India and Ghana have taken a significant step towards strengthening cooperation in agriculture with the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Accra. The agreement aims to promote collaboration in agricultural research, scientific exchange, technology transfer and capacity building.
The MoU reflects India’s continued emphasis on South-South cooperation and stronger agricultural partnerships with African countries. The signing ceremony was attended by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The agreement establishes a framework for joint research programmes, exchange of scientific and technical expertise, development of agricultural technologies and their wider application and commercialisation. The partnership is intended to connect research institutions with practical agricultural requirements and support the adoption of technologies suited to Ghana’s farming sector.
A key component of the initial phase will be research and development in vegetable crops, particularly tomatoes. Under the collaboration, ICAR will assist in scaling up agricultural technologies that have already demonstrated their effectiveness. It will also support the introduction of appropriate high-yielding tomato lines and varieties in Ghana.
The focus on tomato production is expected to contribute to efforts to strengthen domestic agricultural output and improve productivity. By facilitating access to improved technologies and suitable crop varieties, the partnership seeks to enhance the capacity of farmers and other stakeholders involved in the tomato value chain.
The cooperation will extend beyond vegetable production to important tuber crops. Research and technology support will cover the processing and value addition of cassava, yam and other tubers. This component is aimed at improving agricultural value chains and creating greater opportunities for processing and utilisation of farm produce.
Post-harvest management has also been identified as an important area of collaboration. The two sides will work on technical assistance and capacity building related to cold storage, refrigerated transportation, sorting, grading and processing. Strengthening these systems can help reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality and marketability of agricultural commodities.
The agreement also provides for the exchange of scientists and technologists between the two countries. Researchers will be able to share germplasm, breeding materials, scientific information, methodologies and technical expertise. Both institutions will also work towards designing and implementing collaborative research projects in mutually identified areas.
Institutional cooperation is another important feature of the MoU. Relevant agricultural research institutes and centres in India and Ghana will be encouraged to establish stronger linkages, creating a foundation for continued scientific engagement and knowledge sharing.
Arima Farms Ltd., Ghana, has been recognised as the commercial partner to CSIR-CRI for specified research and commercialisation activities under the cooperation framework. Its involvement is expected to help bridge the gap between agricultural research and commercial application.
Implementation of the agreement will be monitored by a Joint Working Group consisting of representatives from ICAR and CSIR-CRI. The group will periodically assess progress, identify priorities and provide guidance for carrying forward the agreed activities. Meetings will be held periodically in New Delhi and Accra.
The India-Ghana agricultural partnership is expected to create stronger connections between scientific research, technology development, skill building and commercial deployment. Through cooperation in crop improvement, processing, post-harvest management and technology transfer, the initiative aims to support sustainable agricultural development and contribute to improved livelihoods in Ghana.
Author: Shivam
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