A 50-year-old smallholder farmer from Dasabligo in the Nabdam District of Ghana’s Upper East Region, Zenabu Ayurezoya, has spent years battling unpredictable weather, poor yields, and food insecurity. As a wife and mother of eight—three boys and five girls—her struggle to provide for her family has been relentless.
In Ghana, the average female smallholder farmer cultivates about two acres of land. While Zenabu is fortunate to have access to five acres through her husband, her farming efforts have consistently been met with disappointment. Worsening climatic conditions over the past fifteen years have disrupted cropping patterns, leading to devastating losses. Some years, untimely rainfall halted the flowering process, resulting in poor fruiting. In other years, bird infestations wiped out her crops before harvest.
To support farmers like Zenabu, the Department of Agriculture encouraged a shift to maize farming. However, the soaring cost of fertilizers and weedicides made maize cultivation a financial burden. Though maize offered better yields than millet, the output remained insufficient to sustain her family year-round. The persistent food shortages left Zenabu frustrated and constantly worried about how to feed her household.
Understanding Agroecology and Its Benefits
Agroecology is a sustainable farming approach that integrates ecological principles with agricultural production. It focuses on working with nature rather than against it by promoting biodiversity, soil health, and water conservation. Unlike conventional farming, which relies heavily on chemical inputs, agroecology encourages the use of natural compost, intercropping, and traditional knowledge to enhance productivity while protecting the environment.
The benefits of agroecology are vast. By improving soil fertility and reducing dependency on expensive chemical fertilizers, farmers can achieve higher yields at a lower cost. Agroecological practices also enhance resilience to climate change, as diverse cropping systems are better equipped to withstand extreme weather conditions. Moreover, these methods support food sovereignty by allowing farmers to rely on their own resources rather than external inputs, fostering economic independence and long-term sustainability.
The Cultural Significance of Food and Agroecology
Historically, food tells who a people are. It is tied to culture, spirituality, and identity. According to the Executive Director of the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM), Fati Abigail Abdulai, “Food sovereignty is not just about eating but about preserving traditions and reinforcing who we are as a people.”
In northern Ghana, indigenous meals such as those made from millet and shea butter have long played a role in rituals and daily life. However, the increasing focus on non-native crops—often dictated by external policies and funding—has led to a decline in the production and consumption of traditional foods.
“We pour libation with what the Gurunes call ‘zom’. When a visitor comes to our house, we present them with a ‘flour water’, which is usually made of millet and shea butter and other things. And so food goes beyond just what we eat to fill our tummy. It goes to tell us about our spirituality,” Abdulai emphasized.
Research institutions, largely influenced by corporate interests, tend to prioritize crops such as maize and soybeans over indigenous varieties. As a result, local farmers have struggled to maintain traditional food production. This shift not only affects cultural identity but also impacts food security and nutrition.
A Game-Changing Intervention
In 2024, the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM), through the 11th Hour Project, initiated a training program for women smallholder farmers from five communities—Tongo-Beo, Sakote, Dasobligo, Nkunzeisi, and Yagzore. The initiative brought together 21 women from the Nabdam and Talensi Districts to build leadership skills and introduce agroecological practices that could improve their farming outcomes.
The training focused on indigenous farming techniques, soil and seed selection, proper timing for planting, and sustainable land management. For Zenabu, this intervention proved transformative.
WOM recognizes that women, especially widows, often struggle to access farmland. Unlike men who may have the flexibility to rotate farmland and allow the soil to recover, women farmers are usually confined to the same piece of land. This makes sustainable farming techniques crucial for maintaining soil fertility and increasing yields over time. Through the pilot project, women farmers were trained to analyze their soil, select suitable crops, and implement methods to enrich the land naturally.
“As a country, we have focused on crops that sometimes other people have told us that we should invest in. And so once it is directed by foreign policy, we take it on and then we run with it,” Abdulai pointed out. “Once we don’t grow what is indigenous to us, it starts to influence what we can cook and what we can say is our food.”
A Turning Point: From Rationing to Abundance
Before receiving the training, Zenabu’s poor yields forced her to ration food to extreme levels. She could only afford to buy half a bowl of flour at a time to prepare “Zom Ko’om,” a basic drink made from flour and water, for her family. Each meal was carefully portioned to ensure it lasted until she could afford more ingredients.
After implementing the techniques she learned, Zenabu successfully cultivated millet, guinea corn, groundnuts, Bambara beans, and beans. Her improved yields meant she no longer had to depend on purchasing flour in small quantities. Instead, she harvested enough millet and guinea corn to prepare not only “Zom Ko’om” but also a more nutritious porridge mix for her one-year-old granddaughter.
Securing the Future with Dry-Season Farming
Beyond achieving food security for her household, Zenabu has expanded into dry-season farming—a strategy introduced during the training to help mitigate the impact of climate change. By diversifying her farming activities, she has reduced her dependency on the rainy season, ensuring a more stable income and food supply throughout the year.
To further promote agroecology, WOM linked trained farmers to experienced agroecological practitioners for mentorship and peer-to-peer learning. The results have been promising—farmers have reported higher yields and improved incomes, while also enjoying the health benefits of consuming nutrient-rich indigenous foods.
Recognizing the importance of preserving traditional food practices, WOM also organized a food bazaar in Nkunzeisi, where women from the five communities showcased and shared indigenous meals. This initiative aimed to revive knowledge about traditional dishes and reinforce the value of local, sustainable food production.
“We intend to document all these learning practices and share them with the state as an advocacy material where the state can see the evidence of agroecology working, especially when we are talking about women smallholder farmers,” Abdulai stated.
Advocating for Policy Change
As WOM continues its agroecology initiatives, the organization is working to document successful farming practices as advocacy material for policymakers. By presenting evidence of agroecology’s benefits—particularly for women smallholder farmers—WOM hopes to influence national agricultural policies and encourage greater investment in sustainable farming methods.
Zenabu Ayurezoya’s journey is a testament to the power of knowledge and sustainable farming. From struggling with food insecurity to achieving self-sufficiency, her story highlights the impact of investing in women farmers. With continued support, more smallholder farmers like Zenabu can break the cycle of poverty and build a resilient agricultural future for their families and communities.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga
