The EU funded project being implemented by the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Fumesua was officially launched on 3rd March 2022 at the CSIR – Crops Research Institute, Fumesua. The project entitled “Revenue Diversification pathways in Africa through bio-based and circular Agricultural innovations (DIVAGRI)” is expected to run for 4 years.
DIVAGRI aims to increase the productivity, income and economic opportunities of subsistence and smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa by implementing state-of-the-art, innovative bio-based solutions that will improve agricultural production, enable diversification of crops and increase added-value, create environmental, social and economic sustainability, and generate new local economic opportunities.
The event brought together various stakeholders including community chief farmers, processors, financial institutions, representation from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Ejisu Municipal) and other commodity chain actors and support services in the agricultural value chain.
The Director of CSIR-Crops Research, Prof. M. B. Mochiah, in his speech reiterated the importance of this project in improving the quality of food and farmer livelihood whilst protecting the environment. He again indicated that it was necessary to report from time to time on the progress of the activities on on-going projects and dialogue with stakeholders on best implementation method for mutual benefit. He encouraged members to the LPA to be diligent in their work to ensure proper implementation of the project.
Ing. Dr. Shadrack Kwadwo Amponsah (Principal Investigator), Dr. Eric Owusu Danquah, Ing. Dr. Patricia Amankwaa-Yeboah and Mr. Natson Eyram Amengor took turns to indicate work done so far with the technologies earmarked for piloting and demonstration. These technologies are bio-based and include biochar, biogas, SLECI irrigation, Multi-functional constructed wetlands and Ethnobotanical and intercropping. All these were aimed at improving productivity on farmer fields whiles conserving and improving on the balance in the ecosystem. Participants were taken to observe progress of work on the Multi-functional constructed wetlands and the Ethnobotanical and Intercropping Systems.
In response, the participants appreciated the opportunity to be part of the DIVAGRI project and the continuous engagement and pledged their unflinching support for a successful implementation of the project. The Project Team include Ing. Dr. Shadrack Kwadwo Amponsah (Principal Investigator), Dr. Eric Owusu Danquah (Demo Site Leader), Ing. Dr. Patricia Amankwaa-Yeboah (lead for SLECI Irrigation) and Mr. Natson Eyram Amengor (lead for Community of Practice and LPA).
