Final Technical Report: Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana 1st December, 2025 Michael Wilson, Paul Danquah, Tracy Sacky, John Awotwi, Kingsley Ofosu-Ampong, Wuletawu Abera & Patricia Amankwaa-Yeboah CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana Contents | Page 1 of 22 Contents API for Cropping Calendar Integration 2 Stakeholder Engagement and Requirement Mapping 2 Enhanced Cropping Calendar User Interface (UI) 4 Updated Agro-Advisory Content (Text & Multimedia) 5 Integration with AgWise Platform 7 Capacity Building in Selected Areas 7 CIAT Data Utilization and Structuring 9 Field Validation Visits 9 Conclusion 10 Appendix 1 11 CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana Contents | Page 2 of 22 This report presents the final technical outcomes of the CSIR-INSTI–CGIAR Fund-SP02 Sustainable Farming Project (Agreement No. C25ROM230) under the Excellence in Agronomy (EiA) initiative for 2025. It details key advancements in Ghana’s Digital Cropping Calendar, including API integration, multimedia advisory enhancements, and stakeholder capacity building. The report highlights collaborative efforts among CSIR-INSTI, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and national partners toward improving data-driven, climate-smart agricultural practices for smallholder farmers. Supported by Sustainable Farming Science Program of CGIAR CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana Introduction | Page 3 of 22 Introduction Agriculture remains the backbone of Ghana's economy, employing approximately 44% of the workforce and contributing significantly to food security and rural livelihoods. However, smallholder farmers continue to face numerous challenges including climate variability, limited access to timely and localized agricultural information, and inadequate decision-support tools for crop management. These challenges are further compounded by low literacy rates in rural farming communities and the fragmentation of agricultural extension services across the country. Recognizing these critical gaps, the Excellence in Agronomy (EiA) initiative was established to promote sustainable agricultural intensification through evidence-based agronomic practices and digital innovation. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute for Scientific and Technological Information (CSIR-INSTI) has been a key implementing partner in this initiative, leveraging its expertise in information systems and digital technology to develop farmer-centric solutions. In 2024, CSIR-INSTI successfully developed and deployed a digital cropping calendar platform that provides location-specific, crop-specific agronomic advisories to support farmer decision-making throughout the growing season. This foundational work demonstrated the potential of digital tools to bridge the agricultural information gap and improve access to timely, actionable guidance for farming communities across Ghana. The 2025 implementation phase, funded through Lumpsum Funding Agreement No. C25ROM230, represents a strategic evolution from platform development to platform optimization and ecosystem integration. This phase focuses on three critical dimensions: technical interoperability through API development, user accessibility through multimedia content integration, and stakeholder engagement through targeted validation and capacity building. This report documents the technical achievements, implementation processes, challenges encountered, and lessons learned during the 2025 enhancement phase of the digital cropping calendar platform. It provides comprehensive insights into the API development and integration processes, the implementation of audio-visual advisory features, platform customization capabilities, and stakeholder validation activities. API for Cropping Calendar Integration API for Cropping Calendar Integration API for Cropping Calendar Integration API for Cropping Calendar Integration API for Cropping Calendar Integration CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 4 of 22 API for Cropping Calendar Integration The 2025 enhancement phase of the Cropping Calendar introduced a comprehensive RESTful API framework designed to facilitate interoperability and third-party integration. The API enables secure, structured access to crop data, regional activity schedules, and stage-specific advisories in JSON format. Key features of the developed APIs include: • RESTful architecture following industry-standard design principles. • Endpoints for crop catalog retrieval, regional queries, and timeline-based advisory generation. • API key authentication and rate limiting to ensure secure access. • Full developer documentation detailing parameters, example responses, and integration workflows. The API was successfully validated through integration with WamiAgro’s PUKPARA platform, demonstrating end- to-end functionality. PUKPARA users can now access advisories within their workflow, exemplifying the value of interoperable digital agriculture ecosystems. Find in Annex 1 the professional API documentation. Stakeholder Engagement and Requirement Mapping Integration Stakeholder Engagement A comprehensive stakeholder identification and engagement process was undertaken throughout the project implementation phase. The engagement encompassed representatives from multiple sectors, ensuring diverse perspectives and expertise were incorporated into the project framework. Private Sector Participation: Private sector engagement included WamiAgro and Eagle Park Innovation, both of which provided industry-specific insights and practical implementation considerations. Government Sector Involvement: Government representation was secured through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Crops Research Institute, ensuring alignment with national agricultural policies and research priorities. Inter-Project Collaboration: Strategic partnerships were established with the World Food Programme and the Food Systems Resilience Projects, facilitating knowledge exchange and synergies with complementary initiatives of strategic importance. Project Sponsorship: The Alliance Biodiversity teams served as the primary project sponsors, providing oversight and strategic direction throughout the implementation period. These stakeholder engagement processes yielded critical inputs that informed a few additions to the project scope and requirements. The specific needs and scope elements resulting from these consultations are delineated in Table 1 below: CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 5 of 22 Stakeholder Institution Key Stakeholder Need / Contribution Resulting Scope Update World Food program (WFP) • Multi-language support and farmer- friendly formats, including video, audio, infographics, and low-text navigation. • Considerations for audio integrations into the cropping calender WamiAgro • Requested the expansion of cropping calendar value chain to include Cowpea and tomatoes • Requested for custom APIs for integration into their PUKPARA platform • Requested for training of their field agents in using the calendar for advisory dissemination • New content to be developed for cowpea and tomatoes • Online training session to be organized to train field officers Food Systems Resilient project • Integration of the advisories on the cropping calendar into the GhAAP Portal. • APIs to be made open for system-to- system integration CSIR-Crops Research Institute • The cropping calendar needed content on new value chains to incorporate into the cropping calendar. Experts from CSIR-CRI to serve as content creators and validators of advisories disseminated through the cropping calendar. • Content creation and validation workshop. IITA Ag-Wise Team • Request to connect to and consume advisories on the Ag-Wise platform through APIs • Integration point to consume advisories from Ag-Wise CIAT • Request for a dedicated home page with dashboard of user visit and usage statistics. • Request added to platform improvements required. Table 1 : Summary of Stakeholder Requirement mapping meetings CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 6 of 22 Enhanced Cropping Calendar User Interface The redesigned Cropping Calendar home interface helps farmers to easily plan, track, and optimize their farming seasons. It features a clean, interactive layout with clear calls to action. At the top, a “Monthly Calendar” section invites users to explore a 12-month breakdown of recommended crop activities through a “Go to Calendar” button. The main section introduces the Cropping Calendar tool, explaining its ability to generate crop-specific schedules, provide risk advisories, and deliver region-based recommendations. A highlighted map of Ghana’s Upper East Region displays a sample advisory for Bongo District, offering practical harvesting tips for September. The page concludes with key platform statistics. Figure 1 : Cropping Calendar Redesigned Home Page As at the time of creating this report, there statistics stood at 3,712 visits, 265 users, 260 districts, and 3 crop varieties showcasing its growing reach since August 2025. The new Home Page serves as an engaging, data- driven entry point for accessing tailored agro-advisory and planning tools aimed at improving decision-making in crop production. CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 7 of 22 Updated Agro-Advisory Content (Text & Multimedia) A technical workshop was convened on July 2, 2025, at the Crops Research Institute (CRI) in Kumasi to review and update advisory content for the cropping season. The workshop brought together CSIR-CRI scientists and the cropping calendar development team to enhance the quality and scope of agricultural recommendations delivered through the platform. Figure 2 : Technical Content Review and Update Workshop –CSIR-CRI, July 2025 Content Review and Development Scientists systematically examined existing recommendations for featured crops, focusing on updating content to reflect recent research findings and refining advisory language to improve accessibility and comprehension for farmer audiences. The workshop achieved significant expansion of platform content by developing comprehensive advisories for the cowpea value chain, as requested by WamiAgro. Cowpea represents a critically important crop for northern Ghana's farming systems, valued for its nutritional benefits for food security, nitrogen-fixing properties that enhance soil fertility, and market opportunities for smallholder farmers. Scientists developed stage-specific advisories covering the complete cowpea production cycle, from land preparation through harvesting, ensuring farmers receive timely, relevant guidance throughout the growing season. Preliminary discussions explored incorporating tomato production advisories following additional requests from WamiAgro. However, scientists requested that tomato advisories be deferred until the following year, when CSIR- CRI plans to establish demonstration farms to validate climate-smart practices specific to tomato cultivation. This approach ensures advisories are grounded in locally validated, practical evidence before being disseminated to farmers. CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 8 of 22 Localization and Multimedia Enhancement An expert agronomist was contracted to translate validated content into Dagbani. This language was selected based on stakeholder feedback collected during field validation visits conducted in the previous year, ensuring advisories are accessible to farming communities in their preferred language. Figure 3 : Video content incorporated for improved farmer experience Additionally, CSIR-CRI documented instructional videos to complement text-based advisories on the cropping calendar. These multimedia resources enhance content accessibility and provide visual demonstrations of recommended practices. Outcomes and Integration The workshop successfully generated validated, scientifically sound content that has been integrated into the platform. Updated advisories, video materials, and audio translations in Dagbani have been incorporated into the cropping calendar, directly improving advisory quality and scientific rigor, user experience through multimedia content delivery, platform utility for diverse farming systems across Ghana, and accessibility through localized language options. This comprehensive content update positions the platform to better serve Ghana's agricultural community with timely, relevant, and accessible production guidance. CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 9 of 22 Figure 4: Audio and Video integration Integration with AgWise Platform One of the project's key deliverables was to establish connectivity with and consume agricultural advisories available through the AgWise platform. Following a meeting with the IITA team responsible for AgWise development, it was communicated via email as at 20th October, 2025 that AgWise currently generates nutrient management recommendations for multiple West African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. These recommendations cover major crops such as rice, maize, and cassava, among other crops and geographic regions. The dissemination methodology for these recommendations has not yet been finalized. However, the AgWise team is presently developing an interactive AgWise dashboard, which will serve as a web-based visualization and query interface. This dashboard is being designed to enable partners to explore, filter, and download nutrient recommendation layers according to specific parameters such as crop type, region, or agroecological zone. In addition to the dashboard, the team has planned the development of an AgWise API Service. This API endpoint will facilitate system-to-system integration, allowing partners to retrieve recommendations programmatically and embed them directly into their existing digital platforms or advisory systems. However, as the AgWise APIs are not yet available, the cropping calendar application was unable to implement the necessary API endpoints to consume data from the AgWise platform. This technical constraint prevented the completion of this particular integration component during the current project phase. Capacity Building in Selected Areas CSIR-INSTI in partnership with Alliance Biodiversity and CIAT conducted a three-day training program from July 21st-23rd, 2025, in Wa and Tamale as part of this project. The training targeted agricultural extension agents, MoFA officers, researchers, and lead farmers from Ghana's northern regions, aiming to build capacity in using the newly enhanced digital cropping calendar platform. The training employed a participatory approach combining theoretical presentations, live demonstrations, and extensive hands-on practice sessions. Each three-hour session began with foundational concepts presented by Dr. Kingsley Ofosu-Ampong, who explained cropping calendar components and their importance for smallholder farmers. Dr. Patricia Yeboah contextualized the tool within Ghana's agro- ecological zones, highlighting regional rainfall patterns and seasonal challenges specific to northern Ghana. Dr. Michael Wilson conducted comprehensive demonstrations of the platform's enhanced features. Participants An Audio button has been added to allow users to listen to advisories in a local language CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 10 of 22 appreciated the features for reaching farmers and the customization function allowing farmers to adjust calendars based on actual planting dates. The ninety-minute hands-on sessions, co-facilitated by Dr. Wilson and Mr. Kenneth Asiamah, enabled participants to navigate the platform independently, complete structured exercises, and collaborate on realistic farming scenarios. All participants were successfully registered on the platform and committed to cascading training to farming communities in their districts. Participants provided valuable feedback requesting additional language options, offline functionality, weather forecast integration, and market information. While internet connectivity posed challenges, the training successfully built participant confidence and established a foundation for scaled platform adoption across Ghana's agricultural extension system, contributing to improved agricultural decision-making and climate resilience. Figure 5a and 5b: Cropping Callender Training Workshops in Wa and Tamale In addition to these face-to-face trainings, partnerships with the various accelerator programs saw the training of selected field agents and extension officers on the respective accelerator programs on how to use the cropping calendar for extension delivery. Figure 6 : Advert for online training Over 250 AEAs, lead farmers, and field officers have been trained in using the enhanced Digital Cropping Calendar under the CSIR-INSTI, in partnership with the Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT. These trainings have specifically built participant capacity through hands-on sessions and live demonstrations. CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 11 of 22 CIA Data Utilization and Structuring The integration of CIAT data and scientific expertise into the cropping calendar platform was achieved through sustained engagement with CIAT scientists throughout the content development process. Dr. Kinsley and Dr. Patricia served as primary scientific contributors, assuming pivotal roles in both the creation and validation of agricultural content deployed on the platform. Their contributions encompassed essential CIAT research inputs that established the foundation for the platform's advisory recommendations, thereby ensuring that all information provided to users was grounded in rigorous scientific research and established best practices in agricultural science. The implementation team maintains an open collaborative approach regarding data analysis requirements under this deliverable. Should CIAT identify specific datasets or research questions of particular interest that warrant further analysis or integration into the platform, the implementation team welcomes discussion of these specifications to determine feasibility and implementation pathways. Field Validation Visits Field validation visits were conducted through trained field agents of partner private sector users of the cropping calendar, who tested and validated the use of the platform as part of their regular work activities. This validation process provided critical insights into the platform's practical application in real-world agricultural extension contexts and helped identify areas for improvement based on actual field experiences. The validation efforts culminated in our participation and booth exhibition during the World Bank mission visit to Kumbungu on November 4th, 2025. This event provided a significant opportunity to demonstrate the platform's impact and gather stakeholder feedback in a high-profile setting. During this event, field agents provided open testimonies to the World Bank delegation, offering firsthand evidence of how both Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and private sector field agents are actively leveraging the cropping calendar for extension delivery. Figure 7: Cropping Calendar trifold flier These testimonies highlighted the platform's practical value and its integration into existing agricultural extension workflows. To disseminate our 2025 outputs and ensure effective knowledge transfer to users, a dedicated trifold flier was designed and distributed strategically. This communication material was developed to update platform users on new features that have been introduced throughout the year and to foster user exploration and adoption of these enhancements. The flier served as both an informational tool and a mechanism to encourage deeper engagement with the platform's expanded capabilities. CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 12 of 22 Conclusion The 2025 implementation phase of the CSIR-INSTI–CGIAR Fund-SP02 Sustainable Farming Project (Agreement C25ROM230) marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s journey toward data-driven, climate-smart agriculture. Through strategic partnerships with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the project successfully transitioned from digital tool development to platform optimization and large-scale user capacity building. The enhanced Digital Cropping Calendar now integrates multimedia advisories, Dagbani-language audio translations, and RESTful APIs that enable seamless system interoperability and third-party integration. Validation workshops and training sessions across Wa and Tamale strengthened stakeholder ownership and built the digital literacy of over 250 Agricultural Extension Agents, MoFA officers, and lead farmers, establishing a strong foundation for nationwide scaling. Despite challenges such as limited connectivity and pending API integration with AgWise, the project has delivered tangible outcomes—improved accessibility, strengthened farmer decision-support systems, and enhanced collaboration among research institutions and digital innovators. Moving forward, CSIR-INSTI remains committed to advancing interoperability, expanding multilingual and offline functionalities, and deepening engagement with government and private partners. These efforts will consolidate Ghana’s leadership in digital agronomy and ensure that smallholder farmers continue to benefit from inclusive, science-based, and adaptive agricultural advisory systems. Reference Ofosu-ampong, K.; Jizorkuwie, A.B.; Salifu, F.; Masoud, J.; Abera, W. (2024) Training report on EiA cropping calendar & bundled agro-advisory tool in Northern Ghana: Pilot results. 21 p. Amankwah-Yeboah, P.; Ofosu-Ampong, K. (2025) CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy: Validating, tailoring, and expanding the cropping calendar agro-advisories in Ghana. Key Workshop Recommendations. 20 p. CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 13 of 22 Appendix 1: API Documentation CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 14 of 22 CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 15 of 22 CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 16 of 22 CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 17 of 22 CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 18 of 22 CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 19 of 22 CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 20 of 22 CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program Report | Final Technical Report Advancing Digital Cropping Calendar Innovations in Ghana API for Cropping Calendar Integration | Page 21 of 22 Disclaimer This working paper has not been peer reviewed. Any opinions stated herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of (insert names of CGIAR Centers), donors, or partners. This publication is copyrighted by the (insert names of CGIAR Centers) It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution – Non-commercial 4.0 International License. To view this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. Unless otherwise noted, you are free to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format), adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material) for any purpose, even commercially, under the following conditions: ATTRIBUTION: The work must be attributed, but not in any way that suggests endorsement by (insert names of CGIAR Centers) or the author(s). NOTICE: For any reuse or distribution, the license terms of this work must be made clear to others. Any of the above conditions can be waived if permission is obtained from the copyright holder. 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