Farmers in Libga, a farming community in the Savelugu Municipality, have partnered with researchers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Crops Research Institute (CSIR–CRI) in a participatory varietal selection (PVS) exercise to identify high-performing and farmer-preferred okra varieties suited to local growing conditions.
The exercise formed part of the VACS Okra Breeding Project under the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) initiative, which seeks to strengthen Africa‘s agrifood systems by promoting resilient and nutritious crops such as okra. The project is sponsored by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) through the World Vegetable Centre.
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Dr Jacinta Adoma Opoku, Principal Investigator for the VACS Okra Breeding Project in Ghana, explained that the participatory exercise allowed farmers, seed dealers, seed companies, and processors to directly evaluate and rank various okra varieties based on traits such as yield, fruit quality, resistance to pests and diseases, and market potential.
“Our goal is to ensure that the varieties we develop are not only high-yielding in research stations but also meet farmers’ real needs in their own fields. By involving farmers and other stakeholders in the selection process, we make science more practical, inclusive, and impactful,” Dr Opoku said.
She added that the feedback gathered during the exercise would guide the selection of promising okra varieties for further testing and eventual release to farmers across Ghana and other African countries.
The VACS initiative brings together African and international partners to develop climate-resilient crops, improve nutrition, and strengthen the capacity of African researchers. Through participatory approaches like this, the programme aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and farmers’ on-the-ground realities.
“Okra is a key crop for nutrition, income, and resilience. With the support of our partners, including the World Vegetable Centre and Nigeria‘s National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), and with farmers’ active participation, we are shaping the future of okra cultivation in Africa,” Dr Opoku said.
She noted that farmers who took part in the selection exercise expressed appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to the research process, saying their involvement would help ensure that the final varieties released were well-suited to local conditions and market preferences.
