German Cooperation Launch Conservation Agriculture Manual to Propel Sustainable Farming in Ghana
Left, German Ambassador to Ghana (Daniel Krull) and on the right is Jonas Claes, (Deputy Head of Missions, EU)
The Deputy Head of Missions of the European Union (EU) in Ghana, Jonas Claes, emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable farming practices in light of the negative impact of the global climate crisis on the country’s agriculture sector. Claes encourages smallholder farmers to adopt conservation agriculture to enhance resilience and improve production, acknowledging the inevitability of climate change.
Speaking at the launch of the Conservation Agriculture Manual during the EU Climate Diplomacy Week in Accra, Claes stresses the importance of adapting to climate change rather than attempting to stop it. The manual, a collaboration between the EU, the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), serves as a comprehensive guide to conservation agriculture—a climate change adaptation measure for small-scale farmers.
The event, was held at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) of the University of Ghana, with members of the diplomatic corps, academia, researchers, and farmer groups in attendance.
Claes highlights the manual’s role in equipping agriculture extension agents with standardized and climate-smart methods for the Savannah regions of Ghana. The manual has been integrated into the curriculum of five agriculture colleges for training extension agents.
The German Ambassador, Daniel Krull, views the manual’s launch as a significant stD He underscores the collaborative effort needed among policymakers, research institutions, farmers, and other stakeholders to implement sustainable practices outlined in the manual. Krull also emphasizes the crucial role of women in efficient natural resource management, advocating for their central involvement in conservation agriculture initiatives.
Kingsley Kwasi Agyemang, a climate change specialist at MoFA, acknowledges the vulnerability of Ghana’s agriculture to climate change and asserts that the manual will be instrumental. He reiterates MoFA’s commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices outlined in the country’s National Climate Change policy of 2013. Agyemang emphasizes that MoFA’s climate-smart agriculture and food security policy aim to increase production and income for farmers, enhancing their adaptive capacity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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