EU LEAN Project: Re-greening Ghana’s Transition Landscape and Empowering Smallholder Farmers

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Nearly four years after the launch of the European Union-funded Landscape and Environmental Agility Across the Nation (LEAN) project, smallholder farmers in 60 communities across Ghana’s transition landscape have renewed hope. They are committed to sustainable farming practices and environmental conservation.

Tackling Challenges and Boosting Livelihoods

For years, smallholder farmers in Ghana’s once-thriving transition landscape have faced declining yields and incomes due to unsustainable farming practices and the impacts of climate change, such as erratic rainfall, bushfires, and biodiversity loss. The LEAN project, which began four years ago, aims to “support national efforts to conserve biodiversity, improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, build climate resilience, and reduce emissions from land use activities across Ghana.” It is transforming the lives of both the people and the environment.

Replanting Hope, One Seedling at a Time

One of the project’s main goals is to restore degraded lands to combat climate change and restore biodiversity. Over the past four years, LEAN has nursed and distributed over 600,000 seedlings to farmers in the transition landscape. These trees, coupled with sustainable farming training received by the farmers, are helping restore the landscapes degraded forests and farmlands, significantly curbing deforestation, charcoal burning, and bushfires that once plagued the region.

During a recent project verification visit, the LEAN consortium partners, Rainforest Alliance and World Vision Ghana, assessed the progress and impacts made by the implementers in the Landscape, Tropenbos Ghana and EcoCare Ghana on key project sites and beneficiaries.

 Stories of Transformation

In Bonsua, a community in the Offinso Municipal Assembly, Mr. Osei Kwadwo, a pawpaw farmer, proudly showcased his 6,000 Ofram trees planted on his 15-acre farm with the project’s support. ‘’I’ve always wanted to plant timber trees, but the cost of seedlings was a barrier. With free seedlings from LEAN and help to clear the land, I expanded my farm and inter-cropped with Ofram trees two years ago. It’s improved my farm management, allowing me to save for other investments,’’ he said, expressing hope for his family’s future.

At a nursery site in Asueyi, Techiman North District, a local beneficiary, Mr. Kwame Effah Wiafe, shared how training in nursery management has enabled him to nurse tree crops and indigenous seedlings for community distribution. ‘’I’m proud to help restore native trees that are vital to the community. The skills I’ve gained will allow me to continue nursing and selling seedlings as a business even after the project ends,’’ he noted. In total, about 60 nurseries were set up in the 6 project districts; Nkoranza North and South, Techiman Municipal and North and Offinso Municipal and North District Assemblies.

In Kyebi, a group of 25 farmers formed a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) after receiving financial training from EcoCare Ghana. Christiana Acquah, a single mother of six, explained how the savings scheme has transformed her mindset. ‘’I never thought I could save money, but now I put some aside every week. At the end of the year, I’ll use my savings to expand my farm. It’s given me peace of mind, knowing I can take care of my family and invest in our future.’’

Expanding Livelihoods

The LEAN project has also provided farmers with alternative livelihood opportunities. Mr, Kwame Adu, who was supported to start a pig farm, proudly showed off his four piglets: ‘’I received a sow and boar less than a year ago, and they’ve already birthed four piglets.”. Soon, I’ll be earning from the pig farm to supplement my income.’’ Other farmers have ventured into snail farming, beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, and fish farming, all with project support.

A Lifeline for Forests and Communities

The Forest Service Divisions in the Ashanti and Bono East regions has also benefited from the LEAN project. Rev. Obour Wiredu, Bono East Deputy Regional Manager of the Forest Service Division, praised the initiative for its contributions to forest restoration. ‘’The project has provided free seedlings for Green Ghana Day and supported awareness campaigns on forest conservation. We’ve even signed Forest Protection Agreements with communities bordering the forests in the Landscape, which will help mitigate climate change and conserve biodiversity,’’ he said.

At a model climate-smart agriculture farm in Busunya, Nkoranza North District, Agricultural Extension Officer Stephen Danso highlighted the partnership’s impact. ‘’Our mandate is to teach farmers sustainable methods, but we’ve had limited resources. Thanks to LEAN, we’ve trained farmers in 10 communities within the Nkoranza North Districts and set up this model farm. We’re teaching them to make compost tea and adopt climate-smart practices. As climate change intensifies, this project is vital to protecting farmers’ livelihoods.’’

Sustainable Hope Across Ghana

During the consortium verification visit, partners Rainforest Alliance and World Vision Ghana, who are implementing similar projects in the High Forest and Savannah Landscapes, expressed optimism. They believe that the collective efforts of the LEAN project will strengthen Ghana’s climate mitigation and adaptation effort, securing the incomes and improving the livelihood of smallholder farmers nationwide.

Pictures from the verification visit.

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