Farmers in Bolgatanga, located in the Upper East Region, recently had the opportunity to display their farm goods at a special fair. This event aimed to highlight products that thrive in the Sahel region. Among the items showcased were different types of improved maize, cashew, and soya bean seeds. Additionally, visitors could explore natural honey, soya milk, soya kebabs, and dry grass charcoal, among other items. The fair provided a platform for farmers to promote their produce and for attendees to learn about the diverse agricultural offerings of the Sahel region.
The fair was part of a larger project called “Creating Lands of Opportunity: Transforming Livelihoods through Landscape Restoration in the Sahel (LOGMe),” which focuses on improving livelihoods in the Sahel region. In the Upper East Region, the project covered areas such as Bawku West, Talensi, and Builsa South districts, while in the Upper West Region, it targeted the Sissala East district. This initiative aims to enhance economic opportunities and promote sustainable development in these regions through landscape restoration efforts.
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The project was carried out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in partnership with organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savannah Agricultural Institute (CSIR-SARI), and A Rocha Ghana. With funding from the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, this three-year initiative aimed to combat desertification in Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Through collaborative efforts, the project sought to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable land management practices in the Sahel region.
Rationale
During the fair held last Tuesday, Dorcas Owusuaa Agyei, the IUCN National Coordinator, emphasized the event’s purpose. She explained that it provided a platform for farmers to showcase their products and for different players in the value chain to connect with each other. Agyei highlighted a study that revealed a gap between farmers, input dealers, processors, marketers, and consumers. She stressed the importance of bridging this gap for the benefit of all involved.
Additionally, Agyei mentioned that as part of the project’s livelihood support component, improved varieties of maize and soya bean had been developed. These varieties will be made available to farmers in the upcoming farming season, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and livelihoods in the region.
Agyei highlighted a crucial factor in ensuring the project’s sustainability: the partners’ ongoing efforts in land restoration activities. She emphasized that the LOGMe project served to complement existing interventions rather than duplicate them. Agyei also mentioned that IUCN would actively seek additional opportunities and funding to expand upon the work already accomplished. She underlined the project’s long-term commitment, stating that the acquired knowledge would empower beneficiaries to enhance their livelihoods effectively.
Agyei acknowledged that the project would eventually come to an end, but highlighted the lasting impact of the knowledge gained. She expressed confidence that the skills and expertise developed in producing dry land value chain products would remain with the people, leading to improvements in their living standards even after the project concludes.
Significant contribution
Dr. Julius Yirzagla, a Senior Research Scientist at CSIR-SARI, outlined the project’s overarching goal: to make substantial and lasting contributions to landscape restoration while also generating income opportunities for local communities.
Dr. Julius Yirzagla also emphasized that the fair aimed to raise awareness about the local individuals capable of producing these goods. This awareness, he noted, would facilitate connections with other stakeholders, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of the agricultural sector.
Dry land
Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini, the Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, highlighted the characteristics of the Sahel and savannah zones, describing them as vast arid and semi-arid regions bordering the Sahara to the north. He emphasized that the economies and livelihoods of these dry lands heavily rely on natural resources. Fuseini pointed out that 83% of the population in the Sahel live in extreme poverty, with 15 million people frequently facing food insecurity.
Chanbua Sahada, a beneficiary, praised the project implementers for their efforts. She mentioned that the project had introduced the people of the Nanchala community grass charcoal production, resulting in a reduction in the cutting down of trees for charcoal.
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