Abstract
Cultivation of yams by rural households contributes to food supply and income generation. Notwithstanding the importance of this crop, yam production has been stagnating, threatening rural livelihoods and food security. Contrary to traditional yam systems in Ghana, an alternative system that integrates pigeonpea and yam is being proposed to mitigate constraints in existing yam production system through replenishing soil fertility, the provision of stakes for staking, and providing nutritious grains to farmers. The purpose of this study was to explore farmers’ constraints and determine farmers’ knowledge of the pigeonpea–yam cropping system. The investigation was conducted using structured questionnaires on a sample consisting of 150 yam farmers from three major yam-producing districts of Ghana. Results revealed that access to capital, mechanization, and poor road network were among the main constraints that militated yam production. A majority (68%) farmers are also still using shifting cultivation in search of fertile lands for yam production. The study found that farmers had poor knowledge of the pigeonpea–yam cropping system and the benefits and uses of pigeonpea. Given the potential of the pigeonpea–yam intercropping system in addressing soil fertility and providing a readily available source of stakes, it would be a viable option for smallholder farmers to increase and sustain production.
Highlights
Yam is a crop of great importance to at least 60 million rural smallholder farmers, processors, and consumers in West Africa [1]
The data for the study were collected from Ejura–Sekyeredumase municipal (ESM) in Ashanti region, Atebubu–Amantin district (AAD) and Techiman municipal (TM) areas of the Brong–Ahafo region
The results revealed that the probability of knowing pigeonpea was affected by household size in the Atebubu–Amantin district
Summary
Yam is a crop of great importance to at least 60 million rural smallholder farmers, processors, and consumers in West Africa [1]. Cultivation of yams by rural households contributes to household and local food supply; income generation both on farm and off-farm through value addition and marketing; and production of planting materials for personal cultivation as well as to generate additional income from the sale of surplus seed yams. With an estimated average national annual per capita consumption in 2015 of 125 kg, yam is an important and much sought-after food [2]. Ghana is the second largest producer of yam in West Africa with an estimated production volume of 7.4 million tons and is Africa’s leading exporter of yam. In the American market, it is the third largest exporter behind Jamaica (33%)
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