During a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue on Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Ghana, Dr. Jacques Somda, the Head of Programmes at IUCN in Burkina Faso, emphasized the multifaceted advantages of incorporating trees on farmlands. He highlighted that farmers who embrace agroforestry benefit from improved microclimates, which enhance their agricultural endeavors. Dr. Somda also pointed out that trees on farmlands can offer ecosystem services and can potentially tap into the carbon market, as trees act as carbon sinks. By effectively managing agroforestry, farmers can not only sell their crops but also the carbon they isolate, creating an additional source of income.
The dialogue addressed the pressing challenges faced by current food systems, exacerbated by rapid population growth leading to the degradation of natural ecosystems. therefore, bringing together diverse stakeholders was deemed essential to explore sustainable ways to enhance food production without harming the environment.
Dr. Joachim Ayiiwe Abugba, Basin Head of the Black Volta Basin at the Water Resource Commission, stressed the importance of sustainable agricultural practices in improving biodiversity and water management. Proper water management is crucial for maintaining the quality and availability of water for various purposes, and it directly impacts the health of water bodies and the surrounding ecosystem.
Mr. Kwame Agyei, the Regional Manager of the Plantation Department at the Forest Services Division of the Forest Commission, highlighted the indispensable role of forests in agriculture. He explained that without trees, agricultural productivity declines, soil quality deteriorates, and rainfall patterns are disrupted. The Forestry Commission is actively involved in rehabilitating degraded forests and collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to protect the nation’s forests and promote sustainable agriculture. The dialogue brought together over 30 agricultural experts and conservationists to address challenges associated with sustainable agricultural practices in Ghana. Discussions also delved into the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Land Tenure (VGGT) and responsible investments in agricultural and food systems.
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