Farm Radio International is relying on eight radio stations in Ghana to carry women along on the realities of climate change adaptation and biodiversity using locally relevant, gender-inclusivity and nature based-solutions.

Farm Radio International is a development organisation that partners radio stations to sensitise African farmers and communities. 

In six countries, on-air dialogue with rural communities are undertaken to discover local priorities about, ideas for and experiences with harnessing nature to adapt to a changing climate.

How it is done

With a focus on women and vulnerable groups, women who call into the programme are selected as "women champions" and rewarded with items such as mobile phones (one of the communication tools used by the organisation), boots and other farming materials to encourage others to listen to the programme.

The panel on these programmes are made up of experts in the field plus agric extension officers who share practical knowledge of how to deal with changing trends.

On its recent study shared with stakeholders including media personnel in Accra, Farm Radio focused on how to improve "soil health" to fight the negative impacts of climate change.

Among the nature-based solutions offered were composting and agroforestry.

Among the agreed practices were planting of economic trees such as cashew and mangoes as well as the introduction of inter-cropping as well as the use of cover crops.

During the study shared by the Programmes Manager, Farm Radio International, Rosemond Ohene and the Acting Director, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Dr Antwi Boasiako- Amoah, on the need to discourage farmers from cutting down tree for charcoal, it was discovered that Kintampo was the worse offender in terms of tree cutting.

Soil testing

In an interactive session to influence policy decision, experts from the Soil Research Institute of the Counsel for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), proposed that on the next project, farmers should be encouraged to undertake soil testing as a primary step towards finding a suitable crop to plant.

They said the current "firefighting" approach by most Ghanaian farmers would not be able to mitigate against the menace.

Chiefly among the suggestions was for Farm Radio to assist the farmers with the testing due to the high cost involved.

The Soil Research Institute said it was ready to offer technical support but would need financial muscle to undertake it.

Environmental crisis

In his address, the Country Representative, Farm Radio International, Benjamin Fiafor, said climate change and biodiversity loss were two of the most defining environmental crises that challenged the world.

He said nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation had evolved as an innovative yet essential tool to address the challenge.

Mr Fiafor said the solution could expedite progression towards a low carbon, equitable, gender-inclusive, greener and positive future.