Initiatives

AFI is our farming and land management initiative, which supports farmers in Akwamu-Kwanyarko village in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region. The initiative provides advice and incentives to small-holder farmers to adopt agroforestry systems to diversify food and income sources while increasing biodiversity and other environmental benefits. AFI targets farmers after an initial visit and participatory assessment of their farms. The most significant feature of this initiative is that agroforestry advice is produced by co-learning with farmers. To that end, WildRain partnered Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM) to design a one-acre agroforestry model farm to demonstrate agroforestry techniques and practices to local farmers. We transformed the site from a derelict parcel of land degraded by sand winning to an agri-silviculture (agroforestry) system that grows trees, fruit trees (banana and pawpaw), and fresh vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, and habanero chili.

Commencing in August 2024, this initiative will give women the training and skills to grow and sell their own mushrooms for income. Additionally, Mushroom for Women will also provide seed capital to groups of women in Kwanyarko to start women’s savings groups in their neighborhoods. Members of savings groups are expected to make small deposits frequently at agreed times and take out loans from the fund with little interest after a while. The women could use these loans to start small businesses, purchase agricultural inputs for farming activities, or even pay for emergencies such as health-related costs or funeral expenses of family members. Providing women with opportunities for self-employment and financial inclusion empowers them socially and economically. It improves their confidence and self-worth, encourages them to engage actively in their communities, and helps to reduce poverty in their households.

Hosted annually on October 16, World Food Day, Feast for Farmers is a celebratory event to appreciate farmers in the Kwanyarko community and surrounding villages of Nnudu and Aboasa for their contribution to food security and the local food economy. The event displays traditional dishes from farmed crops in the three villages. The day also showcases some indigenous dishes that are ignored, neglected, and almost forgotten in Ghana.