Former Vice Chancellor, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Prof. Harrison Dapaah, has argued that although the ‘green revolution’ is boosting agriculture production to feed the world’s population, it has in the same vein become a major contributory factor to climate change.
According to him the green revolution and its anthropogenic activities – mining, release of industrial waste, smelting of ore, incineration of fossil fuel – particularly coal, and As-based pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers – are stretching natural resources such as water and other resources for agriculture and horticulture.
Prof. Dapaah noted this has negatively impacted the climate with increasing drought, wild fires, floods and decreasing biodiversity, which limits agriculture production.
He further argued that even though the green revolution was the turn-around in production of food in high quantities to support and sustain an increasingly demanding population, it came with its own attendant characteristics.
“It has been characterised by intensive agriculture systems which rely heavily on natural resources and external inputs – particularly synthetic chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides and fertilisers. So, the green revolution, even though it has helped being able to produce more and sustain the growing population, has its attendant effects such as depletion of the soil and contributes to climate change.
Prof. Dapaah was speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Ghana Institute of Horticulturist (GhIH) in Kumasi, on the theme ‘Sustainable Crop Production and Food Security through Regenerative Horticulture’. He therefore called for the adoption of regenerative agriculture to ensure healthy soil, food security and, most importantly, to mitigate climate change.
He noted that it is the surest way whereby food security can be achieved for the world’s ever-growing population and mitigate climate change as well.
“Regenerative agriculture or horticulture best blends sustainabe innovation trends and tradition. So, we need to blend it. It focuses on regeneration of the soil in the ecosystem; it’s safe to improve the soil, deliver high productivity and high-quality food – which are critical components of food security.
“Food security talks about the availability, quality and affordability of food. Regenerative agriculture is an outcome of a food production system that nurtures and restores soil health, climate, water resources and biodiversity, and improves farm productivity and profitability. It restores threatened biodiversity, and enhances natural habitats; it mitigates climate change,” Prof. Dapaah emphasised.
