Healthy soils are the foundation of productive agriculture, food security, and sustainable livelihoods. Recognizing the growing concerns among farmers about declining soil fertility and its impact on crop production, ACA recently organized a series of Community Trainings on Soil Fertility Restoration for members of its Citizens Committee Network (CicoNet) in Osino and Nkoranza.
Held on 28 and 29 May 2026, the trainings brought together a total of 143 farmers – 75 participants in Osino and 68 participants in Nkoranza – to learn practical approaches to improving soil health and restoring soil fertility.
The trainings were organized in response to requests from farmers who wanted to better understand how to address soil degradation and improve agricultural productivity using affordable and sustainable methods. Through interactive presentations, facilitated discussions, and knowledge assessments, participants explored key topics including soil health, signs of soil degradation, composting, mulching, crop rotation, and good farming practices.
Farmers actively participated throughout the sessions, sharing experiences from their own farms and discussing challenges related to declining soil fertility. Many participants highlighted the increasing need for practical solutions that can improve yields while protecting the environment and maintaining the long-term productivity of their land.
Assessments
Pre- and post-training assessments conducted during both trainings indicated improvements in participants’ understanding of soil fertility restoration practices. The assessments demonstrated that farmers gained valuable knowledge on sustainable soil management techniques that can be applied within their farming systems.
To support continued learning beyond the training sessions, participants in Osino received a Soil Fertility Restoration Handbook developed by ACA. The handbook serves as a practical guide for farmers seeking to apply the lessons learned on their farms and share knowledge with their families and communities.
Enthusiasm
One of the strongest outcomes from the trainings was the enthusiasm shown by farmers to adopt practices such as composting, mulching, and crop rotation. These techniques were particularly well received because they rely largely on locally available materials and can be implemented at relatively low cost.
Building on this momentum, ACA plans to support participating farmers through practical follow-up activities. Farmers will be organized into smaller learning groups to facilitate hands-on demonstrations, peer learning, and practical application of soil fertility restoration techniques. These activities will help ensure that the knowledge gained during the trainings translates into tangible improvements in soil health and agricultural productivity.
By strengthening farmers’ knowledge and capacity to manage their soils sustainably, ACA continues to support resilient farming systems, improved food production, and stronger rural livelihoods.
As farmers in Osino and Nkoranza move from learning to action, they are taking important steps toward healthier soils, better harvests, and more sustainable agricultural futures.
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