On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, I had the privilege of participating in the INTERFACES Side Event at Tropentag 2025, hosted at Bonn University under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Science-Policy Interfaces in Agricultural Research.” The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners from Africa and Europe to reflect on how scientific knowledge can more effectively shape and inform policy processes. The workshop built on previous Tropentag conversations on participatory research and agricultural knowledge management, and it offered a platform to deepen the dialogue around bridging research, policy, and practice.

As part of the panel, which included representatives from FARA, BMZ, BMLEH, CIMMYT, ZEF, and IDOS, I was invited to share an African perspective on what works in strengthening the relationship between science and policy. In my intervention, I emphasised the importance of trust as the foundation of effective collaboration. Trust is built through recognition of mutual roles, investment in relationships, and creating shared opportunities. Without it, even the best-intentioned efforts at policy influence risk being undermined by suspicion or lack of ownership.

I argued that the need for deliberate and continuous engagement that brings everyone to the table is equally critical. Science-policy dialogue in Africa must not remain the preserve of researchers and policymakers alone. Farmers, academics, civil society actors, traditional authorities, youth, children, and women all hold knowledge and perspectives that enrich policymaking. Platforms such as Communities of Practice, Innovation Platforms, and, more recently, the Participatory Learning Platform piloted by the INTERFACES Project, offer concrete models for structuring inclusive collaboration. Such spaces create shared ownership of knowledge and allow diverse actors to contribute meaningfully to the agricultural transformation agenda.

I also reflected on the inevitability of change. Agricultural systems, like policy landscapes, are dynamic and continually shaped by shifting demands, emerging challenges, and new technologies. Bridging the science–policy gap, therefore, requires agility. It is not enough to establish dialogue; we must be willing to review, adapt, and adopt approaches that respond to the realities of our time. This adaptability ensures that knowledge remains relevant and actionable, rather than static and outdated.

Beyond the panel, I also facilitated a World Café session that focused on strengthening knowledge exchange and Communities of Practice in Africa. The discussions were guided by questions drawn from the Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) Agenda and the Accra Declaration. Participants reflected on how African institutions can better institutionalise knowledge exchange by embedding it within their core strategies, such as developing national KM policies, creating dedicated KM roles, and providing incentives that encourage continuous learning. They explored how Communities of Practice could be made more inclusive and impactful by ensuring that they embrace policymakers, farmers, and indigenous knowledge holders. The group also deliberated on how digital platforms such as FARADataInformS and AARIEIspace can be harnessed sustainably, with attention given to issues of interoperability, governance, and the fight against misinformation.

The feedback from participants was both rich and instructive. There was broad recognition that institutionalising knowledge management is no longer optional, particularly now that it features prominently in the Kampala Declaration and the CAADP Action Plan 2026–2035. Many also highlighted the need to clearly define what we mean by “farmer” in policy dialogues, to avoid blanket assumptions and ensure inclusivity. Others urged greater use of visuals in knowledge communication, emphasising that long, text-heavy materials are less effective in engaging diverse stakeholders. A recurring theme was the urgency of overcoming the fragmentation of digital platforms and removing barriers to accessing knowledge by working towards interoperability, so that knowledge can flow more seamlessly across Africa’s agricultural research and policy landscape.

The INTERFACES Side Event at Tropentag 2025 was an opportunity to exchange perspectives and reaffirm the centrality of knowledge management and communities of practice in driving agricultural transformation. It reinforced the conviction that Africa must invest in strong, inclusive, and adaptive knowledge ecosystems. Such ecosystems will ensure that research does not remain in silos but actively informs policy and practice, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural future.

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The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (Ghana), Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has emphasised the need for science-driven solutions and innovation in combating land degradation and building climate resilience.

Speaking at the INTERFACES Status Seminar in Accra , Dr Muhammed highlighted the pressing issue of sustainable land and natural resource management, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where soil erosion, erratic rainfall and diminishing soil fertility threaten ecosystems and livelihoods.

Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (Ghana), Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed

The Minister stressed that “science and innovation must drive efforts to address land degradation and promote sustainable development”. He also affirmed the need for scientific research to inform decision-making, implementation and empowerment, rather than remaining confined to academic circles.

Commitment

Dr Muhammed reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening research and development, citing initiatives that support sustainable enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He called on government agencies to enhance communication and collaborative partnerships to unlock private capital and advance the scientific community.

He commended the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) for its continental leadership in agricultural innovation and policy support and assured the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for FARA’s work.

“I commend the five projects that have come together here today for their transdisciplinary approaches that bring together science, policy and community action. By integrating local knowledge with advanced tools such as drone technology, and engaging all stakeholders—from traditional authorities to academia—these projects set a benchmark in participatory land governance,” the Minister said.

Seminar

The seminar, funded by the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the Centre for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, was attended by over 120 leading researchers, policymakers and practitioners.

It aimed to foster transdisciplinary exchange on sustainable land management, climate resilience and agricultural innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A section of stakeholders and participants during a research presentation workshop session at the Sustainable Land Management in Sub Saharan Africa Status Seminar 2025

It highlighted four major research projects—COINS, DecLaRe, Minodu and InfoRange—as well as the INTERFACES initiative, which fosters collaboration between institutions in Germany and several African countries.

The seminar also offered a platform to showcase research outcomes and foster dialogue among diverse stakeholders, from scientists to traditional authorities, youth representatives and development partners.
Participants explored how collaborative knowledge development and innovation can bridge the gap between research and real-world impact, building stronger connections between Africa and Europe.

Government plans

Speaking at the event, the Social Sector Policy Advisor to the Vice President, Dr Miriam R. Iddrisu, said the government had outlined a holistic strategy to enhance agriculture and encourage sustainable land use.

She indicated that, aligning with national development priorities and international climate responsibilities, the government’s efforts focus on empowerment, resilience and inclusive economic growth.

Dr Iddrisu noted that the government was dedicated to making agriculture appealing to young people and women through skills training, financial access and technology-driven opportunities.

 

Social Sector Policy Advisor to the Vice President, Dr Miriam R. Iddrisu

 

“Government is instituting Women in Agriculture, a dedicated initiative aimed at improving women’s access to land, finance and business development opportunities, advancing gender equity and structural inclusion,” she said.

She emphasised that the government had also placed strong emphasis on empowering small-scale and vulnerable farmers through inclusive planning and targeted assistance, such as the “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” poultry project under the Feed Ghana Programme, to boost local poultry production and reduce import dependence, with a focus on supporting smallholder and youth farmers.

INTERFACES Project and leadership

For his part, the Executive Director of FARA, Dr Aggrey Agumya, highlighted the significant progress made by the INTERFACES project in promoting sustainable land management and addressing critical issues related to land degradation, soil health and inclusivity.

Dr Agumya explained that the project, financed by the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space, aims to connect individual projects focusing on specific aspects of sustainable land management.

He stressed the importance of bringing issues of soil health, land degradation and erosion to the attention of policymakers and the general public.

Executive Director of FARA, Dr Aggrey Agumya

Highlighting Ghana-specific initiatives, Dr Agumya said, “The project is mainly based in Ghana’s Northern Region, focusing on outreach, knowledge management and capacity development.”

“The project addresses issues of soil fertility management, inclusivity and land tenure, particularly regarding women’s access to land. It also focuses on youth engagement and gender issues related to land management,” he said.

Dr Agumya added that the project’s engagement with traditional leadership was a novel aspect, particularly in the context of land governance. He said the project also partners with local institutions, universities and traditional authorities, recognising the crucial role traditional leaders play in land management.

Source: Daily Graphic Online

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The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has disclosed that government is engaging development partners and evaluating proposals aimed at reclaiming lands devastated by illegal mining activities, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.

Speaking at the INTERFACES Status Seminar held in Accra, Dr. Muhammed emphasised that reclaiming degraded lands is not a one-off event but a long-term process that requires scientific input, stakeholder collaboration, and sustained investment.

“We are engaging partners to come up with means by which we can reclaim those lands. It needs scientific work and substantial investment. Even if you reclaim the land and do not do it well, they cannot use it for farming because the topsoil—which contains the nutrients—would have been destroyed,” he stated ,referencing farmlands used for illegal mining.

He revealed that several proposals had been received and were currently under evaluation.

Sustainable land management

Dr. Muhammed called for a shift towards sustainable land management and climate-smart agriculture, warning that land degradation has severe economic implications.

He linked the rise in Ghana’s import bill for rice and poultry—from US$500 million in 2016 to over US$3 billion by 2025—to poor agricultural productivity due in part to degraded lands.

“When we spend billions importing what we can produce, it affects the economy, job creation, and livelihoods,” he noted.

He highlighted the role of research in reversing land degradation and promoting responsible agricultural practices. To that end, he announced the launch of Ghana’s first Science and Technology Forum, to be held bi-annually, bringing together academia, research institutions, and the private sector to translate research findings into actionable solutions across sectors including agriculture.

The Minister also applauded the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), based in Ghana, for its leadership in agricultural innovation, capacity building, and knowledge management across the continent.

Commitment

He reiterated government’s commitment to creating an enabling policy environment for the mainstreaming of research-based solutions and building local capacity through partnerships that prioritise knowledge transfer over mere financial aid.

Status Seminar

The Status Seminar 2025, funded by the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), FARA and the Centre for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, convened over 120 experts from across Africa and Europe to exchange knowledge on inclusive and climate-resilient land management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Organised under the INTERFACES project, the event highlighted FARA’s role in advancing sustainable land use through capacity building, knowledge management and policy engagement.

It featured key outcomes from projects such as COINS, DecLaRe, Minodu, and InfoRange, showcasing how locally adapted solutions—driven by collaboration among researchers, communities, and policymakers—are helping address critical challenges like soil degradation, gender inequality, and food insecurity.

Gender disparities in land governance

Delivering an address on behalf of the Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Dr. Miriam Iddrisu highlighted the urgency of addressing gender disparities in land governance across Sub-Saharan Africa.

She stressed that sustainable land management and climate resilience are unattainable if women remain excluded from foundational systems such as land governance.

 She said while women constitute nearly half of the agricultural workforce, their access to land, credit, and decision-making remains severely constrained.

 “This gender gap is not only unfair, it is inefficient and detrimental to economic and environmental sustainability,” she emphasised.

Legal and cultural barriers, she noted, continue to prevent women from owning or inheriting land, with their voices largely absent in land-related policymaking.

As such, called for deeper collaboration among traditional authorities, researchers, civil society, and policymakers to advance inclusive reforms, while reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to thrive in agriculture, with land as a platform for empowerment, productivity and resilience.

Strategic partnerships and FARA’s role

For his part, Executive Director of FARA, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, reiterated the importance of strategic partnerships in turning agricultural research into real-world impact.

“We stand at a crossroads. Our agricultural systems, particularly those led by smallholder farmers, are facing serious threats—from degraded soils and low productivity to climate-related shocks and weak institutional support. Strategic collaboration is no longer optional; it is essential,” he noted, underscoring the power of collaboration in addressing degraded soils, climate change, and food insecurity.

He highlighted FARA’s leadership role in the INTERFACES initiative—driving knowledge management, science communication, and capacity strengthening across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Agumya also celebrated the achievements of INTERFACES Knowledge Management Fellows and reaffirmed FARA’s commitment to building resilient agricultural systems through inclusive innovation, institutional support and youth engagement.

He also expressed gratitude to the Government of Ghana for its sustained support to FARA, including hosting its Secretariat within the CSIR enclave and the recent commitment to provide a dedicated office space to enhance FARA’s operations.

Source: Business & Financial Times Gh

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The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, Eastern Region, Ghana, in collaboration with Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS), Germany, and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), has officially launched an E-Certificate Programme in Sustainable Land Management.

The ceremony took place at the University’s Auditorium, Multipurpose Building, and was jointly officiated by the Vice-Chancellor of UESD, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, and Prof. Wiltrud Terlau, Head of the International Centre for Sustainable Development at H-BRS. The event drew members of faculty, management, and senior staff, including the Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong.

The E-Certificate Programme is the outcome of a strategic partnership between the two universities, aimed at delivering short, specialised courses at UESD. The courses, which will run for six weeks to three months, include modules such as Land Information Management Systems and Evolution of Traditional Governance Structures, Climate-Smart Land Management, Gender and Land Rights and Sustainable Land Use Planning. The programme is open to students, alumni, and practitioners in the field.

In his remarks, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and UESD Coordinator of the INTERFACES Project, Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah, outlined the roadmap that guided the development of the curriculum. He acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Peter Asare-Nuamah and other collaborators from H-BRS and partner institutions across Africa and Europe. He further noted that the programme will be hosted on UESD’s Learning Management System, making it accessible to policy practitioners, students, and professionals in land governance across the region and beyond.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nyarko-Sampson, commended the team for successfully launching the programme, describing it as a major step in UESD’s mission to lead in sustainability-focused education and innovation. He expressed optimism that the programme will attract a high calibre of applicants interested in advancing sustainable land management practices.

Prof. Wiltrud Terlau also expressed her delight at the collaboration, stating that the initiative exemplifies the importance of transdisciplinary knowledge co-creation and capacity building in sustainable land use and governance, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa. H-BRS actively partners with Universities around the world, especially in Africa, to promote capacity building and sustainable development through education and research. It works on sustainability, transdisciplinary research, and international cooperation, such as the collaboration with UESD).

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The 70-member delegation included researchers from across Africa—Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Senegal, Kenya, and Namibia—as well as Germany. Also present were traditional leaders and officials from various public institutions. The visit formed part of the Status Seminar on Sustainable Land Management in Sub-Saharan Africa, held from June 2–6 under the theme “Improving Livelihoods through Local Research Initiatives within the Strategy of the Platform Research for Sustainability (FONA).”

The purpose of the field visit was to gain firsthand insight into FLL’s innovative greenhouse production systems, particularly its model for youth-led vegetable farming and agribusiness.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Boamah Okyere, Managing Director of Fresh Logistics, alongside Mr. Larry Selorm Amekuse, Chief Agribusiness Architect at Agri-Impact Limited, and other senior staff.

Mr. Boamah led the visitors on an extensive tour of the greenhouse facility, explaining core operational processes including nursery management, irrigation and fertigation systems, integrated pest control, harvesting, and market distribution strategies. He emphasized Fresh Logistics’ commitment to sustainable vegetable production, modern technology adoption, and youth-driven entrepreneurship.

“It was a pleasure to share our work with the FARA delegation,” Mr. Boamah said. “This visit offered a great platform for knowledge exchange and potential collaboration. Our model is centered on sustainable production, gender inclusion, and empowering youth to drive Africa’s agricultural future.”

Dr. Tina Beuchelt, a senior scientist at the Centre for Development Research, University of Bonn, lauded Fresh Logistics for its professionalism, gender-sensitive practices, and innovative greenhouse model.

“We were particularly impressed by the active involvement of youth and the visible leadership roles held by women,” Dr. Beuchelt noted. “This is a powerful demonstration of inclusive, sustainable agriculture in action.”

Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management and Outreach Officer at FARA, described the field visit as a fitting and inspirational close to the week-long seminar.

“Fresh Logistics has developed a model that is practical, scalable, and replicable,” Mr. Abugri said. “Its focus on youth, gender equity, and market-oriented approaches offers a blueprint for agricultural transformation across the continent.”

The team also toured the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) site at Dawhenya as part of the day’s activities.

The Fresh Logistics team also expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with FARA and other partners to strengthen innovation, resilience, and food systems across Africa.

About Fresh Logistics Limited (FLL)

Fresh Logistics Limited is a Ghana-based agro-company focused on the production, marketing, and distribution of high-quality fresh vegetables. Operating under strict quality control protocols in greenhouse environments, FLL supplies produce year-round to a wide buyer network including ShopRite, Eden Tree, Farmers Markets, Vegetable Direct, JOFOEL, and other retailers across major market centers.

A subsidiary of Agri-Impact Group, Fresh Logistics sources vegetables from Agri-Impact-managed farms and registered farmer networks, with a business model anchored in food safety, quality assurance, and adherence to good agricultural practices.

#SLM_Africa

Source: Citi News & Agri Impact

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A. PROGRAMMES
i. MPhil. Development Management (2 years, Full Time)
ii. PhD. Planning for Sustainable Development (4 years, Full Time)

B. ADMISSION/SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
To be admitted into the MPhil Development Management Programme, applicants MUST have at least:
i. A first degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division in a relevant field from a recognized University or its equivalent in a relevant discipline;
ii. For applicants who wish to apply for DAAD scholarship, a First Degree with a minimum of Second Class Upper Division in a relevant field from a recognized University. Note that your Undergraduate Degree certificate should NOT be more than six (6) years old at the time of application.
iii. Submit official transcripts of academic records, certificates, and other relevant documents from successfully completed undergraduate programmes.
iv. Two years’ work experience in a relevant field is required for admission into the Programme.
v. The DAAD Scholarship application should include a motivation letter. In addition, applicants should provide an updated Curriculum Vitae and research proposal (not more than 10 pages) detailing their intended research work.
vi. DAAD applicants must pass a selection interview (a face-to-face interview for local applicants or online interview for foreign applicants, as applicable).
vii. The applicants selected for the DAAD scholarship to pursue the MPhil Development Management programme will be awarded a two (2) year contract.

To be admitted into the PhD Planning for Sustainable Development Programme, applicants MUST have at least:
i. A very good MPhil/MSc/MA Degree in a relevant field from a recognized institution of higher learning or its equivalent in a relevant discipline.
ii. Submit official transcripts of academic records, certificates, and other relevant documents from successfully completed graduate and undergraduate programmes.
iii. For applicants who wish to be considered for DAAD scholarship, a second degree with a minimum of Second Class Upper Division in a relevant field from a recognized institution of higher learning is required. Note that your second degree certificate should NOT be more than six (6) years old at the time of application.
iv. Two years’ research experience are relevant for admission into the programme.
v. Applicants applying for a DAAD scholarship should include a motivation letter. In addition, applicants should provide an updated Curriculum Vitae, and a research proposal (not more than 10 pages) detailing their intended research work.
vi. Pass a selection interview (a face-to-face interview for local applicants or an online interview for foreign applicants).
vii. The applicant selected for the DAAD scholarship for the PhD Planning for Sustainable Development programme will be awarded a three (3) year contract in line with the Project timelines.

C. MODE OF APPLICATION
All Ghanaian applicants for the 2024/2025 Academic Year admissions are required to use the UBIDS Online Admissions Portal. The procedure for the online application process is as follows:

1. Make a payment of GH¢180.00 (One Hundred and Eighty Ghana Cedis) for Postgraduate programmes at any Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Stanbic Bank and NIB Bank branches throughout the country or through mobile money service by dialing *887*9# To All Networks.
2. The E-Voucher contains the PIN and Serial Number required in completing the online form.
3. Access the online form by visiting our online admissions portal at www.ubids.edu.gh soon after payment.

Alternatively:

1. Visit UBIDS online Admissions Portal at www.ubids.edu.gh with a MasterCard or Visa to make an online payment of GH¢180.00 (One Hundred and Eighty Ghana Cedis) for Postgraduate Programmes
2. Print the advice slip for future reference.
3. In completing the online form, students will be required to upload their most recent passport size photographs, which is not more than 6 months old and relevant certificates
4. A completed form is not considered until it is submitted.
5. Applicants are advised to check thoroughly all details entered before finally submitting their online applications. A form, once submitted, can only be viewed, but cannot be edited.
6. Applicants are strongly advised to visit any Ghana Post EMS Office in the Country for assistance towards the return of the application documents (see 8). Applicants are advised not to post the forms themselves. They should seek the advice and services of Ghana Post EMS.
7. Applicants must print out application summary; attach results slips, certificates and all other relevant documents. These documents should be submitted in triplicates (three copies each) to the Director (Academic and Student Affairs Section).
8. The application documents as specified in (7) above should be addressed to:The Director, Academic & Student Affairs
   Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies
   P.O Box WA 64
   Wa, UW/R, Ghana
9. Foreign applicants should also post three sets of the application documents mentioned in (7) by express mail to the same address in (8). For the purposes of clarity, foreign applicants should post their application documents to:The Director, Academic & Student Affairs
   Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies
   P.O Box WA 64
   Wa, UW/R, Ghana
10. All applicants for the DAAD Scholarships (foreign and Ghanaian) should send a scanned copy of their application form and all documents in (7) above to the Coordinator of Programmes, West African Centre for Sustainable Rural Transformation (WAC-SRT), through this email: ekuusaana@ubids.edu.gh and copy the Assistant Registrar (Academics & Student Affairs) through this email: mueen7@yahoo.com. It is important that scanned copies of your application are emailed as a single pdf file to the designated officers to support the application process. Incomplete applications will not be considered during the selection process.

Deadline for Applications: 15^th July 2024

Enquiries
For further enquiries contact the following numbers during the hours – 10am to 4pm from Monday to Friday:

Tel. +233-204088762 or +233-507122125 or +233-249662006
Email: mueen7@yahoo.com or ekuusaana@ubids.edu.gh or yyiridomoh@ubids.edu.gh

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by Malik SOULEMANE

Without land, agriculture is not possible. The importance of soil resources for current and future generations therefore no longer needs to be demonstrated. This is why several projects and programs are dedicated to it with a view to optimal and sustainable land management. “The Declare project aims to set up a decision support tool to enable stakeholders to make appropriate decisions with a view to improving the resilience of their production systems,” said Prof. Rodrigue Diogo, Coordinator of Declare. During these two days of the workshop which brought together different actors from the agricultural world and livestock systems, the discussions were very interesting and resulted in more concrete visions to be able to continue to optimize actions in favoring sustainable land management. To do this, “The question of innovative solutions was debated. Among the solutions that I think we must be able to find is to link research to training. It is essential to link research to training to continue training the next generation,” insisted the Vice-Rector in charge of scientific research at the UP, Prof. Mohamed Nasser Baco in his opening speech. “Sustainable land management should contribute to food security, agriculture, forestry and environmental protection. », indicated the Dean of the Fa Prof. Valérien Amégnikin ZINSOU.

During these two days of discussions, several communications were presented. In particular on the INTERFACES and DeClaRe projects respectively by Doctors David Anaafo and Kisito Gandji from the Competence Center of the West African Center for Scientific Services on climate change and adapted land use (WASCAL) in Burkina Faso; on the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) by Benjamin Abugri from FARA, Ghana; and on the theory of change by Doctor Peter Asare-Nuamah of the University of Bonn in Germany. After the opening ceremony and the various communications, space was given to participants for discussions on the project’s theory of change.

Participants contributed through exchanges to co-develop with researchers from the INTERFACES and DeClaRe projects the theory of change that will enable the project’s results to be effectively achieved. “The theory of change is a tool that allows us to better understand the needs of target communities, to describe the change we want to bring as well as the activities to carry out. » informed Dr. Gandji. Through the various works and exchanges, the participants better described the change to be made in sustainable land management in northern Benin, with a proposal for the activities to be carried out to achieve this. DeClaRe aims to reduce conflicts between farmers and breeders, adapt SLM to climate change and promote ecological agriculture in the face of climate change with a view to improving food security. The same actors will be invited to the Parakou campus next year for a workshop to disseminate the first results of the project.

Source: daabaaruagri.com

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Accra, Ghana

Introduction

A consortium of three German research and implementation-oriented projects has begun developing a blueprint for Sustainable Land Management (SLM) covering all its dimensions regarding ecological, economic, and social aspects, especially gender equity. In Northern Ghana, two workshops were held at the Tamale campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) from November 15 to 23, 2023.

Participants during the INTERFACES, COINS and DECLARE projects meetings at the UDS Campus in Tamale, Ghana

The workshops were jointly organised by the Supporting Pathways for Sustainable Land Management in Africa (INTERFACES) with two (Co-developing Innovations for Sustainable Land Management in West African Smallholder Farming Systems – COINS and Decision Support for Strengthening Resilience in the Face of Global Challenges – DecLaRe) of the four research projects in the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funding consortium, brought together various stakeholders from the government sector, public institutions, private sector, farmer-based organisations, international development agencies, civil society organisations, media and traditional authorities in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Group Picture of stakeholders during the first meeting

The projects aim to address long-standing challenges within the sector on land use and ownership by strengthening the weak interaction between Science, Policy, and Practice. These initial workshops sought to establish a participatory learning platform for joint learning and exchange and develop a gender-responsive theory of change for sustainable land management. As an accompanying project, INTERFACES will focus on supporting the social dimensions of SLM, especially gender of the COINS and DecLaRe projects, which are being rolled out in the Northern and Savannah Regions as well as in other parts of Benin and Senegal.

First Two-Day Workshop With The COINS And DECLARE Projects at UDS Campus, Tamale

In her introductory remarks, the Project Lead of INTERFACES and Senior Scientist at the Center for Development Research (ZEF) University of Bonn, Dr. Tina Beuchelt, highlighted the need to enhance the fusion of research, policymakers and implementers. Acknowledging the historically low adoption rates, the INTERFACES team initiated a workshop to develop a Gender Responsive Theory of Change for Sustainable Land Management and establish a Participatory Learning Platform to strengthen adoption.

Dr. Tina Beuchelt, Project Lead of INTERFACES and Senior Scientist at the Center for Development Research (ZEF) University of Bonn.

This collaborative approach will strengthen the implementation of research results and contribute to developing effective land management strategies.

“That’s why we thought we must engage with you, the local stakeholders who are the key experts in this area. She added, “Start discussions, learn about your experience, exchange our experiences, and get your feedback”.

Envisioning sustainable land management, Dr. Peter Asare-Nuamah, a Senior Researcher of the INTERFACES project, described it as empowering farmers to optimise land use, enhancing crop yields, generating social benefits for women and men, increasing income, and conserving the environment without causing pollution or degradation.

Dr. Peter Asare-Nuamah, Senior Researcher, INTERFACES, ZEF, University of Bonn

To achieve this goal, INTERFACES aims to incorporate various stakeholders’ diverse perspectives and priorities in an inclusive approach, ensuring that everyone has a meaningful role to play in shaping a sustainable future for land management. This becomes a vehicle to achieve sustainable land management. Dr. David Anaafo, a Senior Researcher with WASCAL, describes this as being “timeless, taking into consideration the needs of our present and future generations”.

Dr. David Anaafo, Senior Researcher, WASCAL and INTERFACES

On the part of FARA, Mr. Benjamin Abugri, the Knowledge Management and Communications Specialist, highlighted the role and commitment of its organisation in ensuring that the projects’ results are mainstreamed and sustained within its knowledge services and tools for the more significant learning benefit for not just the project beneficiary countries but the entire African continent.

Mr. Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management, Learning and Communications Cluster Leader & INTERFACES Project Coordinator at FARA

Stakeholders highlighted conflict, urbanisation, weak legal frameworks, climate change and soil degradation, unregistered lands, changing land tenure systems and difficulties for women to access land, labour, and inputs, among others, as some of the critical areas affecting sustainable land management.

From the left, the ‘Women’ Chief of Zabzugu Traditional Area, Yelzoli Gaa-Naa, Hawawu A Salifu, in the middle, Secretary to the Paramount Chief of Gukpegu (Tamale) and Kpalung Zobogu Naa, Mohamed Rashad Abdulai and INTERFACES Project Lead Dr. Tina Beuchelt

Role of Traditional Authorities

The workshop explored options for actualising a fair distribution of land among men and women in the Northern region, as currently, according to participants at the workshop, women are highly disadvantaged in accessing land. Their main access is via their husbands, and they often only get small pieces of land to farm and the most marginal, least fertile plot. Increasing land scarcity, the pressure of investors, and the lack of documentation were identified as a few of the many issues, drivers and barriers to enable SLM. Present at the meeting was the Secretary to the Paramount Chief of Gukpegu (Tamale), who doubles as the Kpalung Zobogu Naa, Mohamed Rashad Abdulai.

Additionally, the ‘Women’ Chief of Zabzugu Traditional Area, who doubles as the Yelzoli Gaa-Naa, Hawawu A Salifu, was in attendance.

The Kpalung Zobogu Naa, Mohamed Rashad Abdulai, drawing reference from his position as the Secretary of one of the largest land secretariats in the Northern region, said “when you come to the data, there are multiple women having acres of land, so what it means is that you don’t need to carry your husband to the chief. Just meet with the elders who will lead you to the chief, and you’ll be granted access”.

On adopting the proposed approaches, he stated, “let’s start with the communication. When we are going to communicate, we must communicate in a cordial manner that will make people listen to us. Still, if we radicalise it, it won’t move a centimetre”. Yelzoli Gaa-Naa, Hawawu A. Salifu called for increased education to lease land instead of selling it, noting that in the near future “it will be difficult for natives to have land for farming”.

Promoting gender-responsive sustainable land management is essential as Dr. Constance Akurugu, a Senior Lecturer at the SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, believes that within the Northern region, “women are often seen as soon to leave members of their natal families, and when they finally arrive in the marital family they are often seen as, strangers and all closely tied to this or within the context of this women rarely have ownership to productive land.”

Therefore, with a call on traditional leaders and stakeholders to overcome the barriers, policymakers must “take initiatives that will lead to entering into a memorandum of understanding with landowners, heads of families and chiefs to ensure that once an agreement is entered into for women to have access to land, they can have access to the land to use for the period” she added.

Abdul Mateen Alhassan, a former Northern Regional Focal Person for the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, bemoaned farmers’ difficulty accessing funding and described the workshop as timely.

Some of the participants at the stakeholders INTERFACES, COINS and DECLARE meeting in Tamale

He explained that “even though land is not a problem in the Northern Region, financial institutions always demand a guarantee, but the fact that people are not registered with lands as their own and to say it is a borrowed one sometimes institutions find it difficult to understand and accept it as a collateral to grant farmers fund”.

Alhaji Alhassan, a farmer in Tolon explaining the practice of Integrated Soil Fertility Management at his farm to researchers of the INTERFACES, COINS and DECLARE projects

Field Visits to Tolon (Northern Region) and Busunu (Savannah Region)

• CSIR-SARI’s Integrated Soil Fertility Management Intervention in Tolon District, also working with COINS living lab intervention

The first field visit on November 17 to the northwestern part of the Northern Region showcased the success rate of the Integrated Soil Fertility Management Intervention on Alhaji Alhassan’s farm who Agrometeorologist at CSIR-Savannah Agricultural Research Institute, Dr. Alhassan Lansah Abdulai describes as an “early adopter who integrated soil fertility management; and crop rotation as an integral part of their farming”.

Beginning in 2011, Dr. Abdulai applauded his consistency, noting that “he is a serious soybean, maise, sorghum and groundnut farmer who has practised crop rotation to the latter”.

Alhassan recounted that with old farm practices, they “used to suffer a lot in order to get more yields to feed our families, but with the new technologies, we put in less effort to get more yields.”

Testifying about the impact of research and extension officers, “What we get from 1 acre is equivalent to what we used to get from about 10 acres under the old system. For instance, I thought I had cultivated one acre for 2023 with my sorghum, but it was a little over one acre when we used the GPS. Despite losing about 2 bags of sorghum to post-harvest losses, I’ve got 13 bags of the 100 kg bag, but under the old system, you could cultivate large acreage and get only 6 bags. It has reduced our drudgery and cost of farming.”

For knowledge transfer among farmers, Dr. Abdulai highlights a farmer exchange program “so during the season, we will bring the other farmers here and send the other people there so that they will offer farmer-to-farmer advice”.

Farmers and Researchers discussing the outcome of the application of the microdosing innovation at a farm at Busunu in the Savanna Region of Ghana

• Exploring a DecLaRe’s Project intervention and Greenhouse Farm in Busunu in the Savanna Region of Ghana

A field visit to the neighbouring Savanna Region on November 19 made a first stop at a greenhouse farm called Sadevco Gh in Busunu. The Farm Manager, Frederick Tetteh Pechi-Anim, welcomed and shared its vegetable production techniques of “different variety of vegetables; beefsteak tomato, cherry tomato, bell pepper, hot pepper, lettuce and Mediterranean cucumbers.”

Sharing some challenges in selling its produce, Mr Pechi-Anim explained that potential customers misinterpreted their farm as a GMO producer and were hesitant to patronise it. Due to cultural and other informational gaps, GMOs are still not accepted in northern

Ghana and not promoted by the government of Ghana. However, public sensitisation at the individual level helped to integrate the market while recording a higher sale to expatriates who visit the region or farm.

Field Coordinator for DecLaRe Project in Busunu, Dr. Deogratias Kofi Agbotui, showed the team the DecLaRe weather station positioned in Sadevco Ltd for its research. The device comprises a rain gauge and a temperature and light intensity gauge. He explained that the device helps in prediction modelling, and the data is shared with SADEVCO Ltd.

Dr. Deogratias Kofi Agbotui, Field Coordinator, DECLARE Project (right) and Mr Pechi-Anim, Manager of the SADEVCO Farm at Busunu in the Savanna Region of Ghana

The team continued to Yussif Bofoji Tanko’s farm, testing the micro-dosing interventions promoted by the DecLaRe Project. Mr. Tanko cultivates maise, ground nuts, cashews, bambara beans and rarely cassava. Recounting the importance of the intervention, he explained that the crops yielded better than those not under the experiment. Since this is his first year and he just harvested, he has yet to provide actual figures of yield difference. He lamented the cattle invasion on their farms and irregular rainfall pattern on the maise production, stating that “this year the rains were too much, which destroyed crops, and we also didn’t apply fertiliser”.

Later, the team visited another farmer, Ms. Zainab, who resides in Busunu. As a female farmer, she got her land from a share of her husband’s land solely for agriculture. She confirmed earlier submissions at the workshop that women face many challenges when farming. Her husband allocated six acres of land, which she used: “three acres for corn and three acres for okra. “I had four bags of maise and a bag of okra, and I am happy about the outcome of my harvest. This year, I’m done and waiting for the next planting season, whether I will get land or not.”

Second Two-Day Workshop on COINS and DECLARE Innovations

The second phase of the workshop was held on 22nd and 23rd November at UDS Tamale Campus to assess and forecast the economic, social and environmental impact of innovations by COINS and DECLARE in the Northern and Savannah Regions of Ghana.

Employing the ‘Decision Analysis Approach’, Dorcas Sanginga Alame, a PhD candidate pursuing Horticultural Science at the University of Bonn, says participant feedback helps to “forecast the impact of specific innovations of the regional project which INTERFACES is targeting in Northern Ghana”.

Miss Alame explained that the COINS project focuses on developing “sustainable intensification [solutions] by increasing productivity without taking up new lands” and works with Integrated Soil Fertility Management as one of the suggested innovations. The DECLARE project harbours two innovations, thus ‘micro-dosing to “increase productivity”.

For effective participation, participants first exchanged their ideas with their table neighbours, where men and women were grouped separately, and then experiences and ideas were consolidated. The women’s and men’s perspectives complemented each other. The discussions reviewed the benefits, costs, risks/barriers, challenges, and enabling factors for the selected innovations.

Perceived benefits of the COINS Integrated Soil Fertility Management

Among the list of its benefits labelled were increased crop yield, food security, improved income, economic empowerment, low cost of production, high income, high and sustainable productivity, marketability of products, etc.

An officer at the Northern Regional Women in Agricultural Development Directorate, Salatu Abubakar, reiterating the impact of one farming season in the North, posited that when a woman can reduce the cost of production coupled with an increase in yield then “as a woman with a small parcel of land you can get more income and you can leverage on other levels of income generation activities”.

An officer at the Northern Regional Department of Gender, Ms Bushira, highlighted the role of women in the agricultural value chain; hence, an increase in yield will mean that women who don’t farm “will like to take those yields to do processing so, in that case, it is also creating jobs for them, and they are also being economically empowered together with those who will market those products.”

Additionally, it was discussed that increased yield doesn’t necessarily translate to higher income, citing the paradox of bumper harvest where “everyone harvests and the price comes down at the end of the day you might not get higher income”.

Dr Theodore Asimeng, Senior Researcher at the German Institute for Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and the INTERFACES Project facilitating a session on ISFM during the workshop

Hence, other factors, such as price regulation and improved road networks, amongst others, should be considered. In the workshop, intense, longer discussions and exchanges followed on associated costs, risks and enabling factors. Again, the problem of access to land and the challenges women face in agriculture in adopting new practices emerged. One key aspect related to cultural norms and practices that disadvantage and marginalise women in agriculture, in addition to gender-based violence as a means to control women and their farm activities.

The Microdosing Approach of the DECLARE Project

The general concept of microdosing is to reduce the application of fertilisers by exactly placing fertiliser close to the plants. While some microdosing variants propose applying wall fertilisation in that form, the DECLARE variant only applies a microdose at the beginning of the season to young plants to give them a good start. While recognising the importance of the micro-dosing intervention, the workshop participants called for the intervention to be contextualised within the current farming systems and practices of farmers in the project communities, which is essential to aid in acceptance and adoption.

Conclusion

Stakeholders underscored the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to achieving food security, maintaining ecological integrity, ensuring equitable access to resources and productive lands, and implementing effective conflict resolution mechanisms. While pointing out many benefits of agricultural innovations, the many challenges attached to successfully implementing innovations and achieving higher yields, especially under climate change, became very clear.

Among the propositions for enabling mechanisms were, for example, demonstration plots/training platforms, farmer-to-farmer exchange, availability and timeliness of inputs, bridging finance solutions, sustainable prices and more conducive policies. The recommendations included formulating a comprehensive land-use plan, formalising land tenancy, implementing a land titling system that ensures access to land for women and other marginalised groups, and rigorously enforcing laws and policies. Further suggestions were to work with traditional authorities to change local norms and support activities like introducing the Gender Model Family (GMF) concept, a training programme developed to involve community members and families to live equitably and justly.

These measures, they believed, would create a conducive environment for sustainable land management and address some of the underlying challenges hindering progress in this crucial sector.

Group Picture of stakeholders during the second meeting

About the INTERFACES and the Four Regional Projects

Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany, the INTERFACES Project is an accompanying project to four other regional projects to strengthen the integration, coherence, and reach of sustainable land management. The Four Regional Research Projects are the Co-developing Innovations for Sustainable Land Management in West African Smallholder Farming Systems (COINS), Decision Support for Strengthening Resilience in the Face of Global Challenges (DecLaRe), Increasing efficiency in the rangeland-based livestock value chains by co-designed digital technologies and machine learning approaches (InfoRange) and the Fostering local sustainable development through technology and research (Minodu). The INTERFACES Project is implemented by African and German institutions, including the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) and the SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) from the Africa side, and the German Institute for Development and Sustainability (IDOS), the Centre for Development Research of the University of Bonn and the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS). The projects target sub-Saharan Africa.

Visit https://sustainable-landmanagement-africa.net/en/ for details about the Sustainable Land Management Projects.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

FARA – Benjamin Abugri at babugri@faraafrica.org

IDOS – Aiveen Donnelly at Aiveen.Donnelly@idos-research.de

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