Le IITA-led BSF for Bio Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability BBEST Project, Regional Office in Ghana hosted its partners from Mali, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for its annual review forum and planning meeting in Accra from 22 to 26 January.
This forum provided the perfect platform for reflecting on achievements, sharing ideas, learning, and collaboration among partners from the implementing countries and stakeholders. The forum was opened by the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of livestock and a member of Parliament of the Nanton Constituency, Hon. Alhaji Hardi Tuferu. In his address, Tuferu said the government has started implementing the livestock and poultry component of its five-year strategy to increase production and ensure food security.
He added that livestock plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security and fostering economic development. Nevertheless, in recent times, livestock producers are faced with the high cost of protein meal for their chicken, fish, and pigs. He sees the BBEST Project as an initiative that could contribute toward government goals. The BBEST project has the potential to address environmental concerns and create opportunities for economic growth and increased food production, thereby aligning with over 15% percent of the SDG Goals.
Madam Silje Maria Hanstad, the Senior Adviser at the Department for Climate and Environment, Section for Food at (NORAD), was present at the forum. She thanked the event organizers and invited the participants to reflect on the positive impact of the BBEST Project. She highlighted the potential of the BSF to solve many challenges, particularly related to food production and waste management. She stressed the need to build a business case to stimulate private investment in sustainable biowaste management and sustainable production of animal and fish feed and organic fertilizer in Accra, Bamako, Bukavu, Kinshasa, and Niamey.
IITA-CGIAR Ghana Country Representative Richard Asare said the project built the capacity of livestock farmers in Akuse, Adeiso, and Somanya to produce chicken, fish, and pig feed and organic fertilizer using urban biowaste. Some farmers who benefited from the capacity building also attended this important event.
Some BBEST achievements include the development of the standard for dried BSF products for compounded animal feed by the Ghana Standard Authority, the establishment of the treatment facility at Kofisah in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly, where production has started, and the establishment of the decentralized units for farmers.
Contributed by Francisca OclooContribué par
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