Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University Launches Innovative Agro-Ecology Initiative to Foster Sustainable Agriculture

Wa based Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU) has officially launched the AgrecoFarm Project, an initiative aimed at advancing sustainable agricultural practices through education and practical training. The event featured an Info Day and the inauguration of a new laboratory dedicated to ecological farming research.

During her welcome address, the university Vice Chancellor, Engineer Professor Hamidatu S. Darimani emphasized the critical role of working in harmony with nature to ensure resilient agricultural communities. She highlighted the university’s new Master’s Programme in Agro-Ecological Farming, which focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to promote biodiversity, restore degraded soils, and foster sustainable farming systems across West Africa.

Vice Chancellor of DHLTU Engineer Professor Hamidatu S. Darimani

Professor Darimani urged students and stakeholders to approach the initiative with curiosity and a commitment to innovation, underscoring the importance of cultivating expertise in eco-friendly farming methods. She encouraged students to leverage this opportunity to become leaders in ecological agriculture within Ghana and beyond.

The Acting Project Coordinator for AgrecoFarm, Dr. Ibrahim D. Kariyama, outlined the program’s intensive training schedule, which spans from five days to a month. The training includes courses on plant production, land preparation, and other vital agro-ecological practices, designed to enhance practical competencies among participants.

Stakeholders also voiced concerns about the erosion of traditional farming knowledge. Mr. Daniel Faabelangne Banuoku, Deputy Director of the Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development (CIKOD), called for greater adoption of agro-ecological systems as a sustainable alternative amid the gradual loss of local seed varieties and indigenous farming practices.

In his remarks at the laboratory launch, the Upper West Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. Hudu Abu, highlighted the facility’s importance in testing soil samples to identify suitable crops and providing students with practical skills aligned with modern agricultural demands. He affirmed that the laboratory would be instrumental in supporting innovative research and training.

This initiative marks a significant step toward integrating sustainable practices into agricultural education and practice in Ghana, positioning DHLTU as a key player in fostering resilient and eco-friendly farming systems in the region.