Ghana’s fight against the growing threat of drought and climate-related agricultural challenges is receiving a major boost from Hungary through a revolutionary product known as the Water Retainer—an organic soil-conditioning solution capable of drastically improving soil moisture levels and crop survival in drought-prone areas.
According to Professor Samuel Nsiah-Adjei, a leading researcher at the Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre of the University of Ghana and International Scientist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Hungarian-developed Water Retainer can improve soil moisture by 30–40%, extend plant survival during drought by up to two times, and reduce irrigation costs by as much as 50%.
“We are witnessing unpredictable rainfall and increasing crop failure in major farming regions such as Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, and Western North,” said Prof. Nsiah-Adjei. “The Water Retainer offers a timely, organic, and cost-effective solution to mitigate these impacts and protect our food security.”
The product, developed by Water&Soil Ltd. of Hungary, has been scientifically validated in multiple countries and is now being piloted in Ghana. It is biodegradable, compatible with all soil and plant types, and registered for use in organic farming.
Key Benefits of Water Retainer® Include up to 37% increase in crop yield in rain-fed cultivation, extended drought survival for tree crops, cocoa, and vegetables, reduced soil evaporation and salinisation, improved microbial life and nutrient uptake in soil and applicable across all regions and soil types.
The Water Retainer is especially critical for Ghana’s tree crop and cocoa farmers, who are experiencing sharp yield drops due to prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall.
By retaining water in the topsoil and even capturing air humidity (such as morning dew), the product helps maintain plant hydration during the most critical growth stages.
“This innovation doesn’t create water, but it prevents its waste and maximises its use,” Prof. Nsiah-Adjei emphasised. “In the face of climate change, it is exactly what our agriculture needs.”
This development forms part of broader climate adaptation efforts and opens up new opportunities for public-private partnerships in sustainable agriculture.
Prof. Nsiah-Adjei, who holds a PhD in Production Ecology and Resource Conservation from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, urges the Government of Ghana, development partners, and agri-stakeholders to adopt the Water Retainer technology for national scale-up.
Hungary’s gift to Ghana could be the answer to one of the country’s most pressing agricultural threats.
The Water Retainer promises not just relief, but resilience, productivity, and a future-proof food system.
