ISEES as part of efforts to promote agroecology in Ghana, organized a stakeholder workshop with support from 11th Hour Food Sovereignty Fund for stakeholders in the Ayensuano, Suhum and Nsawam Municipalities including farmer group leaders, women group leaders, youth group leaders, government officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Extension Officers, District Assembly officials, CSO/NGO leaders to discuss efforts to drive agroecology practices, rights and markets among indigenous small holder farmers, women and youth in the districts.
The program was attended by over 110 stakeholders including chiefs and community leaders, with a renewed efforts to drive agroecology in Ghana and help promote the practice in their communities.
Major challenges of food insecurity, unhealthy food due to over use of agrochemicals and pesticides, reducing soil fertility due to overuse of sythetic fertilizers, farmers rights to land, trees, seed which is being challenged by the new government bill on seeds, as well as issues of climate change were prominent in our discussions.
Stakeholders called for intervention on farmers rights to land, seed and trees as a key issue requiring attention, as well as integrating agroforestry practices and creating awareness on the harmful effects of agrochemicals on food crops in Ghana.
The need to practice agroforestry, composting, crop rotation, organic insecticide and organic weed control methods among others became a way forward that the stakeholders committed to but required supporting policies helping with access to market and farmer seed banks.
The workshop went well, sponsored by the 11th hour Agroecology Fund to which ISEES is grateful to.