Women smallholder farmers in Ghana’s transitional ecological belt are adopting agroecological farming methods. This shift aims to counter declining food production caused by unreliable rainfall and rising temperatures. These areas, including the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions, typically cultivate staple crops like maize, cassava, and yam.
Climate change has brought erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells. These conditions have reduced soil fertility. Consequently, food production has fallen. Women farmers, who form the backbone of smallholder agriculture, face the greatest impact. Many farmers reported 2024 as particularly devastating for maize crops due to insufficient rain.
This situation directly threatens Ghana’s agricultural output and food security. The transitional zones are crucial for national food supply. Declining yields here indicate a broader challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2, which targets ending hunger. It also impacts SDG 13, focused on climate action. Illegal logging further degrades 21 forest reserves in these regions, worsening rainfall patterns.
Faustina Amponsah, a farmer in Bono East Region, confirmed the dire situation. “When I plant my maize, I do not get enough rain for it to grow,” she stated. She added that illegal logging partly causes these altered rainfall patterns. ActionAid Ghana has provided training, enabling many women farmers to switch from synthetic fertilisers to agroecological methods.
Agroecology uses natural principles to create resilient and diverse farming systems. It combines scientific knowledge with traditional practices for better food production and healthier ecosystems. Faustina now makes compost from household waste like cassava peels and yam skins. She uses this compost instead of expensive synthetic fertilisers. “This is cheap to produce – we do not buy anything, just waste from our homes,” she explained.
Judith Kumbata, another farmer, noted improvements in yields after adopting organic fertilisers. She encourages other women to follow these methods. Dr. Rechiatu Asei, a soil scientist at Sunyani Technical University, supports this transition. She highlights that agroecological practices like intercropping and organic soil management reduce damage during droughts. These methods also improve soil health and water retention, crucial for climate resilience.
Dr. Asei also pointed out that agroecology improves farmers' incomes. It diversifies risk and increases earnings. EcoCare Ghana, with European Union support, is helping farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture. Project Officer Enock Danso Okyere said they train farmers in methods that do not harm the environment. They also encourage tree planting on farms and along river bodies. These efforts aim to build resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.