Ghanaian scientist ask farmers to adapt water catchment systems

By Ghana Business News

Dr Dilys MacCarthy, a scientist at the Soil and Irrigation Research Centre of the University of Ghana has noted that water catchment and storage systems are important to farmers to adapt to changing climate.

She said most farmers in Ghana rely on rainfall for water and yet the pattern and quantities are becoming irregular, hence the need for them to learn technologies and practices which can be used in adaptation to climate change.

Dr MacCarthy said this at a “Meet and Greet,” interactive knowledge sharing programme for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), farmers and researchers to promote climate change networking in Ghana organised by Africa Adapt (AA), an NGO.

She briefed the participants on rainwater harvesting facility and soil formations adapted to flood conditions.

Madam Jacqueline Nnam, Programme Director of AA reiterated that climate change is causing immense havoc to the people and it is therefore important for immediate action to bring together stakeholders to share ideas on how to assist the vulnerable to adapt to the phenomenon.

She said the programme was organised to promote climate change networking.

Dr Ramadjita Tabo, Executive Director of Forum For Agricultural Research in Africa, a subsidiary of New Partnership For African Development, emphasised the reality of climate change and its negative impact and cited the recent heavy rains in Ghana that caused flooding resulting loss of lives and property.

He underscored the need for Africa to adequately prepare itself against such negative impacts of climate change.

Mr Lovans Owusu-Takyi, Executive Director of Youth Volunteers for the Environment in Ghana, an NGO said knowledge sharing workshops are important initiatives to educate farmers and NGOs on the impact of climate change and to provide guidance on adaptation strategies.

He said the most vulnerable are the youth in agriculture who contributed the largest to food security and the national gross domestic product.

Mr Owusu-Takyi, who is also a lecturer at Kumasi Institute of Tropical Agriculture said over flooding of crop farms, low soil fertility and crop yield, conflict over land resources are hampering the development of small-scale farming and a threat to peace in Ghana.

He said sustainable technologies, such as agro-forestry, farm diversification, knowledge on weather patterns and irrigation system are the best farmers could adapt to impact positively on climate change.

Source