Sunyani: Mr. Richard Adu-Poku, a climate change expert, has raised concerns that numerous agri-businesses are on the brink of collapse owing to the severe impacts of climate change on subsistence farming within the country. He emphasized the urgent need for enhanced adaptation and mitigation strategies to avert extreme drought conditions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Adu-Poku highlighted that climate change is severely affecting subsistence farming, which constitutes approximately 70% of the nation's agricultural practices. He noted that many agri-businesses depend heavily on subsistence farmers for raw materials, and their inability to produce sufficient crops could hinder business operations.
Mr. Adu-Poku, who is also the Executive Director of Livelihood Environment Ghana (LEG), an NGO focused on environmental issues, stressed the importance of training subsistence farmers in modern agricultural techniques such as mulching and the use of drought-resistant crops. He was speaking during an interview in Sunyani on the implementation of the Post COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP).
He warned that the looming scarcity of food crops due to erratic rainfall, unpredictable weather patterns, and extreme heat threatens the stability of some agri-businesses. The PSDPEP project, which the Ghana News Agency is part of, aims to restore livelihoods and create jobs, especially for women and youth, with support from the African Development Bank's $30 million initiative.
Mr. Adu-Poku expressed concern over the lack of urgency in government actions toward improving climate change adaptation and mitigation. He urged the government and its development partners to construct more irrigation facilities and reduce the use of synthetic agro-chemicals. Additionally, he advocated for intensified public education on climate change to foster greater community involvement in mitigation efforts.
In a related discussion, Mr. Kofi Vinyo, CEO of Kofi Vinyo and Company Limited, an organic agro-processing firm, appealed for government support to bolster agri-business operations. Citing challenges in the business environment, Mr. Vinyo emphasized the need for financial aid to expand operations and create employment opportunities.
Currently exporting organic tiger nut products to the EU, US, and Canada, Mr. Vinyo pointed out the necessity for modern equipment and irrigation facilities to enhance production capacity, which is currently hampered by erratic rainfall.
