Research Scientists from the Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) in collaboration with Lancaster University in the United Kingdom are promoting a water-smart rice cultivating technology in the Ketu North District in the Volta region.
The technology referred to as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), a water-saving technology is being carried out at Weta Rice Irrigation Scheme and other rice fields across the country.
The technology transfer to rice farmers is an aspect of the GCRF AgriFood Africa Innovation Awards Round 2 funded project.
The project is being co-led by Prof Ian Dodd of the Lancaster University, UK and his African Lead Partner Dr Patricia Amankwaa-Yeboah.
Other researchers on the project include Dr Stephen Yeboah, a Senior Research Scientist from CSIR-CRI, Dr Ophelia Asirifi Amoako of CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, (CSIR-SARI) and Mr. Eugene Zori from New Age Agric Solutions.
Speaking at a field day organised for farmers at Weta Rice Irrigation Scheme in the Ketu-North District, Dr. Amankwaa-Yeboah and her co-Principal Investigator, Prof Ian Dodd explained that earlier research has shown that the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technology can improve the levels of micronutrients in rice grains.
According to the research scientists, the current technology is building on the advances and successes of the GCRF funded project also called the Recirculate, which was carried out to boost rice micronutrient levels in Ghana using improved rice genotypes and the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) water-saving technology.
Dr Patricia Amankwaa- Yeboah told farmers that the technology can help alleviate ‘hidden hunger’ in a country where rice is fast replacing staple and indigenous food items if the previous findings are certified to be true for rice genotypes in Ghana.
The CSIR-CRI team of researchers are therefore investigating this assertion using different rice genotypes in trials been conducted on several farmer fields across the country.
A Senior Research Scientist and Co-Principal Investigator of the project, Dr Stephen Yeboah said the project is also investigating the feasibility of introducing “technology package” such as improved rice genotypes with alternate wetting and drying irrigation management as well as nutrient management initiatives to commercial and subsistence farmers in Ghana.
He hinted that the initiative is expected to enhance resilient rice production through minimal water and nutrient usage that enhances food security and nutritional values in locally grown rice.
Dr Yeboah pointed out that inadequate water and nutrient supply reduce crop yields in Ghana stressing on the need for farmers to manage their resources efficiently to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability and local food security.
He noted that the AWD research by CSIR-Crops Research Institute and its partners in the UK has brought many benefits with the technology over the past six years.
He identified environmental sustainability, cost savings in water and crop nutrients, improved yields which has resulted in increased income for farmers as well as savings in labour and fuel used in pumping water for irrigation as some benefits of the research projects.
The Director of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Prof. M. B. Mochiah, urged farmers to adopt the alternate wetting and drying technology to enable them to survive in an ever-changing climate that threatens water availability for sustainable rice production.
Atsu Vincent, a rice farmer and beneficiary of the research project, spoking on behalf of the farmer group, expressed gratitude to the research team and appealed them to continue to engaging farmers in the research process.
He said farmers understand research better when they are engaged directly in the process and are more likely to embrace the technology when they can envisage the future gains associated with it.
He expressed hope that AWD technology would go a long way to help farmers save water but get good yields by using the technology.
The project is being implemented in Weta in the Ketu- North District and other districts with a private company to facilitate commercialization of the product of the research.
