Prolinnova Ghana is an NGO-led initiative that seeks to Promote Local Innovation in ecologically oriented agriculture and natural resources management (EA/NRM).

Objectives:

Focus

The focus has been on learning from and encouraging field activities that strengthen the capacities of small holders, livestock keepers and fisher folks to adjust to changing conditions to continue to develop and adapt their own conditions into appropriate systems and institutions of resource management. The approach is built on scaled-up existing practices focussed on promoting local innovations.(See Sciella Case Study)

Achievements

Lots of Participatory Innovation Developments(PID’s) have been at the community level. Some examples include:

Local salt lick production at Wapuli and Zokoli in the Saboba & Yendi Districts
Neem oil extraction for pesticide use at Dulizugu in The Tolon-Kumbungu District
Ficus biscuit for dry season livestock feed at Funsi
Ethnovet (locally produced natural veterinary products) products at Gollinga
Using Indigenous knowledge to improve Guinea fowl production at Tilli

Local Innovations Support Funds (LISF)

LISF is pilot project under the auspices of Farmer Access to Innovation Resources (FAIR) sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation (RF). The pilot begun in Ghana North in 2008 in four Zones (Bolgatanga, Walewale, Tamale and Yendi) in two regions (Upper East and Northern). The aim is to fund innovation in the sector and is managed in conjunction with NGLWG.

This first stage is up to 2010. In 2009 the Bolgatanga zone had 10 applications (3 groups, 5males and 2 females) approved out of 33. The highest amount given was GH¢500.00 and the lowest GH¢100.00. The Walewale zone received 18 applications from individuals with 8 approved applications from 5 male and 3 female. Here as there was no applications from groups and the highest amount given was GH¢200 and the lowest GH¢100.

Some of the innovations sponsored included the following:

Preservation of onion seeds using barikuk, a local herb
Use of liquid manure to fertilize crops
Use of local herbs to control worms
Water treatment using moringa
Use of Mahogany bark as insecticide when storing grain
Use of local herbs to control/prevent livestock diseases
Use of honey to reduce guinea keets mortality
Reintroduction of endangered local millet species (Naara)

Lessons learned

The LISF since its inception has chalked up successes with the partners working cordially together
Some partners have too much to do and are slowing down activity implementation
Farmers and innovators are keen to share knowledge and experiences with others for the benefit of all.

The 2010 LISF applications have been received and vetting/screening has been completed. The reports and budgets are yet to be finalized by The NGLWG and the funds disbursed to the zonal fund management committees before the year ends.

More about Prolinnova/LISF.

For more information on Prolinnova in Ghana contact John Lambon (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)