RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT CSIR – CROPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE INHOUSE REVIEW 2012, REGINA SAGOE

Regina Sagoe (LS) PARTICIPATING SCIENTISTS: Adelaide Agyemang, Patricia Acheampong, Godwin Aflakpui Stephen Bredu & B.O. Antwi 2CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE2012

Ecosystems services such as water and soil quality conservation and restoration to secure food and improve livelihoods, crop and livestock production and carbon storage to maintain soil fertility and mitigate climate change are threatened. It employs an integrated working approach that involves 9 European, 8 African (West to the East of the sub-Sahara) and an international organization (FAO). 3CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE2012

To develop climate change predictions for sub-Saharan Africa, quantify impacts and assess adaptation measures. Specifically the project focus on the following: Develop improved climate predictions on seasonal to decadal climatic scales relevant to Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Develop a new concept of a 10-year monitoring and forecasting warning system CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE20124

Assess climate impacts in key sectors of livelihood and economy (Water resources and agriculture) Evaluate the vulnerability of ecosystems and civil population to inter-annual variation and longer trends in climate Suggest and analyse new adaptation strategies that focus on local needs Analyse the economic impact of climate change on Agriculture and water resources and the cost effectiveness of potential adaptation measures CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE20125

Activities to achieve such objectives have been defined under six work packages (WP) Work packages 1 – 5 considers the entire sub-Saharan Africa WP 6 has a country specific spatial scale. Models developed under WP 1 – 5 would be validated and detail processes analysis carried out under WP 6 (Country case study). CSIR- Crops Research Institute is responsible for the Ghana Case Study under work package 6 CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE20126

Main aim is to provide data to feed models developed under the project. Specifically the following objectives define activities: Assess current physical, management and socio-economic drivers of agricultural practices, crop yield and water resources in selected areas Generate data base on agricultural production, assimilation, phenology, water and carbon fluxes and drivers for modelling Characterize, evaluate and validate land use in terms of plant functions for ecophysiological models using high and medium spatial resolution satellite data in time series generation CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE20127

Develop innovative management options for environmental change using climate, crop and socio- economic models Analyse vulnerability of the study areas in the face of different scenarios Develop an adaptable warning systems Identify and select adaptation measures for current and future climate changes in collaboration with stakeholders CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE20128

Scale of work is the watershed, an appropriate unit for detailed analysis of the environmental and socio- economic issues Specific task are as follows: Water shed selection or site selection Field survey of abiotic, management and socio- economic conditions of the selected sites Field based dataset compilation on agricultural output, water management and drivers CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE20129

Model output validation and assessment of key vulnerabilities, medium term warning system and forecasts Compilation and analysis of possible adaptation options Catalogue specific adaptation measures for each case study sites in collaboration with local stakeholders CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE201210

The output in responding to environmental degradation is relevant for poverty alleviation and food security enhancement Specific climate change mitigation and adaptation options for local communities would be developed Capacity of team members and other stakeholders within the communities would be enhanced Synergies with existing actors (NGOs, District Assembly etc.) in the various localities will be strengthened CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE201211

Policy makers Local communities selected Scientific community Other stakeholders within communities with interest in climate issues – NGOs, CBOs, CS CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE201212

Watershed site in Ghana selected  Introduction and training on the use of ArcGIS software for team members (SRI)  Employ the use of the software to identify possible watershed areas in Ghana (4 watersheds proposed)  Identified watershed area - Ankasa basin (Western Region) Template for watershed description and protocol for socioeconomic analysis, vegetation and soil analysis developed Trained all Regional case study members on participatory social methods for data collection 3 communities in the Jomoro district selected for socioeconomic and soil analysis (Kwabre, Ankasa (new), Amokwasuazo) CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE201213

Regina Sagoe & E. L. Omenyo 14CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE2012

15 Early maturing cocoyam varieties have the tendency to loss its quality – taste, cooking quality, shape and market value when harvested late Participatory farmer selection of cocoyam varieties in 2010, suggested the need for such action research Choice of cocoyam varieties depends on shape, size and appearance of cormels

CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE  Time of harvesting affects the appearance of cormel yields of early maturing varieties  Evaluates harvest time on appearance, shape and size of cormels of early maturing lines / clones Cocoyam cormels harvested at 12 MAP

CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE Design – Split plot; 3 blocks replicates Varieties – 3 Main plots ;  BD 96/183, AGA 97/162, ABN 01/004 Harvest time – 4 subplots;  8MAP, 10 MAP, 12 MAP, 18 MAP Spacing - 1 m x 1 m Date of planting - 3 June 2011 Plant height, leaf count, suckers at monthly intervals starting from 4 MAP Experimental trial still in the field; harvest at 8MAP done, remaining 3 harvest date yet to be done

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CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE PROGRESS – so far  Cormels of ABN 01/004 at 8 MAP (203) showing some degree of sprouting and rooting  Cormels of AGA 97/162 (101) at 8 MAP - less or no rooting or sprouting

CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE PROGRESS – so far  Cormels of BD 96/183 at 8 MAP– Sprouting and rooting WAY FORWARD  Examine how dry matter partitioning beyond 6 MAP influence sprouting, rooting and sucker reproduction in early maturing varieties.  Harvesting at 6 MAP would be included in the treatments

Developing concepts for grant to fund the following  NSF – PIRE / Sustainable Bio fuel production: Africa’s position in a teleconnected world (PSU, other US, GH, SA, Brazil Institutions)  Integration of climate issues in sustainable agricultural research using models - Partnership for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER)/ National Science Foundation (NSF) – Northern Arizona Univ. (Genetics & Climate change)  Other funding agencies – WAAP, DANIDA, IAEC Publication in press  Experiencing climate change and variability in Ghana, a socio- cognitive perspective. Revised manuscript submitted to Journal of Environmental Studies and Science a U.fl publication 2012 – Gender mainstreaming action plan for the institute CSIR-CRI_INHOUSE201223

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