By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Wa, (UW/R), Nov. 25, GNA – The Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU) in Wa has launched an agroecological laboratory to promote the study and practice of agroecology in the Upper West Region, Ghana, and across West Africa.
The initiative formed part of the “Agricultural Farming Master Programme for Sustainable Agriculture in West Africa (AGRECOFARM)” project, funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme to advance agroecology in the sub-region.
Under the project, a Master of Science (MSc) programme in agroecology had been developed, focusing on Precision Agriculture, Organic Crop and Plant Production, and Conservation Agriculture (CA) land preparation and planting.
The programme would also introduce vocational and education training (VET) short courses for farmers, educators, students, and other interested persons to enhance entrepreneurial skills in agroecology.
The newly commissioned agroecological laboratory was equipped with tools and devices to support the MSc programme and research activities to help bridge the gap between traditional agricultural practices and modern ecological approaches.
Equipment in the laboratory included soil sampling and testing kits, precision agriculture tools, and a drone, among others.
Professor Hamidatu Saaka Darimani, Vice-Chancellor of DHLTU, launched the facility with support from project partners in the region during an Agroecology Info Day and Internship Fair held at the university.
The event brought together representatives from Non-governmental Organisations and research institutions to offer students the opportunity to engage with potential mentors and employers.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Darimani said the AGRECOFARM project would strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and development partners in advancing sustainable agriculture in Ghana.
She noted that agroecology had the potential to restore degraded soils, conserve biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and empower farming communities.
“Agroecology teaches us that the future of agriculture lies not in exhausting our natural resources, but in working harmoniously with nature, strengthening biodiversity, rebuilding soils and empowering communities”, she said.
Prof. Darimani added that the project had an internship component to enable students acquire practical experience and skills to prepare them for meaningful careers in the field.
Mr Huudu Abu, the Upper West Regional Director of Agriculture, commended DHLTU for championing agroecological research in the region and expressed hope that the equipment would be put to effective use.
He said climate change mitigation and adaptation were integral to the project and expressed optimism that it would train young people to be climate-sensitive.
Mr Ibreahim Hashim, a Research Scientist with the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), expressed hope that nurturing young people’s interest in agroecology would promote its adoption.
He gave the assurance that CSIR-SARI would partner DHLTU on the project to ensure its success.
Mr Daniel Banuoku, Deputy Director of the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), observed that though global trends were shifting toward agroecology, its advocacy continued to face resistance.
He lauded DHLTU’s agroecology academic programme, noting that it would strengthen sustained agroecology advocacy.
NoniHub presented on the use of drones in agroecology, including their applications in sensing and data collection for precision agriculture, early detection of crop diseases, and targeted spraying.
Other presentations highlighted the importance of conservation agriculture and the value of the project’s internship programme in offering students real-world experience and enhancing their professional skills in agroecology.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/George-Ramsey Benamba