Ghana’s agricultural landscape has received a boost with the announcement of Professor Sanatu Alidu as the Best Female Farmer 2025 for the Northern Region.
This prestigious award is a testament to Prof. Alidu’s tireless efforts in advancing agricultural research and innovation.
Prof. Alidu, an Associate Professor at the University for Development Studies (UDS), has recently made headlines with the development of six new climate-smart and drought-tolerant cowpea varieties.
These varieties have received conditional release and are pending final approval from the National Seed Council (NSC), marking a significant milestone as the first crop varieties developed by UDS researchers for nationwide release.
The new varieties boast impressive features, including climate-resilience, high-yielding and nutritious crops, and suitability for mechanical harvesting. These characteristics are expected to improve food security, increase farmers’ income, and promote modern farming practices in northern Ghana.
This achievement is a result of a collaborative effort between UDS, CSIR-SARI, and JIRCAS, demonstrating the power of partnership in driving agricultural innovation. Prof. Alidu’s leadership in this public-sector release showcases the technical capacity within Ghana’s seed industry and the commitment to advancing the sector.
As the founder of Dinmbone Farm Gates and a member of the National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG), Prof. Alidu’s work is a shining example of dedication to agricultural development. Her award is a well-deserved recognition of her contributions to Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The six new cowpea varieties, namely UDS-Tu Bilichini, UDS-Kachaɣu Tuya, UDS-AGRAWAC Tuya, UDS-JIRCAS Sasage, UDS Ny-25, and UDS-Zara Tuya, are expected to make a significant impact on Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
We congratulate Prof. Sanatu Alidu on this remarkable achievement and look forward to seeing her continue to drive agricultural innovation in Ghana.
By Adnan Adams Mohammed
