Dr. Doris Yaa Osei warns of climate change’s threats to agriculture during the National Farmers’ Day celebration. She suggests adopting drought-tolerant crops and innovative practices to sustain food security. Addressing a study’s findings, she emphasizes the need for national awareness and increased domestic production to reduce costly imports. Agriculture remains crucial to Ghana’s GDP and workforce, highlighting the importance of resilience in the face of climate challenges.
Dr. Doris Yaa Osei, the Acting Deputy Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Animal Research Institute, has emphasized the urgent risks posed by climate change, particularly concerning agriculture and food security. Addressing participants at the National Farmers’ Day celebration in Adentan, Accra, she highlighted the challenges that unpredictable weather patterns bring to food availability and the livelihoods of citizens. To combat these threats, she proposed implementing drought-resistant crops, efficient irrigation methods, and sustainable farming practices to help maintain agricultural production in the face of climate variability. She pointed to a recent study in the Kwahu Afram Plains which noted that the effects of climate change on agriculture have intensified over the past 30 years, with expectations of continued deterioration unless proactive measures are undertaken. Dr. Osei called for increased national awareness regarding the causes of climate change and the importance of adopting mitigation strategies, stressing the role of government and NGOs in this effort. She urged her fellow citizens to enhance domestic food production, particularly meat, to reduce import reliance, citing data from 2022 that revealed the nation imported over 288,000 metric tons of meat at a great financial cost. Dr. Osei underscored the significance of agriculture in the Ghanaian economy, contributing over a third of the GDP and employing a majority of the workforce. The government has made considerable investments aimed at boosting production and improving the incomes of farmers, especially smallholders, indicating agriculture’s vital role in national stability and food security.
The article highlights the critical intersection of climate change and agriculture, particularly in Ghana. Climate change is increasingly recognized as a significant threat to food security and agricultural sustainability. Notably, changing weather patterns disrupt not only crop yields but also livestock production and resource availability. The insights shared by Dr. Doris Yaa Osei reflect a broader concern among agricultural scientists and policy-makers regarding the need for adaptive agricultural practices and national-level awareness to address impending challenges associated with climate change.
In summary, Dr. Doris Yaa Osei has brought attention to the serious implications of climate change for agriculture, advocating for immediate action to adopt resilient farming practices. The call for national awareness and proactive measures underscores the urgency of addressing these issues comprehensively. By enhancing local food production and mitigating reliance on imports, Ghana can strive towards greater food security while navigating the ongoing climate crisis.
Original Source: dailyguidenetwork.com
