Ghanaian Farmers Boost Yields Through Genebank Partnership and Crop Diversity Access.

Ghana’s farmers are experiencing a major breakthrough in agricultural resilience thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with the national genebank. For the first time, smallholder farmers are gaining structured access to diverse crop varieties — including Bambara groundnut and indigenous leafy vegetables — that were previously out of reach.

The collaboration, established through germplasm user groups, has transformed how seeds are accessed and tested. Nearly 90% of participating farmers reported improved crop diversity, equipping them with tools to face drought, pests, and extreme weather.

From Limited Access to Abundance

Traditionally, Ghanaian farmers relied on informal seed-sharing networks, often with unpredictable results. Stored seeds were swapped or traded, but quality and variety were inconsistent. The new model directly links farmers to the national genebank, where they can test different seed varieties on their farms and share feedback with researchers.

The results have been impressive. Genebank-supplied seeds outperformed traditional varieties by up to 67% in harvest time, delivering major gains for smallholders struggling with declining yields. Beyond individual farms, each participating farmer shares seeds with an average of four others, multiplying the impact across rural communities.

Seeds for Resilience Project

The Seeds for Resilience project, a five-year initiative supporting national genebanks in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia, has been crucial to these changes. Once primarily serving researchers, genebanks are now actively connecting with farmers to deliver practical benefits.

“This approach helps farmers see genebanks as valuable seed sources, while giving researchers real-world performance data,” said Michael Bolton, project manager at the Crop Trust.

For Bambara groundnut — an underutilized African legume critical for protein security — the initiative is especially important. With no formal breeding programs or registered cultivars, direct farmer access to diverse genebank varieties is filling a crucial gap.

Empowering Farmers and Building Knowledge

The partnership has not only improved yields but also strengthened knowledge-sharing systems. Farmers reported increased awareness of genebank activities, stronger ties with extension workers, and improved community seed exchange networks.

The program also engages young professionals through the Genebank Impacts Fellowship Program, equipping emerging agricultural experts with hands-on experience. Fellows like Tobias Okando Recha from Kenya say the initiative has shifted their perspective on agricultural resilience by connecting theory with real-world farmer challenges.

A Scalable Model for Climate Resilience

As climate change intensifies, access to diverse crop varieties is becoming essential for adaptation. The Ghana model shows how conservation and utilization can work hand in hand, turning genebanks into dynamic partners rather than passive repositories.

“Genebanks are proving they can directly support smallholder farmers while preserving vital crop diversity for future generations,” noted Nelissa Jamora, monitoring and evaluation manager at the Crop Trust.

With plans to expand user group networks, Ghana is on track to significantly boost agricultural resilience, safeguard indigenous crops, and create a more sustainable food system. The success of this model offers valuable lessons for other African countries seeking to link crop diversity conservation with real farmer impact.