Integrated Precision Agriculture and Circular Economy Strategies for Improving Agricultural Productivity and Climate Resilience in Ghana

Summary

This systematic review examines how precision agriculture and circular economy frameworks can address agricultural challenges in Ghana, including soil degradation, low productivity, and climate vulnerability among smallholder farms. The authors synthesise evidence on PA strategies such as organic farming, legume integration, drone technology, water-smart farming, aquaponics, hydroponics, and innovative crop/livestock production systems, alongside CE principles that maximise productivity per unit area. The review identifies specific technologies and practices adopted in Ghana and their potential synergies for enhancing climate resilience, food security, and rural livelihoods.

Regional applicability

This study focuses specifically on Ghana and West African agroecological and socioeconomic contexts, which differ from United Kingdom farming systems in climate, farm scale, infrastructure, and policy environment. However, individual PA and CE strategies (such as legume integration, water-smart farming, and vertical/controlled-environment systems) may have transferable elements for UK horticulture and mixed farming, particularly in relation to resource efficiency and climate adaptation, though contextualisation to temperate conditions and larger farm scales would be required.

Key measures

Adoption of precision agriculture strategies (organic farming, legume-crop integration, drone technology, water-smart farming, aquaponics, hydroponics, mushroom and snail farming, smart crop varieties); circular economy principles; productivity per unit area; climate resilience indicators; food security outcomes; rural livelihood impacts

Outcomes reported

The study examined trends, implications, and contributions of precision agriculture and circular economy strategies to food security and agricultural production in Ghana over the past decade. Findings identified various PA and CE strategies adopted in Ghana and their potential benefits and synergies for improving productivity and climate resilience.

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