Winrock International has concluded its two-year Accelerated Dissemination of Soil Improvement Practices (ADSIP) project in the Upper East Region of Ghana. This marks a milestone in efforts to enhance soil fertility and address agricultural challenges faced by farmers in the region.
The project, which focused on four districts—Garu, Bawku West, Builsa South, and Talensi—targeted areas identified with research-verified low soil fertility and vulnerability to climate change impacts, such as erratic rainfall, soil erosion, and drought.
The ADSIP project was designed to tackle key issues in the region, including declining soil health, high fertilizer costs, limited knowledge of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices, and inadequate technical support for farmers. Its overarching goal was to enhance agricultural productivity and build resilience against climate change by equipping farmers and extension service providers with practical knowledge and tools to improve soil quality and farming techniques.
Key Achievements of the Project
During its two-year implementation, the ADSIP project trained 104 Extension and Advisory Service Providers (EASPs), including government agents, agro-dealers, and community-based agents. Significantly, 32% of the trainees were women, reflecting the project’s commitment to gender inclusivity in agricultural development.
The trained professionals subsequently transferred their knowledge to 2,293 farmers within just three months, significantly expanding the project’s reach and impact.
Mr. Philip Atiim, the Activity Coordinator of ADSIP at Winrock International, expressed gratitude to various stakeholders, including USAID, government agencies, and the farmers themselves, for their active collaboration throughout the project.
Speaking at the project’s closing ceremony, Mr. Atiim underscored the severe challenges facing farmers in the Upper East Region, particularly concerning soil fertility and the growing impacts of climate change.
“The Upper East Region is an agriculturally vibrant area, but it faces persistent issues of soil infertility compounded by climate change,” Mr. Atiim stated.
He further elaborated that nutrient depletion, poor soil structure, and lack of organic matter are diminishing soil productivity, exacerbated by unpredictable rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts.
A major accomplishment of the project was a partnership with the Havener-Dowswell Scholarship Program, which provided scholarships to six female students for the 2024-2025 academic year. These scholarships will support the students in pursuing degrees in agriculture at the University for Development Studies in Tamale, a key project partner.
Sustainability and Recommendations
Looking ahead, Mr. Atiim called for sustained efforts to build on the project’s successes. He emphasized the need for self-sustaining platforms for agricultural innovation and knowledge dissemination, particularly through the Northern Regional Agricultural Innovation and Coordination Unit (NRAICU).
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening the capacity of extension service providers to address agricultural challenges and crises effectively, especially as climate-related shocks become increasingly frequent.
Joining the event virtually via Microsoft Teams, Sonii David, Director of the Enabling Farmers for Agricultural Transformation Project, stressed the importance of continuing to train extension officers to respond to emerging challenges, including those driven by the ongoing geopolitical situation, such as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Her remarks highlighted the necessity of investing in agricultural education and extension services to foster resilience in the face of future disasters.
In his keynote address, former Upper East Regional Agriculture Director, Mr. Roy Ayariga, encouraged farmers and extension officers to apply the knowledge gained during the project to improve productivity. He underscored the value of the “train-the-trainer” approach to ensure the sustainability and widespread dissemination of knowledge in farming communities.
Gratitude and Future Prospects
Beneficiary extension officers expressed appreciation for the skills and knowledge acquired during the project, vowing to use their expertise to train more farmers within their communities.
While acknowledging the project’s impact, they also called for additional initiatives to further strengthen their capacities.
Mr. Atiim concluded the event by extending gratitude to USAID for funding the project and urged all stakeholders to continue collaborating to build a resilient agricultural sector in Ghana.
“Together, we are making meaningful strides toward a future where smallholder farmers have the tools to thrive, even in the face of adversity,” he remarked.
The ADSIP project represents a significant leap toward sustainable agricultural practices in Northern Ghana. By equipping farmers, extension officers, and other stakeholders with the necessary tools and knowledge, the project has laid a foundation for improved soil fertility, climate change mitigation, and enhanced agricultural productivity in the region.
Its impact is expected to resonate throughout the Upper East Region, fostering long-term resilience to the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
