The savanna Agricultural Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI) recently conducted specialized training sessions for smallholder farmers under the Grow Further Bambara Groundnut Project to enhance Bambara groundnut production.
Farmers in the Fragra No.4 and Fragra No.6 communities, along with the Kusawgu and Jiramoape communities, who are engaged in bambara groundnut production, benefited from the training aimed at optimizing yield and sustainability.
Led by Mr. Edem Halolo and Madam Rashidatu Abdulai, both Assistant Research Scientists at CSIR-SARI specializing in Biochar and Compost production, the training sessions held in the communities emphasized the adoption of innovative agricultural techniques to bolster Bambara nut yields.
Through practical demonstrations, farmers were equipped with the knowledge and skills to produce biochar from locally available farm waste materials, offering a sustainable solution to soil enrichment.
Mr. Halolo highlighted the pivotal role of biochar in improving soil health and nutrient retention, which are crucial factors in achieving higher crop yields.
Complementing this approach, Madam Abdulai discussed the benefits of compost in enhancing soil fertility and crop productivity. She emphasized the importance of integrating compost alongside conventional fertilizers to create a balanced and nutrient-rich soil environment conducive to Bambara nut cultivation.
Farmers were guided through compost preparation, empowering them to harness organic resources effectively for enhanced agricultural outcomes.
The training sessions, organized under the Grow Further Bambara Groundnut Project, aligned with the project’s overarching objectives of promoting food security, climate resilience, and income generation among smallholder farmers in northern Ghana.
The Project also aims to unlock the full potential of indigenous crops like Bambara Groundnut through targeted interventions and capacity-building initiatives.
Through partnerships with organizations like CSIR-SARI, Grow Further aims to revolutionize agricultural practices and uplift rural communities by harnessing the power of innovative technologies and sustainable farming methods.
The training sessions exemplified a collaborative effort towards realizing these goals, with farmers poised to implement newfound knowledge and techniques to propel Bambara nut production to new heights.
Mr. Alhassan Nuhu Jinbaani, an Agricultural Economist at CSIR-SARI and the Principal Investigator of the Project, explained the rationale behind training farmers on biochar and compost preparation.
