The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, has convened the maiden Project Steering Committee meeting for the Promotion of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices for Sustainable Rice Cultivation in Ghana Project.

The initiative aims to transform rice production in Ghana through climate-smart and resource-efficient farming methods, as part of efforts to address climate change and enhance food security.

Rice remains a staple food for millions of Ghanaians and a key source of livelihood for farming households. However, conventional irrigated rice farming significantly contributes to methane emissions, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide, raising concerns about its environmental impact amid growing climate risks and water scarcity.

The project, implemented under the Ghana–Switzerland bilateral cooperation framework pursuant to Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, promotes the adoption of the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation technique.

The method allows rice fields to dry intermittently instead of remaining continuously flooded, thereby improving water efficiency, reducing methane emissions, and lowering production costs while maintaining or increasing yields.

Beyond farm-level benefits, the initiative contributes to Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and supports the generation of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), creating opportunities for results-based climate financing tied to verified emission reductions.

The maiden Steering Committee meeting marks a major milestone in the project’s implementation. The committee, which serves as the highest governance and decision-making body, is tasked with providing strategic direction, ensuring accountability, and overseeing effective execution of project activities.

Membership of the committee includes representatives from key institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Environmental Protection Authority, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, Water Resources Commission, the Ghana Rice Inter-professional Body, farmer-based organisations, research institutions, civil society groups, and development partners.

Speaking at the meeting, Abdul-Razak Saeed, Head of Environment and Climate at UNDP Ghana, stressed the importance of strong governance in achieving measurable climate outcomes.

“Climate-smart solutions such as Alternate Wetting and Drying offer Ghana a practical pathway to reduce emissions while strengthening farmer livelihoods.

The establishment of the Project Steering Committee is a critical step in ensuring national ownership, accountability, and measurable impact as we scale sustainable rice production across the country,” he said.

Other participating institutions include the International Water Management Institute, CSIR-Savanna Agriculture Research Institute, Women in Law and Development in Africa Ghana, and the Strategic Youth Network for Development.

The project is expected to play a crucial role in advancing Ghana’s transition toward a climate-resilient, low-emission agricultural sector, demonstrating how innovation, partnerships, and effective governance can deliver sustainable benefits for farmers, communities, and the environment.

Report By: Robicon Mornahson