WATER CONSERVATION
KWAME ANANE
CROPS: maize, cocoa, cassava, plantain, tomato, cabbage and pepper
Kwame’s fields rely on rain-fed irrigation; this is a system that uses buckets for water collection and manually-dug rivulets that help control water flow. These methods help reduce water and crop loss in an effort to sustain water conservation. “There is no irrigation facility here; we just rely on rain water. The mulch cover protects the topsoil from direct sunlight and helps to keep the soil moist. When you take off the mulch, you always see that the surface of the soil is moist.”
INCREASED YIELDS
SAMUEL AMPONSAH
CROPS: cocoa, maize, pepper, cassava and plantain
Samuel is a minister, community leader and CA farmer. Like many farmers in his region, he began farming on a small parcel of land, practicing traditional slash and burn cultivation techniques. After seeing the success of HGBF | CNTA farmers in his community, Samuel began incorporating these practices into his own farming. “Since adopting these practices, the yield from my two acres of land has increased by 60%.”
WEED & PEST MANAGeMENT
APPIAH JAMES
CROPS: maize, pepper, plantain, cocoyam and garden eggs
Appiah James is a 23-year-old farmer in the tropical region of Amanchia, Ghana. In the tropical climate, weed and pest control are a constant challenge for farmers using traditional practices. James has built a highly productive farm with diversified crops that he sells in the local market.
SUSTAINING ARABLE LAND
ALEX MENSAH
CROPS: maize, plantain, cassava, cocoyam, cabbage and okra
Alex Mensah owns a highly productive CA farm in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Alex chose to use no-till practices to build and sustain his nutrient-rich soils in the harsh weather conditions of his region. “The climate has changed, and there is less rainfall with more heat from the sun. Exposing the soil to direct sunlight causes reduction in the water retention capacity of the soil. By not tilling and leaving mulch on the topsoil, every drop of water is conserved.”
Reduced labor
ADWOA & LINDA FAATI
CROPS: plantain, maize and cassava
Adwoa is a busy mother and a CA farmer. Adwoa’s daughter Linda is a junior high school student.
CA has provided a path for Adwoa to generate a healthy income for her family while also managing the daily responsibilities of caring for her children and household.
INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
KWAME ANANE
CROPS: cocoa, maize, pepper, cassava and plantain
Kwame Anane is a CA farmer in Amanchia, Ghana. Kwame began no-till farming on a small parcel of land and quickly expanded his acreage through the reinvestment of profits from his increased harvest. “I got a lot of profit from produce on my no-till field, and I was really happy and proud of the improvement I had made in my farming.”
access to education
FELICIA YEBOAH
CROPS: maize, beans, pepper, plantain, cocoyam and cassava
Felicia Yeboah is a busy mother of eight, the financial head of her household, and a CA farmer. She has built a highly productive no-till operation and astutely reinvested the profit from her surplus yields to expand the family’s farm land base.
FOOD & NUTRITION SECURITY
DR. KWAA
CROPS: plantain, cocoa, cocoyam, cassava, maize, beans, cabbage and carrots
Dr. Kwaa operates a thriving family practice clinic located outside of Kumasi, Ghana. He offers the following description of himself: “I’m a medical officer, and I’m a no-till farmer.” He is a strong proponent of CA as a means for families to achieve a nutritionally balanced plate.