CSIR targets food sufficiency with science-driven farming deal

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ARIMA Farms Ghana to enhance wheat and soybean production in the country.

The partnership aims to introduce newly improved, high-yielding varieties of both crops onto the Ghanaian market as part of broader efforts to boost food security.

These improved crop varieties are expected to be ready for commercial use within the next three years.

The MoU was signed by the Deputy Director-General of CSIR-Ghana, Professor Marian D. Quain, and the Managing Director of ARIMA Farms Ltd, Ms Saalai Manikam, on behalf of their respective institutions.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Quain underscored the vital role of scientific research in achieving national food sufficiency.

She explained that the agreement would cover critical areas such as crop introduction, scientific research, soil nutrient management, capacity building, and the adoption of agricultural technologies.

“You can’t just bring in seeds and start planting. Any new variety must undergo extensive trials, be evaluated across the country’s agro-ecological zones, and be registered with the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) before it can be utilised and CSIR is the institution mandated to provide the scientific data for this process,” she stated.

Prof. Quain revealed the seed varieties submitted by ARIMA Farms are currently undergoing trials in parts of the country.

“We are doing trials in the Northern part of Ghana, and we have mapped out other areas like Drobonso in the Ashanti region, where we have identified farmlands,” she disclosed.

She noted that CSIR, as part of its five-year strategic plan, was positioning itself to significantly contribute to national efforts aimed at making Ghana food sufficient.

“With the government’s reset agenda, CSIR is pushing strongly for import substitution to reduce the high cost of food imports,” she said.

“We are actively involved in key national programmes such as the 24-Hour Economy, Blue Ghana, Feed Ghana and others, working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to realise this vision,” she added.

Ms Manikam, the MD of Arima Farms, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to producing high-quality, environmentally sustainable food through science-based approaches.

“To compete globally and feed our nation efficiently, we need to embrace science,” she mentioned.

She indicated that ARIMA has been collaborating with CSIR’s Crop Research Institute since 2021, adding that the current partnership would focus on wheat and soybean cultivation, including wheat seed multiplication to reduce the country’s dependency on imported grains.

As part of its inclusive model, the company, Ms Manikam emphasised, would integrate smallholder farmers as outgrowers by providing them with inputs and technical support along with guaranteed off-take at the farm gate.

“The second phase of the project will also dedicate portions of farmland to young people, train them, and support their transition into agripreneurs to help reduce unemployment,” Ms Manikam added.