Three lecturers from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have earned global recognition for playing a central role in an international research for advancing sustainable livestock systems.
Prof. Kwame Agyei Frimpong and Dr. Kofi Atia from the Department of Soil Science and Dr. Haruna Gado Yakubu from the Department of Animal Science contributed significantly to the success of the Global Farm Platform (GFP), which has been awarded the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Technical Recognition for Sustainable Livestock Transformation, One Health, Animal Health, and Reference Centres.
The honour was presented on 15 October 2025 during the FAO Global Technical Recognition Ceremony held at the organisation’s headquarters in Rome, Italy, as part of FAO’s 80th anniversary and World Food Forum celebrations. The recognition highlights the GFP’s groundbreaking work in connecting scientific research with real-world farming practices to support sustainable food production and resilient agrifood systems worldwide.
In remarks during the ceremony, the Chairperson of the Global Farm Platform, Dr. Jordana Rivero of Promar International and Rothamsted Research (UK), commended participating research institutions for demonstrating that livestock innovation can be both scientifically rigorous and locally adaptable. She noted that the GFP’s collaborative model “shows how shared knowledge and coordinated field research can accelerate the transition toward climate-smart, equitable, and sustainable livestock systems.”
Through their leadership and research, the UCC team has helped position Ghana as a key contributor to the GFP’s global mission. Their work focuses on applying portable Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to evaluate the nutritional composition and maturity stages of Sorghum bicolor—both fodder and grain varieties. This innovative approach supports precision livestock feeding, enabling farmers to match animal diets to nutritional needs, improve feed efficiency, and minimise waste and environmental impacts.
According to Prof. Kwame Agyei Frimpong, leader of the UCC GFP research team, the recognition affirms the university’s growing contribution to agricultural science and sustainability. “This award demonstrates how collaborative research can generate practical, science-based solutions that improve livelihoods and ensure food security,” he said.
The Global Farm Platform, established in 2014 following the publication of the influential Nature paper “Steps to Sustainable Livestock,” connects 19 research farms and 28 institutions across six continents. Its hub-and-spoke model allows research centres like UCC to serve as hubs for innovation, sharing knowledge and techniques with farmers and institutions worldwide—from smallholder systems in Africa to commercial dairy farms in Europe and Oceania.
Dr. Kofi Atia described the recognition as validation of the team’s commitment to developing technologies that promote sustainable production while safeguarding natural resources. Dr. Haruna Gado Yakubu added that the collaboration demonstrates “the power of global partnerships in transforming livestock farming for Africa and beyond.”
The GFP continues to advance global efforts toward sustainable livestock transformation through close integration of research, policy, and practical application. Its work aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC