NEWS FROM THE FARMERS

Small Holder Farmers Benefit from the Climate Change Adaptation in Northern Ghana Enhancement (CHANGE) Project

As farmers and Agricultural development professionals have come to the reality of the impact of climate change on Agricultural productivity, several climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions are been employed to promote climate smart Agricultural practices in Ghana.

It is in this regard that the Canadian Feed the Children (CFC) in collaboration with Farm Radio International and the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS) is implementing the Climate Change Adaptation in Northern Ghana Enhancement (CHANGE) project; aimed at developing the capacity of farmers and to reduce their vulnerability to climate change.

Owing to the implementation of the CHANGE project in Northern Ghana, some small holder farmers in five communities in the Savelugu Nanton Municipality have adapted to climate smart Agricultural practices to address the increasing effects of climate change on their productivity.

Some of the farmers explained that although their communities recorded low rains in the last farming season, their yield increased significantly due to the training they received on good agronomic practices and climate resilience.

Beneficiary farmers mentioned this during the presentation of over twenty five (25) silos by the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS) to five communities in the Savalugu Nanton district.

The presentation of silos to the communities formed part of the implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation in Northern Ghana Enhancement (CHANGE) project, jointly implemented by the Canadian Feed the Children (CFC), Farm Radio International and the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS).

In a success story, Madam Awalbu Lansah, a 40 year old farmer said, her maize yield has increased from 4 maxi bags per acre to 10 maxi bags per acre. The yield increase has improved her livelihood, the nutrition of her family and the community members at large. As a farmer, she is now well informed about climate smart Agricultural practices owing to the interventions by the CHANGE project.

Mr. Mohamed Kamel Damam, Project Coordinator of the CHANGE project, who handed over the silos to the beneficiary communities, explained that the facility was part of efforts by the project to ensure food security in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Mr. Damam, said the CHANGE project, which was funded by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will benefit Zoosali, Tindang, Kpachilo, Langa and Yilikpani with series of capacity development trainings.

Abdulai Imoro, a beneficiary of the project on behalf of the farmers expressed their gratitude to the CHANGE project and said the facility would help address their challenge of post-harvest losses.