Global Soil Partnership

Ghana



Phase VI – Implementation and Monitoring

Project overview

Number of participating farmers Project area (hectares) Annual SOC sequestration potential (tCO2e)

45

87

45


Implementing Institutions

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Soil Research Institute (CSIR-SRI);

Community Action in Development and Research (CADER)

FAO Regional Office for Africa

FAO Representation in Ghana

FAO – Forest and Farm Facility

FAO – GSP

Region (municipality) Upper West region, Lyssah community
Main Crops Soy; rice; millet; baobob; mango; shea

Soil management:

Soil threats addressed
  • Soil compaction
  • Soil organic carbon / soil organic matter loss
  • Biodiversity loss / soil fertility loss
SSM practices implemented
  • Savannah-specific combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer
  • Use of biochar from grasses and groundnut husks
  • Minimizing bush fires
  • Reduced tillage operation
  • Irrigation management through water resource planning and drip irrigation with communal irrigation infrastructurer
  • Crop rotation with legumes
  • Introduction of perennial grasses

Soil analysis:

Number of samples taken

    80 samples for laboratory analysis (40 sampling stations)

Soil indicators analysed
  • Soil organic carbon
  • Organic matter
  • Total nitrogen
  • Soil respiration
  • Bulk density
  • pH
  • Nitrates
  • Phosphorus
  • Cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na)
  • Total Exchangeable Bases
  • Effective Cation Exchange Capacity
  • Exchangeable Acids (H, Al)
  • Base Saturation
  • Sand, silt, and clay

Trainings and workshops conducted:

  • “RECSOIL: Introduction to the process and main soil threats” and “RECSOIL technical training: stratification of the project area, definition of sampling design and density”  – virtual - English – 6-11 May 2024 – 15 participants. Participants were trained on spatial tools used in RECSOIL and the process of defining the monitoring plan.   
  • “RECSOIL Baseline Determinations”- in person - English -  10-11 June 2024 - 9 participants. Participants were trained on how to design a sampling plan using spatial data and analyse soil according to the RECSOIL methodology. article.
  • “Soil Doctors: training of trainers” and “Soil Doctors: training of Soil Doctors” - in person - English - 12-13 June 2024 - 26 participants. Technicians were trained on how to equip farmers with the capacity to assess and address soil threats present in their fields through the Soil Doctors program. Technicians then trained Soil Doctors using these methods.