Tamale, Ghana – 6th September 2023 – The TERRA Africa project, a pioneering initiative focused on establishing sustainable regenerative agriculture technologies in Africa, officially launched at the UDS Dungu Campus in Tamale, Ghana. This transformative project, generously funded by The Nippon Foundation and implemented in collaboration with the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), marks a significant step towards reshaping agricultural practices across the continent.
Advancing Agriculture: TERRA Africa Project Embarks on a Sustainable Farming Journey
About the Launch:
The launch event, held on the 6th of September 2023, brought together key stakeholders, experts, and supporters of the TERRA Africa project. Hosted at the UDS Dungu Campus in Tamale, Ghana, the event was a symbol of the project’s commitment to enhancing African agriculture through innovation and sustainability.
Project Overview:
TERRA Africa, an acronym for “Technology Establishment for Regional-adapted Regenerative Agriculture in Africa,” is a comprehensive initiative scheduled from April 2023 to March 2028. This visionary endeavor seeks to address the pressing challenges that African agriculture faces, particularly soil degradation resulting from unsustainable farming practices. By promoting Regenerative Agriculture (RA) specifically adapted to the diverse natural, social, and economic conditions of Africa, the project aims to boost soil health, enhance productivity, ensure food security, and mitigate climate change’s adverse effects.
Project Objectives:
TERRA Africa’s mission revolves around three core objectives:
- Develop AfRA Technologies: The project will create and disseminate African Regenerative Agriculture (AfRA) technologies designed for both wet and dry savannas.
- Integrated Technology Packages: TERRA Africa will propose comprehensive technology packages that blend AfRA innovations with effective dissemination methods.
- Implementation and Impact: The project will implement these integrated technology packages, showcasing their practicality and profound impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Africa.
Addressing Soil Degradation:
African agriculture has grappled with soil degradation, leading to reduced productivity and food crises. Simultaneously, the urgency of sustainable soil health and Regenerative Agriculture is amplified by environmental concerns and the challenges posed by climate change. TERRA Africa aims to bridge the gap between Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) and RA, ensuring that local smallholder farmers can harness the benefits of AfRA technologies.
Key Focus Areas:
TERRA Africa’s primary focus areas include:
- Developing soil and cultivation management technologies to rejuvenate soil health in wet savannas.
- Technology development for the effective dissemination of AfRA components in wet savannas.
Outputs:
The project will yield a range of valuable resources, including technical manuals, farmer management programs, and technical manuals for integrated technology packages. It will also contribute vital insights through field experiments and scientific research papers.
Collaboration at the Heart of Progress:
The launch event witnessed the active participation of key project partners, including JIRCAS, UDS, SARI, CNTA, Kyoto University, Tokyo University of Agriculture, and Degas Co. This collective effort symbolizes a united commitment towards a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural future for Africa.