On April 10, 2025, the CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) welcomed a high-level delegation led by H.E. Jules-Armand Aniambossou, Ambassador of France to Ghana, on a working visit to the CSIR-SARI head office at Nyankpala.
In Nyankpala, Ghana – for a significant boost in agricultural research and development (R&D), the Excellence in Breeding (EiB)’s Crops to End Hunger (CtEH) Project has officially handed over a newly constructed seed processing unit and rehabilitated irrigation facilities to the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The seed processing unit consisted of a Cold room, seed processing area, seed moisture meters, and seed counters. In addition, a John Deere 90hp tractor with a planter and thresher was also handed over to the institute to promote research activities. To facilitate off-season breeding activities, the project also rehabilitated a 6-hectare irrigation field equipped with an electric pump. The inauguration ceremony took place on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the institute’s headquarters in Nyankpala.
The technical trainings and infrastructure development provided by the EiB – CtEH Project aim to enhance CSIR-SARI’s capacity in breeding and agricultural research, postharvest seed processing and storage, and year-round mechanized irrigation farming. The project’s overall focus is to strengthen the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in key support areas such as irrigation infrastructure, mechanization equipment, seed processing and storage equipment, as well as solar power solutions.
During the ceremony, representatives from the EiB-CtEH project emphasized the critical role of these investments in addressing the challenges faced by CSIR-SARI in seed processing and storage, irrigation and water management, and mechanization. The 6-ton capacity seed cold room provided will significantly improve seed and germplasm preservation and quality. Additionally, the irrigation system will enhance year-round breeder seed production and speed up research into the development of new crop varieties. The newly acquired tractor with implements is expected to improve farm-level efficiency, especially in land preparation, planting, and postharvest operations such as threshing.
The Director of CSIR-SARI, Dr. Francis Kusi, receiving the facilities on behalf of the institute, expressed deep appreciation to the EiB-CtEH team for their continued support. “These facilities are a groundbreaking development for our work. With improved seed storage, better irrigation, and mechanization, we are better positioned to provide innovative solutions for farmers,” he said.
Dr. Ramson Adombilla, a key focal person for the project, highlighted the extensive stakeholder engagement and technical evaluations that informed the choice of infrastructure support provided by the project. “This support will not only improve research activities but will also contribute to the sustainable agricultural development of the northern region,” he stated.
The event was attended by key representatives of the EiB-CtEH project, including Yacouba Ouattara, Breeding Operation Support Specialist for West and Central Africa; Alice Kabeja, Breeding Operations Support Manager for West and Central Africa; and Vinicius Pereira da Rocha, Global Breeding Operation Support Manager at CGIAR System Organization. They reiterated their commitment to strengthening research infrastructure and supporting CSIR-SARI in delivering cutting-edge solutions for agriculture in Ghana.
As part of sustainability measures, the institute plans to implement centralized operations, periodic refresher training for key staff, and regular maintenance of the facilities. However, recommendations for future collaboration and support include the provision of irrigation scheduling tools and water monitoring systems for the irrigation facility, adopting sustainable and low-cost energy solutions such as solar power, and expanding support to CSIR-SARI’s outstations.
The inauguration marks another milestone in CSIR-SARI’s mission to advance agricultural research and support farmers with cutting-edge technologies. With continued collaborations, the institute is poised to play a pivotal role in improving food security and agricultural resilience in Ghana.
The Chairman of the CSIR-SARI Management Board, Rev. Dr. Mathias Fosu, who graced the occasion, thanked the EiB-CtEH team for the support and tasked the CSIR-SARI staff to put the facility into good use and maintain a stringent maintenance culture to ensure that the facility would continue to serve the institute for a long time to come.
In a bid to promote youth-led agribusiness and strengthen Ghana’s seed systems, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has supported four enterprising young farmers with start-up capital and foundation seeds to establish seed production enterprises under the CORAF-supported Agricultural Technology Park (ATP) initiative. In a symbolic ceremony held at CSIR-SARI’s headquarters in Nyankpala, each of the four youth beneficiaries received $500 (equivalent to GHC 5,000) and foundation seed sufficient to cultivate one hectare of land. The intervention is strategically designed to help them establish enterprises in soybean, rice, and hybrid maize seed production—three key crops in Ghana’s food and seed security agenda. The supported youth include: • Francis Anafo from Talensi, who will engage in hybrid maize seed production; • Salamatu Mahamatu from Wa, venturing into soybean seed production; • Mohamed Seidu from Mion, starting rice seed production; and • Bamba John from Saboba, also embarking on soybean seed production. Delivering his remarks, Dr. Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI and Coordinator of the Agricultural Technology Park, described the initiative as a deliberate step to involve the next generation in high-value agribusiness along the seed value chain. “Our goal is to help these young people become established seed producers who can not only support their families but also create job opportunities for other youth,” Dr. Kusi noted. “We are not just giving out money and seed—we are making a long-term investment in agricultural transformation through the youth.” He further announced that CSIR-SARI will monitor their progress closely and provide technical backstopping to guide them throughout the season—from planting to harvesting and marketing. The beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude for the support. Francis Anafo, speaking on behalf of the group, extended heartfelt appreciation to CORAF and CSIR-SARI for the opportunity. “This is more than support—it is a breakthrough. We promise to make good use of the seeds and funds and ensure that we become successful seed entrepreneurs. We are grateful to CSIR-SARI and to CORAF for believing in us,” he said. This youth seed enterprise initiative is part of a broader vision to position the Agricultural Technology Park as a launchpad for inclusive agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship in Northern Ghana. By providing real-world opportunities for young people to engage in agribusiness, CSIR-SARI is helping to reshape the future of agriculture in the region—one youth at a time. The Agricultural Technology Park continues to serve as a live demonstration hub where proven technologies, including improved seeds and best agronomic practices, are showcased to farmers, policymakers, and development partners. CSIR-SARI plans to scale up this youth support model in future seasons, with potential replication at its outstations and partner institutions across the country.
