Geological agriculture, also known as geo-agriculture or gravel gardening, involves growing crops in rock-based environments, eliminating the need for soil or conventional fertilisers.

According to an agricultural non-governmental organisation, To Soil Less, this method utilised gravel or other mineral-rich substrates to support plant growth, making it ideal for regions with poor or depleted soil.

Agriculture is intrinsically linked to climate.

On one hand, farming practices contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating climate change. 

On the other hand, climate change disrupts agriculture through unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and increasing weather variability.

This bidirectional relationship underscores the urgent need for innovative and sustainable farming practices such as geo agriculture.

Driven by a growing interest in climate reporting and environmental advocacy, I recently participated in a conference organised by Dominion University College in Accra, aimed at deepening knowledge and fostering discussions around geo-agriculture.

The conference gathered scientists, policymakers, researchers and agricultural innovators from around the world to explore how rock-based farming can revolutionise agriculture.

It also provided a valuable platform for collaboration, encouraging stakeholders to form partnerships and scale up this promising practice.

A central theme of the event was the promotion of geo-agriculture as a solution not only to climate and environmental issues but also to illegal mining and youth unemployment.

The President of Dominion University College, Professor Nicholas N. N. Nsowah-Nuamah, and several other speakers strongly advocated its adoption.

The conference sparked a deeper curiosity in me, prompting further research into the science and applications of geo-agriculture.

My goal is to share this knowledge through impactful journalism that informs policy and inspires change.

Why the Need for Geo Agriculture?

As mentioned, agriculture is a major driver of human-induced climate change.

Communities across Ghana are already feeling the impacts — declining crop yields, water shortages, and food insecurity.

Traditional farming methods, while culturally significant, are increasingly unsustainable.

They often yield lower outputs, are vulnerable to climatic conditions, and involve inefficient use of resources. 

In the face of these challenges, it’s vital to explore alternatives that align with environmental realities and the socio-economic needs of growing populations.

Geo-agriculture offers a compelling solution.

It minimises the need for arable land and synthetic inputs, making it not only resource-efficient but also environmentally sustainable.

This method holds particular promise in areas facing soil degradation or erosion.

Indeed, geo-agriculture is a viable way to reduce the agricultural sector’s impact on the climate.

It promises resource efficiency, sustainability and innovation.

By replacing soil with rocks or gravel, geo-agriculture eliminates many limitations of traditional farming.

It can be especially effective in urban settings or regions with limited fertile land.

Moreover, it reduces dependency on chemical fertilisers and enhances water conservation.

The Founder of To Soil Less, Richard Campbell, emphasises the transformative potential of this method.

In his words: “If all you know is soil, you might as well think the earth is still flat.”

His mission is to promote gravel-based cultivation as a sustainable alternative for communities facing food insecurity and climate stress.

With the recent launch of the country’s Feed Ghana Programme, aimed at transforming the nation’s agricultural sector, there’s hope that the government will listen to growing calls to adopt innovative and climate-friendly methods such as geo agriculture.

For a sustainable future, especially in a climate-vulnerable country like Ghana, geo-agriculture presents a forward-looking solution that should not be ignored.