4R Nutrient Stewardship

Project Details

Term
5 years
Years
2019-2024
Direct Beneficiaries
30000
Indirect Beneficiaries
30454
Implementation Partners
Financial Partners
- Global Affairs Canada

Project Overview

The four project districts (East Gonja, Nanumba North, Nanumba South, and Kpandai) are among the Northern and Savannah regions characterized by poverty, inequality, and deprivation. Smallholder farmers mainly (about 50% women) rely on rain-fed agriculture and have limited access to productive resources and services. The combined effects of high levels of poverty, heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and poor access to resources and services create an increased vulnerability to climate change in those districts.

More than 60% of the population in the communities are mainly subsistence farmers who produce cereals such as millet, rice, sorghum, and maize; legumes (groundnuts and cowpeas); yam, and cattle. The smallholder farmers in rural communities face yield reductions (50% to 80% less than achievable yield) of farm produce in 2020 and beyond. Low soil fertility level, drought, poor agriculture practices, changes in rainfall patterns, lack of access to productive resources, and pest and rodent infestation result to yield gaps.

In Ghana, smallholder farmers face low production, depleted soils, unsustainable agricultural methods, especially fertilizer usage, poor post-harvest handling due to lack of knowledge, storage facilities, and limited market access.

The 4R- Nutrient Stewardship project aims to improve the socio-economic well-being and resilience of 80,000 (50% women) smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal through enhanced agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Objectives

The overall objectives of the project is to:-

Enhance sustainable production using climate-smart, best farm management practices, increased value chain access, and integration by women and men farmers in the targeted districts

Enhance women’s representation and influence in leadership positions & decision-making.

Increase integration of gender-sensitive 4R principles in relevant standards and policies (globally and nationally)

Project Outputs and Outcomes

The project aims to:-

Improve agricultural knowledge of women and men smallholder farmers and extension agents, particularly on the 4R approach for targeted crops.

Enhance access of women and men smallholder farmers to value chain, including access to inputs, loans, pre-and post-production facilities, and markers through co-operatives

Increase capacity of women smallholder farmers to participate as extension agents and leaders in co-ops and communities.

Improve acceptance of women and men in targeted communities towards women’s participation in leadership roles

Improve awareness by international policymakers, universities, and agribusinesses of the environmental and economic benefits of 4R

Increased awareness of the importance of 4R within government ministries, farm groups, and key rural development actors in the target countries.