Dr. Doris Yaa Osei of the CSIR has raised alarm over climate change’s threats to agriculture at the National Farmers’ Day event. She highlighted changing weather patterns that endanger food security and proposed strategies like drought-resistant crops and smart farming practices. She emphasized the need for national awareness and collective efforts to improve local food production to minimize heavy meat imports to Ghana. Dr. Osei underscored agriculture’s significance to the economy and job sector.
Dr. Doris Yaa Osei, acting Deputy Director at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Animal Research Institute, has expressed grave concerns regarding the impending crisis of climate change and its detrimental impact on agriculture and food security. During the recent National Farmers’ Day celebration in Adentan, Accra, she emphasized that climate change poses substantial threats, including erratic rainfall patterns, which challenge food availability and farmers’ livelihoods. Dr. Osei illustrated that climate variability disrupts crop production, jeopardizes livestock feed resources, and increases the risk of bush fires affecting local communities. To mitigate these adverse effects, she proposed the adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties, climate-smart agricultural practices, and efficient water irrigation systems. Such measures, she argued, could reduce losses in both crop and livestock production, ensuring sustainable agricultural output in the face of climate change. Moreover, Dr. Osei referenced a study led by Dr. Kwame Oppong-Anane, which indicated a progressive intensification of climate change effects over the past three decades, forecasted to worsen without substantial policy changes and advanced technological adoption. Dr. Osei called for heightened national awareness about climate change causes and recommended initiatives from government and NGOs aimed at slowing and potentially mitigating climate impacts on agriculture. She urged a collective effort to boost local food and meat production to alleviate the financial burden of imports, citing that in 2022, Ghana imported over 288,000 MT of meat at significant cost. Furthermore, she highlighted the agricultural sector’s critical role in the economy, contributing more than a third to the GDP and employing over half the workforce. It is imperative, she noted, for the Ghanaian government to continue its investment in agriculture, particularly supporting smallholder farmers to enhance production and stabilize incomes.
The discussion surrounding climate change has gained urgency, particularly within the agricultural sector, which is significantly affected by environmental changes. The unpredictability of weather patterns, such as irregular rainfall, not only jeopardizes crop yield but also impacts water availability and livestock management. Employing climate-smart practices is essential to adapt to these changes and secure sustainable food production in the future. The economic implications of these challenges are profound, as agriculture constitutes a substantial portion of many countries’ economies, particularly in Ghana, where the sector is vital for national food security and employment.
In conclusion, Dr. Doris Yaa Osei’s address at the National Farmers’ Day celebration underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat the impending challenges posed by climate change to Ghana’s agriculture. By adopting innovative farming practices and fostering national awareness, stakeholders can work towards building climate resilience in agricultural systems. The emphasis on increasing local production not only addresses food security but also reduces reliance on costly imports, reinforcing the sector’s critical role in the nation’s economy.
Original Source: dailyguidenetwork.com
