By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Zuarungu (U/E), April 2, GNA — The Ingraining Development for Empowerment and Advancement of Society (IDEAS Ghana), a leading non-governmental organization, convened a major stakeholders’ conference in Zuarungu to address the escalating challenges of climate change in the Upper East Region.
Funded by the German-based organization African Action, the conference was held under the theme: “Promoting increased adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices among smallholder farmers.”
The primary objective was to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers against climate-driven threats, including erratic rainfall, flooding, devastating windstorms, and declining crop yields, which have increasingly fueled food insecurity across vulnerable districts in the region and beyond.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including officials from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, representatives from the Bolgatanga East District Assembly, agriculture-focused NGOs, smallholder women farmers, and members of the media.
Addressing participants, Dr. Joseph Ayembilla, Executive Director of IDEAS Ghana, urged close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture to mitigate environmental impacts.
“We want the Upper East to become a model of climate-smart agriculture that other regions can emulate. To achieve this, we must actively work to transform our micro-climate to support sustainable productivity,” he said.
A key highlight of the conference was the promotion of Women Extension Volunteers. Dr. Ayembilla noted the high ratio of farmers to professional extension officers in the region and stressed that without volunteer support, many rural farmers remain cut off from agricultural extension services and technologies.
Over the past three years, IDEAS Ghana trained 22 women extension volunteers in the Bawku West District, reaching 1,500 female farmers, with 1,312 successfully adopting organic practices such as compost production and utilization.
Dr. Ayembilla emphasized that climate-smart agriculture is far more affordable for rural women than expensive, unsustainable chemical fertilizers. “By using compost, organic manure, and crop rotation, farmers can maintain high yields at a fraction of the cost,” he noted.
Dr. Gloria Kukuriji Adeyiga, Research Scientist at the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, presented on climate-smart agricultural practices, stressing the importance of an integrated approach. She advocated for agroforestry and crop diversification, including the integration of trees and livestock.
“This integrated system is native to our landscape. It is the most effective way for households to remain resilient and ensure food security when environmental hazards strike,” Dr. Adeyiga said.
Mr. Allanburns Debey Sebil of the Bolgatanga East District Assembly described the engagement as “fruitful,” noting the consensus to train more farmers in conservation technologies. He added that sustained support from both government and donor partners is essential to achieve region-wide impact.
IDEAS Ghana continues to promote inclusive rural development and improve the wellbeing of vulnerable communities through sustainable empowerment initiatives.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagalii /Audrey Dekalu