LCIC's drought-resilient seeds earn international recognition, positioning Ghana as a regional agricultural innovation leader.

A Ghanaian seed innovation company has secured a major international climate resilience award, putting the West African nation on the global map for sustainable farming solutions.

Legacy Crop Improvement Centre (LCIC), founded by plant breeder Dr Amos Rutherford Azinu, won the 2025 Global Award for Climate Resilience Champion at a ceremony in Hyderabad, India.

The prestigious award was presented by Dr Diallo Yacouba, Secretary General of the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA).

The award celebrates LCIC's groundbreaking work in advancing climate-resistant seed varieties that help farmers withstand increasingly unpredictable weather patterns across sub-Saharan Africa.

"This recognition highlights LCIC's outstanding commitment to advancing climate-resilient agriculture solutions and reinforces our position as a leader in sustainable crop improvement in Ghana," Dr Azinu said in a statement following the award ceremony.

Ghana, like neighbouring countries in the region, faces mounting pressure from climate-related agricultural disruptions.

Prolonged droughts and invasive pests threaten the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers who depend on rain-fed agriculture for survival.

LCIC has responded by developing innovative seed solutions, including drought-tolerant maize varieties, early-maturing cowpea, and pest-resistant vegetable seeds.

These specially engineered crops are designed to maintain yields even under harsh conditions, significantly reducing crop failure risks for farmers.

The company, established in 2015, operates Ghana's first dedicated seed business facility, Legacy Square, located in Otareso in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The pioneering operation is the first of its kind in both Ghana and the broader West African region.

The Global Business Climate Resilience Awards recognise innovative solutions that strengthen resilience across communities, ecosystems, and economies through strategic business action.

The initiative also promotes collaboration between organisations, governments, and private sector partners in advancing sustainable resilience practices.

Dr Azinu emphasised that the international recognition validates LCIC's mission to address climate challenges through agricultural innovation.

"This recognition confirms LCIC's profound commitment to helping solve climate problems and challenges," he noted.

The award positions Ghana as a regional leader in agricultural innovation for climate adaptation, underscoring the critical importance of investing in local research and seed systems as sustainable solutions to climate-related food insecurity.

As climate change continues to reshape agricultural landscapes across Africa, LCIC's recognition demonstrates how homegrown innovation can provide practical solutions to global challenges while strengthening food security for vulnerable farming communities.