In November 2021, the Government of Ghana and the Government of Switzerland signed a bilateral agreement for cooperative approaches under the Paris Agreement (Article 6). This programme introduces and increases the uptake of the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technique as a climate-smart agriculture approach for sustainable rice production. Through AWD, rice farmers can increase yield, reduce methane emissions, cut water pumping costs, and improve efficiency of water use.

The programme covers at least 10 Sustainable Development Goals and ensures environmental sustainability through improved soil quality. It contributes to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by supporting farming communities through better nutrient, pest, and water management for stable rice yields. It also widens income sources through agricultural diversification and supports technology and know-how transfer for more sustainable growth.

At the end of this programme, farmers are expected to move away from continuous flooding and commonly practice AWD — leading to increased water productivity and reduced carbon footprints in rice production. The results can be replicated across Ghana through strong policy support, transforming the irrigated rice sector into a more resilient and sustainable system in the face of climate change.