AGRA Ghana focuses on empowering smallholder farmers for climate-resilient agriculture

AGRA is intensifying its efforts to support smallholder farmers in adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices, according to Dr. Betty Annan, AGRA’s Ghana Country Director.

Speaking recently, Dr. Annan emphasized the critical role that smallholder farmers play in Africa’s agricultural sector and outlined AGRA’s commitment to empowering these farmers to contribute to food security on the continent.

AGRA has been at the forefront of supporting sustainable farming practices through research and the implementation of innovative solutions. One of the key initiatives highlighted by Dr. Annan is the pluralistic extension service delivery model, which uses village-based extension officers to bring advanced agricultural technologies directly to smallholder farmers. This model has been successfully tested and adopted in several African countries, including Ghana.

Since its inception 17 years ago, AGRA has played a pivotal role in creating an enabling environment that supports sustainable production. Dr. Annan noted that over 37 million smallholder farmers across Africa have benefited from AGRA’s initiatives, with a particular focus on building resilience against the impacts of climate change.

Dr. Annan pointed out that climate change is having a noticeable impact on agriculture in Ghana, with extreme weather conditions affecting crop yields, including fruit and vegetable production. In response, AGRA is working to equip smallholder farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to adapt to these challenges, ensuring that they can continue to produce food sustainably in a changing climate.

AGRA’s commitment to enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers is seen as a crucial step toward achieving food security in Africa, helping the continent not only to feed itself but also to contribute to global food supplies.