The long dry season—from November to April every year—used to be a hardship for the village of Kunkua in the Bolgatanga-East District of Ghana. But now, a solar-powered water system has transformed their fortunes in a remarkable way. Catastrophic climate change The northern region of Ghana is believed to be one of the most vulnerable to climate change. Longer and more frequent periods of drought have spelt disaster for the
To advance the use of gender-transformative approaches in climate-resilient agriculture (CRA), a review of practical resources that could support researchers and practitioners in applying gender and CRA was undertaken. The review consolidates and assesses diverse, practical resources—including research tools, methods and broader guidance—that aim to address gender inequalities/inequities, climate and agriculture, albeit to varying degrees. A conceptual framework was developed to guide the review. This framework helped establish the gender
Walk just a little bit outside the community of Gamoa Onyadzie in the Central Region of Ghana, and you’re likely to come across government-owned forestation projects — tracts of land where the government is planting trees to establish forests. The community is host to a large-scale partnership with the Forestry Commission of Ghana that, if successful, could redefine how forestation projects are done in the country. For years, the community
The ACP-MEAs 3 project brings hope to the farmers in Zimbabwe, who are facing the challenges of climate change head-on and are determined to adapt to these challenges using nature-based solutions. In a region where about 70 per cent of the population depends on agriculture, the frequency of El Niño occurrences in Southern Africa surpasses the norm, resulting in erratic weather patterns that significantly impact food security. With the return
Climate change is making extreme weather events more intense and frequent. Warning systems that are accurate, easy to use and provide the right climate information help limit loss of life and livelihoods. With advance warning, small-scale farmers get precious time to store produce and animals safely and to prepare for disaster. Even when some damage is unavoidable, it can make it easier to recover. Yet only half of the least-developed countries
Forests cover over 30% of the Earth’s land surface and act as our planet’s lungs. They absorb harmful greenhouse gases, regulate climate, and provide vital resources for millions of people. On March 21st, we celebrate the International Day of Forests, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. This year’s theme, “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World,” underscores the urgent need for creative solutions to
In a context of climate change and increasing economic challenges, the cross-border area of Liptako-Gourma, shared between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, finds itself at a crossroads. Facing these challenges, the Breeder-Fattening Livestock Farming (French: Élevage Naisseur Couplé à l’Embouche – ENCEM) emerges as an innovative solution, offering households in this region a sustainable path to improve their climate resilience. The ENCEM initiative, driven by the Federation of Unions of
What are rural sub-Saharan African communities saying about climate change? How can we bring their voices to influence decisions? How can you use these results to better influence and guide your own programs? That’s what we’re setting out to answer in this webinar. As part of Farm Radio International’s “On-Air for Gender-Inclusive Nature-based Solutions” project, they hosted a series of On Air Dialogues with rural people across sub-Saharan Africa, specifically
In the heart of Africa, where agriculture forms the lifeblood of communities and the backbone of economies, there exists a paradox. While the continent has vast agricultural potential and is home to diverse ecosystems and abundant natural resources, it faces a staggering challenge: food loss and waste. As we mark Food Loss and Waste Day 2023 with the theme “Reducing food loss and waste: Taking Action to Transform Food Systems“,
Farm Radio International’s Executive Director, Kevin Perkins, recently spoke with the president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alvaro Lario. Mr. Lario was in Ottawa during his first visit to Canada. They spoke about how IFAD is supporting small-scale farmers, how climate change is affecting farmers, and how IFAD is engaging communities in finding solutions to the big challenges they face. The following is an edited, abridged transcript
