Bonganyilli-Dugu-Song Agrodiversity and Biodiversity Project in Ghana.
Olufunke Cofie, IWMI Accra Ghana.

The United Nations University’ project on People Land Management and Environmental Change (PLEC) initiated various activities in Ghana in 1993 with the aim of identifying those aspects of farmer land usage that appeared to be particularly effective in the conservation of agrodiversity (i.e. biodiversity within agriculture) (Gyasi et al., 2002). One of the areas identified in Ghana was Bonganyilli-Dugu-Song of Tolon-Kumbugu district, Northern Region.

The vegetation of the area is guinea savanna, which consists of natural grasslands with scattered trees including shea butter (Butyrospermum paradoxum) and dawadawa (Parkia clappertoniana). The major threats to this vegetation are bush fires that are deliberately set to clear for farming and hunting, and grazing by livestock (Gyasi et al., 2002). Temperatures are high and average annual rainfall ranges from 1000 – 1300 mm and occurs over a 140 – 190 day period (Kranjac-Bersavljevic, 1999). There is prolonged dry period and frequent occurrence of drought. The soils are predominantly savanna ochrosols and lixisols of the Tekyiman-Tampu association (Gyasi et al., 2002). They are sandy or silty and are underlain by an indurate laterite layer and characteristically have low moisture retention attributes (Xaxagbe, 2003). These soils are not particularly fertile due to low organic matter contents (Gyasi et al., 2002). The relief of the area is gentle rolling/undulating lowland. The inhabitants are predominantly Dagombas, the dominant tribe in the Northern region and their main occupation is subsistence agriculture. Bonganyilli-Dugu-Song area has a population of more than 2000 people and over 90% of these inhabitants are involved in farming. Birth rates are high, above five children per woman. Approximately 70% or more of the inhabitants are illiterate. Most of the people who are educated can only read Dagbani, the local language. Though some portions of the terrain are marshy and water logged during the rainy season, there is no notable river and the only water body which serves about ten or more communities is a dug out. More than two-third of the total land surface area is under cultivation.

Before PLEC’S arrival, the environment was virtually bare with very few trees scattered throughout the area. The soils were infertile as a result of continuous cultivation and maize (major staple) yields were as low as 0.8 tons/ha. PLEC’s arrival brought much relief to the inhabitants. They were taught and encouraged to carry out soil and water conservation practices including stone bunding, water harvesting, composting and tree planting. Tree nurseries were developed with the communities. Trees that were planted include Neem, Acacia and Mango. Many of these trees established will serve as woodlots for fuel wood. Inhabitants will also derive poles/sticks from the woodlots to support yam plants.

Stone bunding in Dugu-Song	Afforestation in Dugu-Song

To enrich the low fertile soils, farmers were taught and encouraged to prepare compost from household refuse, crop residues and domestic wastewater. With the continuous application of compost to the soils, the water holding capacity of the soils has improved. Maize yield has also increased from an average of 0.8 tons/ha to 1.5 tons/ha. All compound houses in the community now have two-three compost heaps which are regularly used. Improvements in yield of crops have served as a tangible benefit that has attracted surrounding communities to also adopt PLEC’s strategy. In 2003, the number of participating communities has increased from the initial three to twenty-four communities.
The ten key drivers described above were assessed to determine their importance with regards to the development and continuance of this bright spot. Ranking of attributes was done using a scale of 1 to 5 implying ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree’ regarding the importance of each attribute. The result (Figures 1 and 2) shows that property rights, participatory approach, social capital, leadership, innovative and appropriate technology as well as low risk of failure all ranked high as being important to the development and continuance of this initiative.

Figure 1. Ranking of drivers associated with the development of ‘Bright’ spot at Dugu-Song	Figure 2. Ranking of drivers associated with the continuance of ‘Bright’ spot at Dugu-Song