Factors influencing the growth and yield of grains of paradise: extra income for farmers

Abstract

The Forestry Commission of Ghana has adopted forest plantations as a strategy to ensure landscape restoration, enhance environmental quality and develop a sustainable resource base to satisfy future timber demands. Modified Taungya System (MTS) is a co-management system between the Forestry Commission and smallholder farmer that allows inter-cropping of timber and food crops. Practitioners and farmers observed decline in NTFPs from the wild, which in recent times have become a threat to source of livelihood that often contributes significantly to household incomes. NTFPs were introduced in MTS to engage farmers to protect the forest from wildfire and decreased theft incidences. However, farmers had to leave these lands because their crops were not doing well during canopy closure. Grains of Paradise amongst others were found to do well under shade but the best silvicultural practice to apply is indefinite. This study was undertaking to research and determine the best condition (tree stand spacing and percentage of shade) suitable for Grains of Paradise cultivation. Primary data were collected from the field. The results shows that Grains of Paradise can grow well and produce high yield under tree stands with a planting distance of 4 x 4m and a shade cover of 86% and. The Production of GoP should be introduced to other MTS farmers and interested farmers throughout the country as an alternative livelihood.