Dry-season Solar Vegetable Farming for Food Security, Climate Resilience, and Women’s Livelihoods

Project Overview

This project supports women farmers in the Boabeng–Fiema communities of Ghana’s Bono East Region to strengthen food security, build climate resilience, and improve livelihoods. By combining dry-season vegetable farming, solar-powered irrigation, agroecological practices, and tree planting, the project addresses climate change impacts, declining soil fertility, and women’s limited access to income-generating opportunities. The initiative also contributes to conserving the Boabeng–Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, a globally unique forest ecosystem and important tourism site.

Overall Objective

To improve food security, climate resilience, and women’s economic empowerment in the Boabeng–Fiema communities through sustainable, climate-smart agriculture and nature-based solutions.

Key Components

  • Women’s capacity building in dry-season vegetable farming and agroecology

  • Solar-powered irrigation system for reliable, climate-resilient water access

  • Agroecological farming practices to improve soil health and reduce chemical inputs

  • Agroforestry and tree planting, including fruit, nut, and indigenous tree species

  • Community and youth engagement in land preparation, tree planting, and awareness activities

Specific Goals

  • Strengthen women’s livelihoods through independent income generation
  • Improve household and community food and nutrition security during the dry season
  • Build local climate resilience through diversified crops, healthy soils, and tree cover
  • Promote sustainable land management that supports biodiversity and forest conservation
  • Increase community awareness of agroforestry and climate-smart agriculture

Expected Results / Outcomes

  • Women generate sustainable income from dry-season vegetables and hibiscus products

  • Increased availability of nutritious, locally grown food during the dry season

  • Improved soil fertility, crop diversity, and farm productivity

  • Enhanced climate resilience through agroecology and tree planting

  • Strengthened protection of the Boabeng–Fiema Monkey Sanctuary and surrounding landscape.

Empowering Women Through Sustainable Farming: A Journey of Resilience and Growth

Target Beneficiaries

  1. 30 women farmers (ages 25–50) directly benefiting from training, irrigation infrastructure, and income opportunities
  2. Families of participating women, benefiting from improved nutrition and food security
  3. 100 community members, gaining knowledge in agroforestry and climate resilience
  4. Two communities, benefiting from 6,000 planted trees and increased food availability

Target Beneficiaries

  1. 30 women farmers (ages 25–50) directly benefiting from training, irrigation infrastructure, and income opportunities
  2. Families of participating women, benefiting from improved nutrition and food security
  3. 100 community members, gaining knowledge in agroforestry and climate resilience
  4. Two communities, benefiting from 6,000 planted trees and increased food availability

Project Location: Boabeng–Fiema communities, Nkoranza North District, Bono East Region, Ghana
Project Duration: December 2023 – November 2024
Funded by: Australian Government through the Direct Aid Program (DAP)
Implementing Partners: A Rocha Ghana, in close collaboration with local communities and sanctuary management structures.