The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative for sustainable rice production in Ghana. Under this project, 11,000 farmers will receive comprehensive training on water-efficient techniques to reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
Methane, an invisible and odorless gas, is a major component of natural gas and is present in small quantities in the atmosphere. The project’s primary objective is to increase rice yield while concurrently mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. By 2030, it aims to cover 20,000 hectares of rice fields.
This initiative marks the first project undertaken within the framework of the Ghana-Switzerland Article Six Cooperation Approach. According to the Paris Agreement, this article enables Ghana to transfer carbon credits earned from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to assist one or more parties in achieving their climate targets.
Dr. Daniel Benefoh, the Focal Person of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Ghana, highlighted the importance of tackling methane emissions in combating climate change. He emphasized that agriculture, including livestock and rice production, waste management, and the oil and gas industry are the main sources of methane emissions in Ghana.
“The entire concept revolves around promoting the alternate wetting and drying method in rice cultivation. We are currently enrolling rice farmers nationwide, with progress made in the Shai Hills area of the Volta Region, as well as the Upper East and parts of the Upper West regions,” explained Dr. Benefoh.
To support the farmers, a training manual has been developed, and awareness programs have been conducted to educate them on using simple equipment to measure water levels on their farms. The water measurement technique involves a perforated PVC pipe with markings to indicate the water level. This enables farmers to determine when to irrigate their fields, conserving water resources and reducing methane emissions.
Initially, the project focuses on irrigated farming due to its suitability for accurate water measurement. Rain-fed farming will be included in the project in the future.
The implementation of the project is a collaborative effort between the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, the UNDP, and the Swiss Government.
Ghana has made significant strides in reducing carbon emissions in forest landscapes and has already started receiving payments from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. The country was awarded $4,862,280 for reducing 972,456 tonnes of carbon emissions during the first monitoring period of the program (June to December 2019).
The methane project aligns with Ghana’s broader objective of earning additional carbon credits by further reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Although progress has been steady, Dr. Benefo acknowledged that the project’s experimental nature and slow start have impacted initial uptake. However, he remains optimistic, stating that more farmers will join the initiative from next year onward, accelerating the implementation process.
Ghana’s commitment to sustainable rice production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions sets the stage for enhanced environmental stewardship and a greener future.