Bolgatanga Farmers' Seed Fair highlights indigenous seeds and agroecology

Trax Ghana and the Beela project jointly organized the Bolgatanga Farmers' Seed Fair on Saturday, May 10, 2025, to promote indigenous seeds and agroecological practices.

The event commenced with a float through the principal streets of Bolgatanga, featuring farmers from various communities in the Upper East Region holding placards that highlighted the need to protect indigenous seeds to promote nutritional health and preserve their culture.

The main event took place at the Upper East Regional Jubilee Park in Bolgatanga.

The event itinerary included the introduction of the chairperson and dignitaries. Vincent Subbey, the Trax Ghana Executive Director, delivered the welcome address and opening remarks, emphasizing Trax Ghana's commitment to working with smallholder farmers to promote agroecology and address soil fertility issues.

A keynote address was presented by the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaruun, which stressed the importance of farmers going back to their roots by focusing on their local indigenous seeds.

The program included Farmer's Agroecological Knowledge Sharing sessions led by Community Facilitators, discussions on Climate Change and Our Food Systems by the Farmer Training Centre, and an Indigenous Food Demo by the Beo Tankoo Community Women.

Mr. Vincent Subbey, the Executive Director of Trax Ghana, emphasized the need to promote local and indigenous seeds to counteract the growing dependence on hybrid seeds and GMOs, which he noted are not sustainable. He stressed the importance of maintaining soil health and environmental conservation to ensure food security and cultural identity.

Cultural performances interspersed the event, adding a celebratory and artistic dimension. A key activity was the Farmers' Seed Showcase/Sharing/Exchange, coordinated by Alice Amoobono and Patrick Dok, which allowed farmers to exchange and display their local and indigenous seeds.

Messages from partner organisations, including The Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), Widows & Orphans Movement – WOM, Youth Volunteers for the Environment (YVE), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), and Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG), were also delivered. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Abena Offeh-Gyamah, Manager of The Beela Project.

Madam Abena Offeh-Gyamah, Manager of the Beela Project, highlighted the project's mission to preserve local and indigenous seeds in partnership with Trax Ghana, emphasizing their heritage value and importance for food sovereignty and economic empowerment of farmers. She called on local and central authorities to support farmers in their efforts to preserve and protect seeds.

The fair attracted a diverse range of participants, including Municipal and Regional Heads, Revered Chiefs and Queen Mothers, farmers from Trax-Ghana working communities, and representatives from various NGOs and institutions.

Mr. Ibrahim Salifu, an agroecological farmer working with Traxbeela, shared his knowledge on indigenous seeds, noting their adaptation to local environments and resilience to local conditions. He contrasted them with imported seeds, which he said often require chemical inputs, and advocated for a return to traditional, field-based farming practices.

Invited guests from Greater Accra, Upper West, Volta, and Eastern Regions, as well as Ivory Coast, also attended, highlighting the regional and international significance of the event. Prominent attendees included representatives from the Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (CSIR-PGRRI), Youth Volunteers for the Environment (YVE), RefeB (Ivory Coast), Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG), and the Community Organization for Rural Development (CORD) Ghana.

Brief interviews with participating farmers and communities at the fair revealed strong advocacy for the preservation of indigenous seeds and the adoption of agroecological practices.

Other participating farmers, such as Mr. Koffi Wisdom Adjawalo and Madam Elizabeth Nyaba, echoed the sentiment of protecting local seeds and promoting agroecology. Mr. Adjawalo, from Youth Volunteer for Environment Ghana, emphasized the struggle between local and modified seed economies and the importance of seed sovereignty. Madam Elizabeth highlighted the value of seed exchange and the health benefits of local seeds.

The Bolgatanga Farmers' Seed Fair served as a platform for farmers, NGOs, and community leaders to converge, share knowledge, and advocate for the preservation of indigenous seeds and agroecological practices. The event underscored the critical role of these practices in ensuring food security, environmental sustainability, and the preservation of cultural heritage.