah also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships and enhanced access to finance to support the implementation of precision agriculture and bio-circular economy initiatives.
He advocated for the strengthening of digital infrastructure, including rural broadband and mobile networks, to facilitate the integration of modern technologies into agriculture.
Prof. Adu-Dapaah warned that as global populations grew and climate change intensifies, the agricultural sector would face increased pressure to produce more food with fewer resources.
Agriculture in Ghana, he noted, currently suffered from low productivity due to several challenges, including declining soil fertility, droughts, flooding, and the broader impacts of climate change.
Prof. Adu-Dapaah pointed out the need for the adoption of technologies associated with the fourth industrial revolution, which aimed to enhance sustainable agriculture and ensure food and nutrition security.
These technologies, he said, can optimize environmental conditions for crop yield, quality, and energy efficiency.
Prof. Adu-Dapaah also encouraged the use of cutting-edge technologies such as smart irrigation, solar power, remote sensing, and drones to maximize the benefits of precision agriculture for the country’s development.
He urged the youth to take advantage of sustainable initiatives like the Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), which offerred a closed-loop system that conserves water, repurposes fish waste to nourish plants, and supports long-term fish stock sustainability.
The RAS system, he noted, could be a valuable source of employment and self-sufficiency.
Despite challenges such as high initial costs, a skills gap, and a lack of infrastructure, Prof. Adu-Dapaah said that precision agriculture held significant benefits, including improved efficiency, environmental protection, and enhanced decision-making for farmers.
GNA