A delegation from the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) Ghana recently visited the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) Technology Park in Nyankpala, Northern Region, to explore collaborative opportunities for fostering resilient food systems through research and innovation. The visit also allowed FSRP Ghana to gain insights into the latest agricultural technologies developed by CSIR-SARI, focusing on climate change, sustainable productivity, and food security challenges.
Led by Mr. Osei Owusu-Agyeman, the National Coordinator of FSRP Ghana, the delegation’s visit was part of FSRP Ghana’s broader agenda to build partnerships with research institutions driving agricultural innovation. CSIR-SARI Technology Park, located in the Tolon District, serves as a demonstration hub showcasing advanced farming solutions and agronomic innovations developed by CSIR-SARI. The institute plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges of climate change, low agricultural productivity, and rural poverty.
During the visit, the FSRP Ghana delegation was introduced to various high-yielding crop varieties, including oleic groundnuts, sorghum, local hybrid maize, and fall armyworm-tolerant maize, as well as pearl millet, Frafra potatoes, and peat-tolerant cowpeas. The technologies and innovations presented have the potential to address food security and improve agricultural resilience in the face of climate change.
FSRP Ghana is a collaborative initiative aimed at strengthening food system resilience and sustainability in Ghana, focusing on food security, nutrition, and climate change. It is part of a larger regional programme implemented across West Africa to boost agricultural productivity, reduce food losses, and enhance access to nutritious food.
Mr. Owusu-Agyeman praised CSIR-SARI for its efforts in tackling food insecurity in Ghana, expressing FSRP Ghana’s commitment to supporting the institution in building its capacity. He highlighted the importance of researchers considering the commercial viability of their innovations, encouraging them to think about how their work can be applied in the marketplace.
Dr. Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI, expressed his delight at the visit, emphasizing the importance of scaling the institute’s technologies to improve food security and livelihoods. He said that it was crucial for both Ghana and the global community to recognize the value of the research and technologies being developed at CSIR-SARI.
Additionally, Mr. Ziblila Sayibu, Technical Officer of the Yam Improvement Programme at CSIR-SARI, advised farmers to adopt modern seed yam production techniques, which offer more efficient multiplication than traditional methods. He cautioned against the practice of saving seed yams for propagation, explaining that recycled seed yams accumulate pathogens and bacteria, leading to reduced yields
