Turning the Tide on Methane: Obed Asamoah Manu’s Fight Against Rice Straw Burning in Ghana

As a passionate training professional and crop scientist, I bring both academic insight and community-focused energy to the climate action movement. My core interest lies in reducing methane emissions through sustainable agricultural practices—a subject not only close to my academic background, but also central to Ghana’s efforts to address climate change.

One alarming issue I’ve observed is the deliberate burning of rice straws by farmers in the Asutuare and Akuse areas after harvest. This practice, while widespread, is environmentally unsustainable. Globally, nearly 1 billion tons of rice straw are produced annually, and most of it is burned on fields—releasing harmful methane emissions, destroying beneficial soil organisms, and contributing significantly to greenhouse gas accumulation.

To address this, I plan to launch an initiative under Frontline for Climate Action titled “Zero Rice Straw Burning.” This grassroots program will involve the formation of rice farmer-based groups in the two enclaves. Through training, field demonstrations, and community workshops, we will educate farmers about the long-term consequences of straw burning and explore sustainable alternatives.

These alternatives include converting rice residues into organic compost, promoting mulching techniques, and integrating straw decomposition practices that return nutrients to the soil. The initiative aims not only to transform farming practices in Asutuare and Akuse but also to serve as a scalable model for other rice-farming districts across Ghana.

With the platform and support of Frontline for Climate Action, I am confident this initiative can drive change from the farm level up—reducing methane emissions, enriching soil health, and contributing to a more climate-resilient agricultural sector.

Together, we can cultivate solutions that nurture both our land and our future.

Obed Asamoah Manu

Volunteer, Frontline for Climate Action