CSIR-SARI Technology Park to enhance food security and productivity in West Africa

By Samuel SAM

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has established an Agricultural Technology Park (ATP), an innovative agricultural demonstration and training hub designed to promote climate-smart agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and bridge the gap between research and practical application to enhance food security and productivity in West Africa.

The park, established in collaboration with the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) and the Innovation Research Extension and Advisory Coordination Hub Consortium under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme, serves as a hands-on demonstration site for advanced crop varieties, agronomic practices, and agricultural technologies.

It also functions as a training centre for farmers, youth, researchers, and extension agents, to facilitate the adoption of innovations that promote resilient agriculture.

The facility showcases genetic and agronomic innovations such as improved maize, cowpea, and rice varieties, while demonstrating integrated soil management, optimised planting, and seed multiplication strategies. It also supports youth empowerment through seed production enterprises and a start-up fund.

Council Chairman of CSIR, Ing. Mark A. Taylor, accompanied by the Director-General of CSIR, Prof. Paul P. Bosu, SARI Director, Dr. Francis Kusi, and a team from the headquarters, paid a working visit to the Institute and the Park. He commended the management and research scientists at SARI for their tremendous effort and innovation in advancing agricultural technology and contributing to food production and security in the country.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the growing demand for technological innovations to enhance agricultural practices, boost crop production, create jobs, and increase food security to stabilise Ghana’s economy.

“This technology park is critical to the government’s poverty reduction programme, and there is therefore the need for increased investment to help them achieve their objectives,” he noted.

He emphasised that agriculture remains key to poverty alleviation and highlighted CSIR’s pivotal role as Ghana’s premier research institution in helping the government achieve its goals in that regard.

Ing. Taylor appealed for support to address infrastructure deficits, lack of laboratory equipment, staff motivation, and capacity training across the various institutes.

“As a board, we needed to come here and see for ourselves what these hardworking scientists are doing, and we are impressed by the level of activity taking place here,” he said. “We are touring all 13 institutes and other research stations to assess their progress.”

Director-General of CSIR, Prof. Paul P. Bosu, stressed that one of the key tenets of research and development is the transfer of research outcomes to end users.

He noted that the government’s 24-hour economy initiative has a strong agricultural component, underscoring the need for greater investment not only in funding but also in laboratory equipment, vehicles, and other resources to support scientific research and demonstration.

Director of SARI, Dr. Francis Kusi, expressed appreciation to the CSIR leadership for visiting the Technology Park.

“The technology park is a one-stop facility designed to transform agriculture in Ghana by supporting improved crop varieties that are high-yielding and resilient to the effects of climate variability,” he said.

“None of the imported varieties can match those developed here, yet ours cost just about GH?500 compared to GH?1,200 or more for the imported ones,” he added.

Dr. Kusi said the establishment of the park aims to showcase SARI’s capabilities in advancing agricultural innovation and contributing to national development.

“We are open to all key stakeholders, including seed companies, policymakers, agricultural extension agents, donors, and others interested in supporting Ghana’s agricultural sector,” he stated.

He called for nationwide support for CSIR to enable it to scale up its research and innovations, helping farmers reduce production costs, increase productivity, and make farming more profitable.

The post CSIR-SARI Technology Park to enhance food security and productivity in West Africa appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story