BICEPS Participates in the Nordic-Baltic Food Systems Conference: Bridging Knowledge Between Latvia and Ghana for Sustainable Agriculture

Conference: Challenging Intersections – Securing Sustainable Food Systems in Turbulent Times (26–28 May 2025)

The Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy Studies (BICEPS) is participating in the first Nordic-Baltic Food Systems Conference and Policy Forum, a key regional event addressing the complex challenges of building resilient and sustainable food systems in a rapidly changing global context. BICEPS is represented by research fellow Maija Kāle, who is presenting work from two distinct but interconnected research initiatives focused on sustainability and innovation in food systems.

Promoting Seed Sovereignty Through Knowledge Transfer: Latvia–Ghana Collaboration

A central focus of BICEPS’ contribution is the research conducted under the international development cooperation project “Building Digital Education of Indigenous/Heritage Crops for the Resilience of African Food Systems in the Climate Crisis” (ICRAFS). This project is supported by the Development Cooperation Budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia for 2024–2025 (LATDEV).

In this research, Maija Kāle presents findings from a Latvian-Ghanaian collaboration aimed at transferring Latvia’s community-based seed-saving experience to support sustainable agriculture in Northern Ghana. The project highlights how Indigenous Local Knowledge (ILK)—particularly traditional seed-saving practices—can offer solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing smallholder farmers in Ghana, such as soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate vulnerability.

The Latvian model, centered on “living seed labs” and a community-driven “seed savers movement,” emphasizes not only preserving heirloom seeds but also empowering communities to actively cultivate and adapt them to local environmental conditions. In Latvia, this approach is reinforced by the use of digital tools such as story maps and video lectures that preserve oral traditions and make knowledge accessible across generations. For more information: See Latvia’s story map and educational material for mentors and trainers about Latvia’s experience

In Ghana, these practices are being adapted to the local context using mobile-based education platforms. Through collaboration with the Ghanaian social enterprise Farmerline, the project delivered short audio messages on sustainable farming practices to over 10,000 farmers. These messages addressed topics such as seed selection, soil fertility, and regenerative agriculture. Field research conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR–SARI) supported the development of this initiative by gathering data from 74 farmers—most of whom were women—across three northern regions of Ghana.

The research underscores the importance of participatory knowledge-sharing methods, the value of oral transmission and mentorship, and the potential for digital education to preserve and revitalize indigenous agricultural practices. It also identifies challenges such as declining interest among younger generations and the lack of formal systems for documenting traditional knowledge—issues the project directly seeks to address.

By combining Latvia’s experience in seed conservation with Ghana’s local knowledge systems and mobile technology use, the project contributes to more inclusive and climate-resilient food systems. Read full extended abstract here.

Urban Agriculture and Resilience in the Nordic-Baltic Context

In addition to representing the ICRAFS project, Maija Kāle is also part of the research team presenting the study “Urban agriculture for a resilient future: identifying weak signals in Nordic-Baltic food systems.” This research explores emerging practices and innovations in urban food production that could serve as indicators of systemic transformation. The project identifies weak signals that may inform policy and strategic action toward more sustainable and adaptive urban food systems across the Nordic and Baltic regions. Maija Kāle’s participation in the conference is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, which supports regional cooperation and knowledge exchange on sustainable development, green transition, and social inclusion. See more here.