Farming In Ghana Research Articles

Efficacy of Zerofly® hermetic and polypropylene storage bags for conservation of maize in layer poultry farms in Ghana

Efficacy of Zerofly® hermetic and polypropylene storage bags for conservation of maize in layer poultry farms in Ghana

Globalgap certification and working conditions of workers on smallholder mango farms in Ghana

Globalgap certification and working conditions of workers on smallholder mango farms in Ghana

Integrating Biochar with Solar Drip Irrigation Technology for Smallholder Vegetable Farming in South-eastern Ghana Yields Profitable Returns

Ghana's agricultural sector faces significant challenges, characterized by low productivity and a heavy reliance on unpredictable rainfall and outdated farming practices, with limited use of modern agricultural inputs. This research investigates the potential profitability of integrating biochar and solar drip irrigation technologies for smallholder vegetable farming in Ghana, a country with sub-Saharan African agricultural conditions. The study employs gross margin and net farm income approaches to estimate profitability, providing a robust financial analysis of the proposed agricultural innovations. The results reveal a substantial mean gross margin of GHȼ35,021.25 and a net farm income of GHȼ48,786.50 per ha across the study area during the dry season from 2017-2020. These findings underscore the economic viability of biochar and solar drip irrigation, demonstrating significant financial benefits for smallholder farmers. The study concludes that adopting these technologies can markedly enhance agricultural productivity and profitability. It is recommended that smallholder farmers adopt biochar and solar drip irrigation to improve their farming outcomes, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural development in the region.

Understanding the factors influencing biosecurity adoption on smallholder poultry farms in Ghana: a qualitative analysis using the COM-B model and Theoretical Domains Framework.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global threat to public, animal, and environmental health, consequently producing downstream economic impacts. While top-down approaches to addressing AMR (e.g., laws regulating antimicrobial use) are common in high-income countries, limited enforcement capacities in low- and middle-income countries highlight the need for more bottom-up approaches. Within agriculture, efforts to apply bottom-up approaches to AMR have often focused on the promotion of biosecurity, which should reduce the need for antimicrobials by mitigating disease risk and limiting AMR transmission. Traditionally, efforts to encourage biosecurity adoption have emphasized training and awareness-raising initiatives. However, a growing body of research suggests a disconnect between knowledge and behavior, highlighting the existence of a knowledge-action gap. To understand the barriers and enablers patterning the knowledge-action gap in on-farm biosecurity uptake, we draw upon models from behavioral science. We analyzed in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions with smallholder poultry producers in Ghana to understand factors underlying the intention-action gap in adopting biosecurity. As an analytical framework, we draw upon the Theoretical Domains Framework in combination with the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation Behavioral Model. While smallholder poultry farmers in Ghana were aware of the importance of biosecurity practices, they struggled with consistent implementation. Financial constraints, challenges in adapting practices to the local context, and limited resources hindered adoption. Additionally, cognitive biases like prioritizing short-term gains and underestimating disease risks played a role. However, some farmers found motivation in professional identity and social influences. These findings highlight the need for designing biosecurity interventions that consider human behavioral factors and the context in which behavior occurs. This underscores the importance of collaboration across disciplines, including veterinary science and the social and behavioral sciences. Implications and recommendations for researchers and practitioners are discussed.

Trade-offs and Synergies between Economic and Environmental Cocoa Farm Management Decisions.

Optimizing sustainability among smallholder farms poses challenges due to inherent trade-offs. In the study of organic and conventional cocoa smallholder farming in Ghana, 398 farms are assessed using the Food and Agriculture Organsation of the United Nations (FAO) Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems(SAFA) Guidelines and Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment Routine (SMART)-Farm Tool. Organic farming exhibited synergies in environmental aspects (e.g., soil quality, energy efficiency) and between biodiversity conservation and risk management. Conventional farming showed potential vulnerabilities, including trade-offs with long-range investments (e.g., chemical inputs) and species diversity. Both systems demand tailored approaches for short-term economic and environmental sustainability, aligning with community-wide long-term goals. To mitigate trade-offs in conventional farming, smallholders should adopt practices like material reuse, recycling, and recovery within their operations.

Identification of returns to new technologies under distinctive econometric approaches

ABSTRACT This article uses distinctive econometric models to investigate returns to new technologies and whether adoption decisions can be explained by comparative advantage. I consider three models: static and dynamic panel models of homogeneous returns to fertilizer, as well as the correlated random coefficient model of heterogeneous returns. I discuss both the benefits of using each of the models and their interpretations. I then use data from cocoa farming in Ghana to identify the returns to fertilizer by means of these three models. The estimated average returns in different models are positive, high and strongly significant statistically. I also find evidence of heterogeneous returns to new technology based on comparative advantage. My overall results suggest that adoption of new agricultural technologies may not necessarily benefit all farmers, and the adoption decision may be crop-specific, context-specific or technology-specific.

Effect of Fertigation and Organic Manure on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays) in the Northern Region of Ghana

Food insecurity in Ghana is major challenge in the country, with a significant portion of the population (5%) facing the risk of inadequate access to food. Whilst there is food insecurity, agricultural productivity in the country is not increasing. Additionally, farming in Ghana especially in northern Ghana fully depends on rainfall. Also, farmers are faced with climate crisis such as drought and high temperatures which affects productivity. Alternative ways such as fertigation have been demonstrated to increase agricultural productivity in many parts of the world. However, this technique is under-utilized in Ghana. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fertigation and organic manure on maize growth and yield production in Northern Region of Ghana. Organic manure (OM) mainly compost was incorporated in soil together with fertigation and the effects on maize plant growth parameters (i.e., plant height, number of leaves, stem girth) and yield (i.e., number of grains, number of wet and dry grains) were measured. The study found that maize plants treated with OM and fertigation application had significantly higher plant growth parameters and yield compared to maize plants that were not given OM but were manually fertilized. The results showed that the combined use of fertigation and OM application holds immense potential for enhancing maize plant growth and yield. By maximizing the growth and yield potential of maize plants through fertilization and OM application, farmers can address the growing demand for this vital crop while promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural practices.

Implementation evaluation of cocoa hand pollination program in Ghana

The study examines the Cocoa Hand Pollination Program (CHPP) and its potential to revolutionize cocoa farming in Ghana's cocoa industry. The study employed an exploratory research design, collecting primary data through structured questionnaires from 367 cocoa farmers, 159 pollinators, and 30 extension staff. Data were analyzed descriptively. The study revealed that cocoa farmers have a relatively low level of knowledge about CHPP's objectives but perceive these goals as highly important. Farmers have successfully increased cocoa yield per hectare but face challenges in boosting overall cocoa production. Farmers exhibit a good understanding of CHPP activities and consider them crucial for program success. Pollinators have successfully enhanced natural pollination but are less positive about their contributions to socioeconomic livelihood improvement and entrepreneurship skills. Extension staff perceive the program as successful in helping farmers increase yield per hectare. However, the goals of integrating hand pollination into routine GAP activities have faced challenges. The efforts and goals of CHPP are generally valued by extension administrators who are committed to the program. Organizational and community characteristics generally favoured the program, but there were inconsistencies in the timely delivery of essential tools. This study offers valuable insights into the program's challenges and opportunities, providing essential information for policymakers and researchers working to improve cocoa production, uplift farmer livelihoods, and address similar agricultural contexts. Addressing challenges, enhancing knowledge sharing, and optimizing program elements can ensure cocoa farming's long-term sustainability and success, benefiting local farmers and the cocoa industry as a whole

Contamination of Fish Feed with Pathogenic Organisms: Implications on Fish Diseases in Aquaculture Systems

Tracing contamination to its ultimate source is considered difficult as multiple factors affect stable microbial community in culture water. Feed, covering over 60 percent of production cost although less considered, could represent a significant source of fish diseases, the major constraint in aquaculture production. The present study based on the sensitivity of quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, indicated low to high concentrations of bacteria and fungi in fish-feed from various aquaculture farms in Ghana. Prevalence rate of bacteria isolated from the gut of fish (26.09%) were similar to that from diseased portions (26.89%). Although mode of transmission of most infections are largely through the water in which the fish are submerged, Staphylococcus aureus was not isolated from the culture water samples but occurred with the highest prevalence (60%) in fish-feed, thus confirming contamination of fish-feed as a significant pathway for entry of pathogens. Advancements towards the safety of fish should include the surveillance of fish-feed for microbial quality, and incorporation into human foodborne disease surveillance systems to ensure holistic effectiveness.

Understanding and addressing climate change impacts on cocoa farming in Ghana

It is an undeniable fact that climate change has negative effects on cocoa production and has thus led to reduced yields in Ghana. This has affected cocoa farmers living standards due to their high dependency on income from sales of cocoa dry beans. The study determined the causes, indicators, effects and mitigative strategies of climate change on cocoa farmers farms. Generally, 71.43 % respondents indicated, climate change was caused by deforestation whereas 26.79 %, especially female farmers, associated it with superstitious connotations. Similarly, 72.86 % of the farmers included shade trees on their farms as a mitigative strategy to climate change's effect. While two farmers abandoned farms, others (17.50 %) sought divine intervention. Marginal effects in M-Logit results revealed that, Education, Variety, Training on Climate Change, Radio and Shade trees were significant (p-value < 0.10), under various dependent variables on causes of climate change. Again, Gender, Education, Household size, Migration status, Credit, Farm age, Variety and Training on Climate Change were also significant (p-value < 0.10), under various dependent variables on farmers mitigative strategies to addressing climate change effects. Results imply the need to intensify climate change education to cocoa farmers, especially females, within the district to help achieve targets of SDG 13 as well as enhancing their living conditions.

Advancing circular economy for the growth, root development and elemental characteristics of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) on galamsey-degraded soil

Landscape restoration of degraded mining sites, crucial for agroecology and carbon farming in Ghana, remains poorly understood and underutilized. Bamboo has historically played a role in restoring such sites, but there is a need to integrate circular economy principles fully into harnessing its ecosystem services potential. In this study, we evaluated the impact of biochar and poultry manure amendments on galamsey-degraded mining sites to operationalize circular economy principles in ecosystem restoration, using Bambusa vulgaris as the test crop.Conducted in the Asikasu mining area of the Amansie Central District of Ashanti, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment was used comprising five treatments: 1) 10 tonnes/ha biochar, 2) 10 tonnes/ha poultry manure, 3) Combined biochar and poultry manure at 10 tonnes/ha each, 4) Galamsey-degraded soil control, and 5) Forest topsoil control. Each treatment and control type was replicated three times. The experiment spanned from February 2020 to March 2021.The combined application of biochar and poultry manure resulted in the highest root density and average root diameter, demonstrating the potential for restoring galamsey-degraded sites to support bamboo-based agroecology. The elemental profiles of the bamboo varied in response to different treatments, indicating differing availabilities of micro- and macro-nutrients in the soil solution following soil amendments.This study underscores the viability of circular economy principles in ecosystem restoration, offering a pathway to sustainable land use and agroecological practices in Ghana's mining-impacted landscapes.

Antibiotic-Resistant Arcobacter spp. in commercial and smallholder farm animals in Asante Akim North Municipality, Ghana and Korogwe Town Council, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundArcobacter species are considered emerging foodborne pathogens that can potentially cause serious infections in animals and humans. This cross-sectional study determined the frequency of potentially pathogenic Arcobacter spp. in both commercial and smallholder farm animals in Ghana and Tanzania. A total of 1585 and 1047 (poultry and livestock) samples were collected in Ghana and Tanzania, respectively. Selective enrichment media, along with oxidase and Gram testing, were employed for isolation of suspected Arcobacter spp. and confirmation was done using MALDI-TOF MS. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed through disk diffusion method and ECOFFs were generated, for interpretation, based on resulting inhibition zone diameters.ResultsThe overall Arcobacter frequency was higher in Ghana (7.0%, n = 111) than in Tanzania (2.0%, n = 21). The frequency of Arcobacter in commercial farms in Ghana was 10.3% (n/N = 83/805), while in Tanzania, it was 2.8% (n/N = 12/430). Arcobacter was detected in only 3.6% (n/N = 28/780) of the samples from smallholder farms in Ghana and 1.5% (n/N = 9/617) of the samples from Tanzania. For commercial farms, in Ghana, the presence of Arcobacter was more abundant in pigs (45.1%, n/N = 37/82), followed by ducks (38.5%, n/N = 10/26) and quails (35.7%, n/N = 10/28). According to MALDI-TOF-based species identification, Arcobacter butzleri (91.6%, n/N = 121/132), Arcobacter lanthieri (6.1%, n/N = 8/132), and Arcobacter cryaerophilus (2.3%, n/N = 3/132) were the only three Arcobacter species detected at both study sites. Almost all of the Arcobacter from Ghana (98.2%, n/N = 109/111) were isolated during the rainy season. The inhibition zone diameters recorded for penicillin, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol allowed no determination of an epidemiological cut-off value. However, the results indicated a general resistance to these three antimicrobials. Multidrug resistance was noted in 57.1% (n/N = 12/21) of the Arcobacter isolates from Tanzania and 45.0% (n/N = 50/111) of those from Ghana. The type of farm (commercial or smallholder) and source of the sample (poultry or livestock) were found to be associated with multi-drug resistance.ConclusionsThe high levels of MDR Arcobacter detected from farms in both countries call for urgent attention and comprehensive strategies to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance in these pathogens.

Profitability, market outlets and constraints to Ghana's pig production

Access to profitable marketing outlets by small-scale pig producers is a major concern in Ghana. This study uncovered the market outlets available to small-scale pig farmers and examined the profitability of these outlets, the factors influencing their choice of these outlets as well as constraints to the marketing of small-scale pig farming in Ghana. It used data collected from 398 small-scale pig farmers in selected districts of six regions in Ghana. Descriptive statistics, income statement and multivariate probit model were used in analyzing the data. The results indicate that small-scale pig farmers in Ghana utilize existing market outlets such as direct sales to consumers, retailers, commission agents and sales through farmer associations. The return on investment implies that small-scale pig production is a profitable venture with sales through farmer associations being the most profitable outlet. We therefore conclude that pig farming, although profitable across all outlets, is most profitable when channeled through farmer associations, with an impressive return on investment of 71.54%. The results of the multivariate probit analyses also revealed that the choice of marketing channel for pig farmers is influenced by price per kg of pigs sold, feed cost, gender, herd size, educational level, association membership, land ownership, credit accessibility, availability of storage facilities and access to market information. Finally, the analysis of marketing constraints revealed that price instability, market instability, and access to market information are the most pressing constraints to pig production in Ghana. The findings suggest that small-scale pig farmers can boost their incomes by developing direct sales through farmer associations to help increase their bargaining power and reap more benefits in the pig value chain. Also, the study recommends that addressing key constraints like price instability by providing access to real-time market information through digital platforms could modernize the small-scale pig farming sector in Ghana.

The 2022 Outbreaks of African Swine Fever Virus Demonstrate the First Report of Genotype II in Ghana.

African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal disease of domestic pigs that has been causing outbreaks for over a century in Africa ever since its first discovery in 1921. Since 1957, there have been sporadic outbreaks outside of Africa; however, no outbreak has been as devastating and as far-reaching as the current pandemic that originated from a 2007 outbreak in the Republic of Georgia. Derivatives with a high degree of similarity to the progenitor strain, ASFV-Georgia/2007, have been sequenced from various countries in Europe and Asia. However, the current strains circulating in Africa are largely unknown, and 24 different genotypes have been implicated in different outbreaks. In this study, ASF isolates were collected from samples from swine suspected of dying from ASF on farms in Ghana in early 2022. While previous studies determined that the circulating strains in Ghana were p72 Genotype I, we demonstrate here that the strains circulating in 2022 were derivatives of the p72 Genotype II pandemic strain. Therefore, this study demonstrates for the first time the emergence of Genotype II ASFV in Ghana.

Labour relations and working conditions of workers on smallholder cocoa farms in Ghana

The millions of farm workers in the Global South are an important resource for smallholder producers. However, research on their labour organisation is limited. This article focuses on smallholder farm workers in Ghana’s cocoa sector, drawing on insights from qualitative interviews and the concept of bargaining power. We review the labour relations and working conditions of two historical and informally identified labour supply setups (LSSs) in Ghana’s cocoa sector, namely, hired labour and Abusa, a form of landowner–caretaker relations, and identify an imbalance of horizontal power. Further, we analyse the labour relations and working conditions of an emerging and formal LSS in Ghana’s cocoa sector: private labour providers (PLPs). We argue that PLPs are likely to address the imbalance of horizontal power between farm workers and smallholders and bring about significant improvements in the working conditions of farm workers. We also assess the sustainability potential and limitations of PLPs and argue that tensions exist. We contribute to the growing horizontal power perspective by providing avenues for research and policy related to promoting sustained labour rights for farm workers in smallholder agriculture in the Global South.

Heterogeneous impacts of GlobalGAP adoption on net income in small‐scale pineapple farming in Ghana: Does farm size matter?

AbstractAdoption of Global Good Agricultural Practices (GlobalGAP) improves food quality and safety along fresh produce value chains. However, adoption rates have been low among small‐scale pineapple farmers in Ghana, but with possible heterogeneous responses due to farm size economies. This study estimates the impact of GlobalGAP adoption on net incomes earned by small‐scale pineapple farmers in Ghana's main producing region, and examines size‐induced heterogeneous effects of adoption on income. Household and farm‐level data gathered from 546 small‐scale farmers were analyzed using a two‐stage regression model to estimate the impact of GlobalGAP adoption on per hectare pineapple net income. Robustness of the results was checked by re‐estimating the two‐stage model using a maximum likelihood extended regression model. GlobalGAP adoption reduced net income on small farms growing less than 1 ha of pineapples, but increased net income on small farms growing more than 1 ha of pineapples. We conclude that GlobalGAP adoption and farm size are not independent determinants of profitability, and recommend that extension and other interventions intended to promote GlobalGAP adoption among pineapple farmers in Ghana should be targeted at those who are willing and able to grow more than 1 ha of pineapples [EconLit Citations: Q16, Q13].

Role of Mushroom Pathogen Trichoderma harzianum Rafai in the Reduction of Growth Yield, Nutrient Quality, and Morphometric Measurements of the Fruiting Body of Pleurotus ostreatus EM-1 From Seven Oyster Mushroom Cultivation Farms in Ghana.

The cultivation of edible mushrooms such as Pleurotus ostreatus commonly known as oyster mushroom has been undertaken by both commercial and cottage industry entrepreneurs in Ghana with appreciable success. However, the presence of competitors and potential pathogens in the substrate militate against increased yield and quality of fruiting bodies. The most prevalent pathogen Trichoderma harzianum in the compost for cultivating P. ostreatus is responsible for the green mould disease. In this study, in vitro pathological effects of spiking Triplochiton scleroxylon sawdust substrate with T. harzianum on pinhead emergence, percentage formation of fruiting bodies, weight of fruit body, yield, Biological Efficiency as well as morphometric data of stipe length, stipe diameter, cap diameter as criteria for reduced growth performance of P. ostreatus were investigated. The effect of the pathogen on the nutritional and elemental composition of the oyster mushroom were determined with the view of assessing the quantitative changes of nutritional and elemental composition of the mushroom using standard methods. Growth substrates inoculated with T. harzianum reduced pinhead formation; number of fruiting bodies formed, percentage conversion of pinheads, weight of fruiting bodies, and reduced morphometric measurements of stipe length, stipe diameter, cap diameter with all three flushes of the mushroom. Total yield of fruiting bodies in all three flushes in the T. harzianum-inoculated bags decreased by 67.4%, 68.5% and 83.3% respectively with the concomitant reduction of total yield by 52.3% and Biological Efficiency by 52.8%. Some of the control bags (uninoculated bags) also performed poorly as a result of contamination by T. harzianum, indicative of inadequate sterilization. Fruiting bodies of P. ostreatus grown in uninoculated compost contained Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, and Zn in contrast with the absence of Na, and Zn in the infected bags. There was a reduction in fat, crude fibre, crude protein, and carbohydrates of the fruiting bodies grown in the contaminated bags. On the other hand, total ash content was doubled in the carpophore from the T. harzianum spiked contaminated bags. The pathogen therefore has adverse effect on the production and marketing quality as well as the nutritional value of the fruiting bodies

Examining the Impact of the Separation of Ownership from Management on the Performance of Small and Medium Poultry Agribusinesses in Ghana

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the relationship between the Separation of Ownership and Management (SOM) and the performance of poultry farms in Ghana. Binary Probit regression was used to examine the factors influencing SOM and the owner’s willingness to separate management from ownership. The Propensity Score Matching (PSM) model and Instrumental Variable Tobit Regression were used to analyze the impact of SOM on financial and non-financial performances. The results revealed that most farms studied had separate ownership and management roles, but owners still exerted the same amount of control over farm operations. SOM was determined to significantly impact the financial performance variable of total assets but did not impact total sales revenue and non-financial performance variables of employee satisfaction or corporate social responsibility. Owner’s demographics, perception and control variables, and farm characteristics have varying influences on the separation of ownership and management and the willingness to undertake the same.

Quail Production Systems, Prospects and Constraints in Ghana

This study was undertaken to assess the production systems, prospects and challenges of quail farming in three (3) ecological zones (Rainforest, Transitional and Guinea Savannah) in Ghana. Sixty (60) quail farmers were purposefully sampled for the study using the snowball sampling technique. Data were gathered through interviews with the aid of structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS 22.0. The results showed that more males (86.7%) than females (13.3%) were involved in quail farming in Ghana with majority (73.3%) of farmers having less than five years of experience in the business. About 50% of quail farmers had their flock sizes ranging from 501 to 2000 birds. Three (3) major breeds of quails (Japanese, American and Jumbo Giant quails) are reared in Ghana but the most common breed is the Japanese quail due to its prolificacy and ability to tolerate the intensive colony battery cage management system for commercial egg production. Quail production was more prevalent in the ecological zones in Southern Ghana than in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone.

What Is in the Salad? Escherichia coli and Antibiotic Resistance in Lettuce Irrigated with Various Water Sources in Ghana.

Introduction: Safety of the environment in which vegetables are grown, marketed and consumed is paramount as most are eaten raw. Irrigation sources include open drains and streams, which are often contaminated with human and animal waste due to poor sanitation infrastructure. In irrigated vegetable farms using such sources in Ghana, we assessed Escherichia coli counts, antibiotic resistance patterns and resistant genes on irrigated lettuce. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January–May 2022, involving five major vegetable farms in Ghana. Results: Escherichia coli was found in all 25 composite lettuce samples analyzed. Counts expressed in CFU/g ranged from 186 to 3000, with the highest counts found in lettuce irrigated from open drains (1670) and tap water using hose pipes (3000). Among all bacterial isolates, resistance ranged between 49% and 70% for the Watch group of antibiotics, 59% for the Reserved group and 82% were multidrug-resistant. Of 125 isolates, 60 (48%) were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing, of which five (8%) had the blaTEM-resistant gene. Conclusions: Lettuce was contaminated with Escherichia coli with high levels of antibiotic resistance. We call on the Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Food and Drugs Authority and other stakeholders to support farmers to implement measures for improving vegetable safety.