Sagnarigu (N/R), Nov. 11 – The CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has taken its climate-resilient rice production technologies to farmers in the Sagnarigu Municipality of the Northern Region, through a field demonstration at Yilo-Naayili.
The demonstration is part of the RICOWAS Project (Regional Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in West Africa through Climate-Resilient Rice Production), which aims to scale up improved rice production practices and equip farmers to cope with a changing climate.
Seeing the technology at work
Mr Alex Yeboah, a Rice Breeder at CSIR-SARI who assists in managing the RICOWAS Project, told farmers that the technologies were being shown in the field so they could see the benefits for themselves and adopt practices that raise rice productivity.
He said the project set up the demonstration farm in the Municipality on July 31, 2026, and farmers took part at each stage of cultivation, including planting and compost application.
Central to the demonstration is the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). As promoted by CSIR-SARI, SRI rests on four practices: enriching the soil with compost, transplanting young seedlings as early as 14 to 15 days, planting in lines so that mechanical weeders can be used, and alternate wetting and drying of the field to save water.
Four improved varieties on show
Alongside SRI, the project demonstrated four improved rice varieties developed and promoted by CSIR-SARI: CSIR-Banse Rice, CSIR-Gbewaa Red, CSIR-Malimali and CSIR-Savanna Rice.
Mr Yeboah singled out CSIR-Banse Rice as an early-maturing variety that reaches maturity in about 84 days, which makes it well suited to farmers facing unpredictable rainfall.
Closing gaps in farmers’ practices
Mr Shani Abukari-Adua, Sagnarigu Municipal Director of Agriculture, said the demonstration was organised to close gaps in farmers’ production practices and introduce them to improved methods that can increase rice yields.
Mr Adam Dramani, a farmer from Kulimaa in the Municipality, commended CSIR-SARI and its project partners for bringing the initiative to farmers in the area.
Adapted from a report by the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
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