Life in a Changing Landscape, Phase I

Why the project was needed

Smallholder farmers in the Asuogyaman District face unpredictable weather, declining soil fertility, inadequate extension support, pests and diseases, and constraints in accessing markets and credit. The project sought to strengthen farmer capacity, community participation and the practical adoption of climate-smart agricultural methods.

Implementation

Team capacity building

Hybrid preparation sessions aligned project objectives, strengthened coordination and prepared facilitators in climate-smart agriculture, inclusive community engagement and team management.

Community entry

Preliminary visits in Asikuma and Kwanyarko introduced the project, mobilised farmers and gathered information about local agricultural conditions.

Focus-group discussions

Participating farmers identified erratic rainfall, declining soil fertility, limited markets and credit, inadequate extension support, and pest and disease pressures as important challenges. These discussions informed the training programme.

Practical training

Training covered reduced soil disturbance, soil cover, indigenous seeds, compost and biostimulants, multispecies cover crops, crop rotation and integrated land preparation. The sessions connected these practices to agricultural adaptation, mitigation and soil management.

Resource distribution

Each participating farmer received a cutlass. Selected groups, particularly groups involving women, received maize, chicken manure and cover-crop seeds, including cream mucuna, bush mucuna and canavalia. Farmers practising slash-not-burn methods also received recognition.