Tamale: Professor Felix Kofi Abagale, Director of the West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (WACWISA) at the University for Development Studies, has showcased a range of smart agricultural innovations designed to boost food security and build climate resilience.
According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Abagale made a presentation at the opening of the 34th biennial conference of the Ghana Science Association (GSA) in Tamale, highlighting innovations such as the DropAPP, a mobile-based weather information service tailored for farmers. He explained that the app integrates indigenous knowledge with scientific weather forecasting and provides real-time data on rainfall, temperature, and soil conditions. It is designed to be user-friendly and accessible even to farmers with limited literacy.
He also showcased other technologies, including an AI-assisted smart irrigation control system that uses predictive algorithms to optimize water use, achieving up to 29 percent savings. Other innovations included the conversion of organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendments, the use of constructed wetlands to improve water quality, and vertical and hydroponic farming models that maximize productivity in limited spaces, especially in urban and peri-urban areas.
Professor Abagale remarked, "These innovations bring together modern science and indigenous knowledge to make farming more efficient, climate-smart, and profitable for smallholder farmers."
The week-long conference, hosted by the Tamale branch of GSA, aims to explore science-led solutions for national development. Participants include scientists, technologists, policymakers, traditional and religious leaders, and students, among other stakeholders. The theme of the conference is 'Leveraging Innovative Science to Strengthen Public-Private-Partnership for Sustainable Development in Ghana'.
The event is supported by several organizations, including the Energy Commission, Petroleum Commission, Ghana Standards Authority, National Petroleum Authority, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, News Corporation, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Pumptech Limited, and University for Development Studies.
Presentations during the conference will focus on sustainable agriculture innovations for food security, biomedical innovations for improved healthcare, environmental conservation, science education and policy, water resources management, and proactive public-private partnerships to support the 'Reset Ghana' agenda.
Professor Gideon Kofi Helegbe, Honourary National President of GSA, in a speech read on his behalf by Dr. Francis Addy, National Secretary of GSA, stated that the conference would go beyond issuing a communiqu© to producing actionable policy briefs to support national development priorities.
Mr. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, in a speech read on his behalf by Hajia Shamima Muslim, a Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, reaffirmed the government's commitment to fostering an ecosystem where science, technology, innovation, and private sector ingenuity converge to deliver sustainable solutions.
