EVERYONE NEEDS A PLANET

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EVERYONE NEEDS A PLANET

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EVERYONE NEEDS A PLANET » EVERYONE NEEDS A PLANET »

Farmers in Ghana are feeling the impact of climate change.

Our partner, Methodist Development and Relief Services (MDRS), help farmers as they adapt to these changes and learn new agricultural practices that will improve their crops and ensure sustainability in their industry. Farmers know their land and know the issues they face. MDRS help them address these challenges and find innovative solutions.

To make the world better for everyone, listening to local knowledge and expertise is vital.

MORE ABOUT PARTNERS FEATURED ON THIS PAGE:

Mrs Adwoa Sam is a farmer living on the south coast of Ghana, West Africa. Her farm was destroyed by flooding before WDR partner, MDRS, made contact with her community.

Mrs Adwoa Sam is a farmer living on the south coast of Ghana, West Africa. Her farm was destroyed by flooding before WDR partner, MDRS, made contact with her community.

It can largely be women who are present at the home who do the farming in the Ekumfi region. Men are often seeking work elsewhere.

It can largely be women who are present at the home who do the farming in the Ekumfi region. Men are often seeking work elsewhere.

Land is cleared by burning the vegetation. This causes habitat destruction, erosion, smoke, rapidly falling productivity and increasing pests. There must be a better way.

Land is cleared by burning the vegetation. This causes habitat destruction, erosion, smoke, rapidly falling productivity and increasing pests. There must be a better way.

Farmers gather under one of the few remaining trees for shade. There are two rainy seasons and the average daytime temperature is 30 degrees.

Farmers gather under one of the few remaining trees for shade. There are two rainy seasons and the average daytime temperature is 30 degrees.

Nearly 60% of the world’s charcoal is produced in Africa. This causes deforestation as well as releasing harmful smoke.

Nearly 60% of the world’s charcoal is produced in Africa. This causes deforestation as well as releasing harmful smoke.

A community kiln produces charcoal with a more efficient wood to charcoal conversion rate and with less smoke released.

A community kiln produces charcoal with a more efficient wood to charcoal conversion rate and with less smoke released.

Individuals in the community are trained to manage and maintain the kiln.

Individuals in the community are trained to manage and maintain the kiln.

WDR works with people of all faiths and none. Madam Hawa is the wife of the local Muslim chief. The whole village have benefitted from working with MDRS, WDR’s Methodist partner.

WDR works with people of all faiths and none. Madam Hawa is the wife of the local Muslim chief. The whole village have benefitted from working with MDRS, WDR’s Methodist partner.

Harvested wood sits waiting to be taken to the community kiln. Charcoal is used locally in rural areas or transported to the towns and cities for sale.

Harvested wood sits waiting to be taken to the community kiln. Charcoal is used locally in rural areas or transported to the towns and cities for sale.

New disease-resistant coconuts are now being planted. Coconut trees provide a sustainable source of food, fuel and building materials.

New disease-resistant coconuts are now being planted. Coconut trees provide a sustainable source of food, fuel and building materials.

Relying on just one crop is risky. MDRS has encouraged Ekumfi farmers to diversify into peppers, pineapples (pictured) and vegetables.

Relying on just one crop is risky. MDRS has encouraged Ekumfi farmers to diversify into peppers, pineapples (pictured) and vegetables.

Some farmers have started to keep small livestock. Goats need to be well managed as they can be very destructive. Goat rearing provides meat, milk and manure.

Some farmers have started to keep small livestock. Goats need to be well managed as they can be very destructive. Goat rearing provides meat, milk and manure.

WDR works for the future. 38% of Ghanaians are 0 to 14 years of age (Republic of Ireland – 21%, United Kingdom -18%).

WDR works for the future. 38% of Ghanaians are 0 to 14 years of age (Republic of Ireland – 21%, United Kingdom -18%).

The community poses amongst the fast-growing woodlot (trees for profit), a sustainable enterprise.

The community poses amongst the fast-growing woodlot (trees for profit), a sustainable enterprise.

MEET RICHARD

A farmer from the Eastern Region in Ghana

No Till farming is an agricultural technique designed to protect the quality of soil and stop erosion. Recent funding from WDR has been used by MDRS to cover costs for four farmers to attending a week-long training programme in this technique.

It is hoped that by adopting No Till practices, which are much more environmentally friendly than traditional methods, crop yields will improve, soil fertility will increase and the ecological diversities of their farm will grow.

Richard plans to split his farm land in half; on one side he will continue farming with traditional methods and on the other side he will implement the No Till methods. This will allow him to compare the two techniques and other farmers can come and see the comparison for themselves.

“Wherever there are inequalities, that is where we want to be. Our core is to support people who are left out.”

— Enoch Osafo,
Director, Methodist Development and Relief Services

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