Robin Stratas

Country: Ghana
Partner: Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA)
Placement: Improving extension services for rural farmers.

Robin Stratas has long realized that she could make a difference in the lives of rural Africans. In 2007, this brought her to Engineers Without Borders and she quickly became an active member of the University of Windsor EWB chapter.

These days however, Robin can be found representing EWB in a more remote location. She is currently living in the village of Wamale, on the bustling and vibrant farm of the village Chief. “It is a great feeling when I am riding home from work away from the city, on the dirt road leading to Wamale,” she says. “This is when it often hits me - I am home.”

Here, Robin is working with agricultural training colleges and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) – two institutions working to create a prosperous agriculture sector, vital to eradicating poverty. MoFA is an especially important partner for EWB in Ghana. They take an innovative approach to agriculture, and have a far-reaching network of field-staff – called Agriculture Extension Agents – to help farmers create lasting changes in their lives.

Most farmers in Ghana struggle to earn an income from subsistence farming. MoFA has recognized this, and is working to shift farmers away from subsistence activities towards farming as a lasting business. A semi-commercial approach to agriculture will allow farmers to grow additional crops, and sell the surplus for extra income. For many farmers, this means that they will have earned enough to feed, clothe or educate for the first time.

To promote this shift from subsistence farming, MoFA and EWB created the Agriculture as a Business program. This program, a series of eight innovative workshop topics, helps Agricultural Extension Agents facilitate business planning, monitoring and analysis training for rural farmers.

“Farmers can be confident business people capable of taking action to earn a profit and provide for their families - instead of passively in need of a handout. These farmers can then pull themselves out of poverty.” Robin adds, “Now that is something to get excited about.”

Robin’s work is an important part of making this a reality. She is working with the MoFA district office to develop on-the-job training for existing Agricultural Extension Agents implementing the Agricultural as a Business program with farmers. Robin is equipping them with techniques to coach farmers over the long term, versus acting as a one-way source of information. The result is that extension agents are better able to help farmers manage their farms, and earn a viable income to support their families.

Robin is also working with the Agricultural Training Colleges to implement a more participatory teaching style, so that graduating students are able to enter the workforce as Agricultural Extension Agents with the practical skills and experience necessary to work effectively with rural farmers. This approach is important, as it allows the graduates to better understand and coach farmers through challenges, while identifying innovative approaches to improve the profitability of their farms.

Robin is confident that EWB’s approach is making a difference, yet she recognizes that there are many miles to go. “It never ceases to amaze me how hardworking farmers are, and yet, how so many are still suffering.” she says. Her work improving agricultural training and extension services is aiming to change this on a widespread scale.