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 crop diversification and increase added-value, create environmental, social and economic sustainability, and generate new local economic opportunities.
The event brought together various stakeholders including community leaders, chief farmers, processors, financial institutions, representatives from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Ejisu Municipal) and a representative of the Municipal Chief Executive.
The Director of CSIR-Crops Research, Prof. M. B. Mochiah, in his speech indicated the importance of this project to improving the quality of food and farmer livelihood while protecting the environment. He added that the farmers, who are the direct beneficiaries of the various bio-based technologies the project presents, should take it seriously and apply to their farming systems. Ing. Dr. Shadrack Kwadwo Amponsah, the Principal Investigator of the project, highlighted the various bio-based technologies comprising, biochar, biogas, SLECI irrigation, multi purpose constructed wetlands and ethnobotanical as well as intercropping studies. He added that the project’s objective is to present tools and knowledge on these technologies to farmers in an effort to increase their productivity and improve their socio-economic wellbeing.
Participants appreciated the opportunity to be part of the DIVAGRI project inception and pledged their unflinching support for a successful implementation of the project.
The other team members include Dr. Eric Owusu Danquah, Ing. Dr. Patricia Amankwaa-Yeboah and Mr. Natson Eyram Amengor.
