GLOWA holds climate smart workshop for farmers in Ho and Adaklu

GLOWA Holds Climate Smart Workshop for Farmers In Ho and Adaklu

A World Bank report has raised alarms about the growing impact of climate change in Ghana, warning that extreme weather events—such as floods and droughts—are becoming more frequent.

The report estimates that nearly two million Ghanaians are at risk of food insecurity, especially in rural areas and the Northern Region. It also highlights increased vulnerability to diseases like malaria, diarrhoea, and heat-related illnesses, with children, the elderly, and the youth being particularly at risk.

In response to these challenges, the Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA), a women’s rights and non-governmental organization, organized a one-day workshop on Climate Smart Farming for 14 women farmers from Ho Municipal and Adaklu District in the Volta Region.

During the session, Mr. Samson Tettey Nettey, Crop Officer at the Ho Municipal Assembly, expressed serious concerns over post-harvest losses. He revealed that approximately 40 percent of farm produce is lost each year due to poor post-harvest handling and lack of proper machinery.

Maize and rice farms are the hardest hit, he said, due to the unavailability of combined harvesters. Many farmers are forced to rely on manual labor, which is becoming scarce as young people abandon farming. Mr. Nettey cited a case where a rice field remained unharvested for over a month, leading to a 60 to 70 percent loss as the crops lodged and became unharvestable by machine.

Although government policies aim to support mechanization, Mr. Nettey noted that access to public machinery is often delayed or politicized. He called for greater private sector involvement in providing timely mechanization services. He also mentioned that the new Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Edem Kpotosu, plans to establish a mechanization center to help close this gap.

Storage remains another major issue. Most farmers lack access to proper facilities, pest control measures, and moisture testing equipment. As a result, produce often spoils within six months. Ho has only one functional government storage facility, which is outdated and overburdened—forcing farmers from distant areas like Akatsi to depend on it. Mr. Nettey urged the completion of storage warehouses initiated by the previous government and improvements in extension services to reach more farmers. He concluded that reducing post-harvest losses would not only boost food security but also lower food prices and improve farmer livelihoods across the Volta Region.

Mr. Godwin Agbenyegah, Ho Municipal Director of Agriculture and another facilitator, highlighted the harmful effects of overusing agrochemicals. He explained that excessive chemical use disrupts ecosystems by eliminating beneficial insects and plants, encouraging the rise of more resistant pests. This weakens the soil and reduces its ability to support crops during dry spells.

“Soil organisms such as earthworms play a critical role in maintaining soil health by aerating the ground and retaining moisture,” he said. Their decline due to chemical exposure hardens the soil and increases crop vulnerability during droughts. “Even short dry spells now cause significant crop losses.”

He advocated for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which emphasizes prevention and mechanical methods—such as handpicking pests—over chemical use. “Agrochemicals should be a last resort,” he stressed, warning against the use of banned or substandard products like Paraquat. He urged farmers to receive proper training and use protective gear when applying chemicals, and to understand each product’s environmental and health impact.

Instead of relying on herbicides, he encouraged farmers to adopt manual practices such as weeding, which protect soil health, ensure food safety, and build resilience to climate change.

Mr. Benjamin Senyo, Crop Officer for the Adaklu District, provided training on Climate Smart Agriculture, explaining how it helps farmers adapt to unpredictable weather. “It prepares us for changing weather like too much sun or unpredictable rain,” he said. “Because rains now come late and heat often dries out the soil, crops die easily and farming becomes harder. To avoid poor harvests, we need smarter ways to farm.”

He outlined key practices including crop diversification, use of drought-resistant seeds like Abontem maize, mulching to retain soil moisture, composting, planting trees, and rainwater harvesting. Crop rotation and early planting were also recommended. “Farming smart today means securing food for tomorrow,” he emphasised.

One participant, Jubilant Yevu—a farmer and seamstress from Adaklu Goefe—shared her personal experience with climate-related losses. She described how erratic rainfall last season led to poor maize yields and a surge in armyworm infestations. With a failed harvest, she now buys maize just to feed her family. Other crops like tomatoes also suffered, causing significant financial setbacks.

Despite these hardships, Madam Yevu expressed appreciation for the workshop. She learned that misusing certain weed killers can harm crops and human health. She was especially impressed by the session on rubber mulching, which naturally suppresses weeds. "I now feel better equipped to adopt safer, climate-smart farming methods," she said.