750,000 Farmers to benefit from climate change project

The Canadian Feed The Children (CFTC), an independent development agency, has inaugurated a $ 2.4 million Climate Change Adaptation in Northern Ghana Enhanced (CHANGE) project for 750,000 small-scale farmers in the three Northern Regions.

The project, which is being implemented in 17 communities in the Northern, Upper East and West regions is expected to ultimately help increase farm yields and income, lessen the negative impact of erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and declining crop yields which are driving farmers, particularly women deeper into poverty. The project is being funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) with support from the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS),Trade Aid Integrated(TAI) and Tumu Deanery Rural Integrated Development  Programme (TUDRIDEP).

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony in Tamale, the Project Manager, Mr. James Ayando, indicated that the project had three main components. He said it would help to build the adaptive capacity of the farmers through training in climate-smart agricultural practices, weather forecasting, land use practices and vulnerability analysis.

He further indicated that implementation adaptation actions such as using climate-smart techniques to increase agricultural productivity, controlling erosion and planting trees as well as promoting sustainable livelihoods for women through alternative income generating opportunities.

Mr. Ayando noted that the project would also "stimulate alternative sustainable income generation through basket weaving and tree nursery farming".

According to him, the initial funding of the project is for 14 months, but will be extended from April 2014 to December 2015 .It will be  funded by private donors and foundations to consolidate achievements.

The Country Representative of the CFTC, Mr. Edward Akapire, said the CFTC worked through local partners in six countries of Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Bolivia, Haiti and Canada to reduce the impact of poverty on children by supporting sustainable education, food security and capacity building.

The Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Bede Ziedeng, hoped the project would be expanded to include facilitating the picking of shea nuts which he described as a lucrative business and could help reduce poverty among women in the region.

By Vincent Amenuveve, TAMALE
Daily Graphic/graphic.com.gh/
Ghana