Production In Ghana Research Articles

Gender perceptions on the causes of climate variation and its effects on cassava production among farmers in Ghana

This paper seeks to measure farmers’ perceptions on climate variations, and examine the effects of such variations on cassava production in Ghana. Using a three-stage sampling technique involving c...

Factors Influencing Risk in Per Capita Income from Food Crop Production in Ghana

Factors Influencing Risk in Per Capita Income from Food Crop Production in Ghana

Taenia hydatigena in goat and sheep in Ghana: a cross-sectional abattoir survey in Northern and Upper West Regions.

Parasitic infections are a major setback to livestock production in Ghana but the disease situation in many localities is poorly understood. A study to determine the prevalence and distribution of Taenia hydatigena in goats and sheep was carried out in two major municipal abattoirs in Tamale and Wa. A total of 538 goats and 256 sheep were screened for cysts during a cross-sectional survey which revealed a prevalence of 22.34% and 33.96% in goats from Tamale and Wa, respectively, and 22.66% in sheep from Tamale. Infection was common in male and female, young and old animals alike. Animals considered in the study originated from various localities within Northern and Upper West Regions and T. hydatigena infection was thought to be autochthonous, depicting a wide distribution of the cestode infection in small ruminants. Our data represent the importance of T. hydatigena infection in goat and sheep production and provide a base for subsequent epidemiological studies in Ghana.

Empirical Analysis of the Causal Relationship between Gas Resource Rent and Economic Growth: Evidence from Ghana

The paper examine the causative relationship between oil resource rent and economic growth. We use the Autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) and Toda-Yamamoto approach as estimation strategy. Contrary to the widespread belief that natural resource extraction (oil resource rent specifically) spurs economic growth, we find that oil resource rent has an insignificant positive effect on economic growth. We also find a unidirectional causative relation between oil resource rent and economic growth, flowing from economic growth to gas resource rent without any feedback effect. Our findings implies that as the Ghanaian economy grows and expands in term of economic activities, the demand for gas increases which is likely to be imported from the rest of the world. Hence, it will be beneficial for government draw short and long term plans concerning gas production in Ghana. The short-term plan should aim at expanding the existing gas producing/extracting firms while the long-term plan should target setting up a new gas firms in Ghana. This will contribute to economic growth of Ghana. Similar conclusions can be drawn for developing countries with similar socioeconomic and demographic setting like Ghana. Hence, our empirical findings/results are relevant beyond Ghana’s boundary.

The role of improved technology to enhance Total Factor Productivity (TFP): The case of quality seed yam production in Ghana and Nigeria

To promote the dissemination of Positive Selection (PS) technology for quality seed yam production, this study was undertaken to provide empirical evidence and to examine differences in the Total Factor Productivity resulting from the use of PS technology. Through multistage sampling, 368 CAY-Seed beneficiaries from Ghana and Nigeria were sampled. Results indicate that productivity of PS technology was 0.758 as compared to 0.700 for non-use of PS. Furthermore, the use of PS also led to a reduction in technology gap by 2.3%. The most important factors of seed yam productivity were: land, seed, labour, chemical and neem leaf powder application with sex, experience, education, cropping system and extension as the inefficiency determinants. It is therefore recommended that the PS technology should be widely disseminated with policies to reduce inefficiency.

Special foods and local herbs used to enhance breastmilk production in Ghana: rate of use and beliefs of efficacy

BackgroundInadequate breastmilk production is one of the key factors associated with suboptimal breastfeeding. In most local African homes, special herbs and some food items are commonly used to promote breastmilk production (known as lactogogue/galactogogue). We describe the use and characterize the herbs and food items used to promote breastmilk production in two regions of Ghana.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in 2018 involving 402 lactating mothers. The range of foods used as lactogogues was obtained from 20 participants through focus group discussions. Quantitative data on demographics, lactogogue use and feeding practices were obtained through questionnaire administration.ResultsThe mean age of women was 29.2 years and children were 10 months. Breastmilk production problems were low (22.4%) and the majority of lactating mothers felt they had adequate breastmilk (70.4%) but awareness about lactogogues was widespread in both regions (88.8%) and highest in the Brong-Ahafo region (90.0%). Information about lactogogues was mainly from grandparents (24.6%), parents (31.6), health facilities (16.5%) and friends (12.8%), while the media had little influence (< 1%). The majority of the mothers used lactogogues to enhance breastmilk production (67.7%), and a quarter of them used lactogogues because of their tradition (25.2%). Prevalence of lactogogue use was 83.8%, lactogogues were prepared separate from household meals (59.4%) and consumed one to three times a day (89.6%). Users felt the effectiveness within 24 h of use (98.5%). The most common lactogogues included; groundnut/peanut soup prepared with Bra leaves (Hibiscus sabdariffa), hot black tea, Werewere/Agushi (Citrulus colocynthis) prepared with Bra leaves, and Abemudro (a polyherbal formulation). Only 13.2% of lactating mothers also used lactogogues during pregnancy.ConclusionsSpecial foods and selected herbs are widely used to enhance breastmilk production in Ghana and constitute an important part of the diet of lactating mothers. These results could contribute to understanding breastfeeding behaviours and stimulate further research into evaluating the safety and scientific efficacy of these products in Ghana.

Does labour migration for cocoa production in Ghana translate into greater social benefits?

ABSTRACT A survey of 200 migrant labourers was conducted to explore whether labour migration for cocoa production in Ghana translates into greater social benefits using the net social benefit criterion. Majority of migrant labourers on cocoa farms were better off in terms of accommodation, food, medication, respect gained, social and economic impacts, and working conditions after migration. There were external benefits and costs associated with labour migration. Migrant labourers who experienced social benefits from labour migration were more than those who had social costs. Thus, social benefits associated with labour migration for cocoa production in Ghana outweigh the social costs. To maximize social benefits from labour migration, cocoa farmers should assist migrant labourers with accommodation, food and medical expenditure, and improve their working conditions on cocoa farms by giving them personal protective equipment to reduce occupational hazards.

Influence of Acidic Soils on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao L.) Varieties

ABSTRACT Increasing soil acidity is one of the major factors limiting crop production in Ghana. Hence, identifying cocoa varieties that are well adapted to acidic soils and better extractors of important cocoa nutrients viz phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) is a suitable way to optimize the use of acidic soils to improve cocoa production. A 4 × 12 factorial in completely randomized design with four replications was used to evaluate 12 cocoa varieties grown in four acidic soils for the following traits: height, stem diameter, root length and volume, dry matter ,and nutrient uptake. No significant varietal and soil effects for height and stem diameter were observed. T60/887 × CRG 8914 and PA 150 × EQ 3338 produced higher dry matter yields. Varieties had significantly longer roots and bigger root volumes in Samreboi series than in the other soils. Dry matter yields were highest in PA 150 × EQ 3338 and T60/887 × CRG 8914 across the soils. Absolute amounts of nitrogen (N) and P uptake were highest in PA 150 × PA 88 across the four soils, while K was highest in SPD cross. Nutrients uptake across the varieties was in the order N > P > K in Nzima series and Samreboi series, and N > K > P in Wiawso series and Wacri series. The superiority of T60/887 × CRG 8914, PA 150 × EQ 3338, and PA 150 × PA 88 over the other varieties in terms of growth and nutrient uptake suggest they may be desirable for planting on acidic soils.

Government agricultural subsidy programmes impact on rice production in Ghana from 2005 to 2018

Agricultural subsidies are considered an essential tool of policy to improve food production (or productivity), farmers’ income and welfare in developing countries. There is no doubt that the role of subsidies programmes is important for farmers or rural areas, but impacts of subsidies are different from crops, inputs, government programmes and so on. Over the past years, Ghana’s agricultural sector has experienced policies changes such as Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA I and II), Food and Agricultural Sector Development Policy (FASDEP I and II) and Medium Term Agricultural Sector Investment Plan (METASIP I and II) that support improving agricultural productivity, creating jobs and increasing income. The government of Ghana recognizes that food and nutrition are high priorities and conducts various subsidy programmes of agricultural inputs and outputs. Rice is the second most consumed crop in Ghana. Rice consumption in Ghana would keep increasing due to the growing population, urbanization and change in consumer lifestyles or food preference. This study analyzed the impacts of different subsidy programmes on rice production acrossthe 10 regions in Ghana. The data used in the study starts from 2005 to 2018. The first estimation model evaluated the impacts of before-subsidies and after-subsidies on rice production in Ghana. The results from the first model showed that rice production increased after subsidies. Specifically, fertilizer after subsidies had a positive impact on rice production. However, labor after subsidies did not have statistically significant effects on rice production. The second estimation model compared two different subsidyprogrammes: Fertilizer Subsidy Programme (FSP) and Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ). This study found fertilizer with FSP was more effective than with PFJ; however, labor with FSP was less effective with PFJ. The programme of FSP was intensively focused on fertilizer; however, the programme PFJ aims to cover a diverse range of fertilizer, seed, extension services, marketing and so on. Key words: Rice, Ghana, Fertilizer, Labour, Subsidy programme, Random effects

Development of appropriate in vivo technique for rapid field multiplication of plantain (Musa aab) using coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water and indole-3-acetic acid

Plantain production in Ghana is challenged with inadequate healthy and uniform sized planting materials for cultivation. In vitro and rapid field multiplication techniques of plantains have been developed to overcome the problem of obtaining many vigorous and uniform suckers free from pest and diseases. However, in vitro techniques require expensive equipment and expertise that are unavailable to most plantain farmers in Ghana. Therefore, an appropriate and inexpensive technique has to be developed in vivoto increase the multiplication rate of plantain planting materials. This study investigated the effects of coconut water (CW) alone or in combination with varying concentrations of auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) on axillary bud initiation, growth and development of plantain (cv. Asamienu). Coconut water from fully matured dried fruits (13 months old) was supplemented with three different indole-3-acetic acid concentrations, 10-4 M, 10-3 M, and 10-2 M to produce five different coconut water : IAA ratios (v:v), viz: 8:0, 6:2, 4:4, 2:6, 0:8. Distilled water was used as control. These treatment solutions were then injected into the base of developing suckers of plantain. Three weeks after injection treatments, the highest number of well differentiated buds was obtained from 2 ml coconut water and 6 ml of 10-2 M IAA (2:6 ratio). Eight ml of coconut water alone (8:0 ratio) also produced the highest number of fully differentiated plantlets. One month after the application of the bud manipulation technique, the highest number of additional welldifferentiated axillary buds and fully developed plantlets were produced with 2 ml coconut water plus 6 ml 10-2 M IAA and 4 ml coconut water plus 4 ml 10-2 M IAA,respectively. The study generally showed that treatments with coconut water from fully matured dried fruits alone produced the largest and the most vigorously growing plantlets. On the other hand, coconut water from fully matured dried fruit combined with IAA induced significant proliferation of axillary bud and shoot formation of plantain significantly over the control treatment. These findings demonstrated the potential of using coconut water from fully matured dried fruits alone or in combination with IAA at ratios of (2:6) and (4:4) to improve the multiplication rate of plantain planting materials. Key words: coconut water, indole-3-acetic acid, plantain, axillary buds, multiplication rate, in vivo

Ghana's petroleum industry: expectations, frustrations and anger in coastal communities

ABSTRACTWith much fanfare, Ghana's Jubilee Oil Field was discovered in 2007 and began producing oil in 2010. In the six coastal districts nearest the offshore fields, expectations of oil-backed development have been raised. However, there is growing concern over what locals perceive to be negative impacts of oil and gas production. Based on field research conducted in 2010 and 2015 in the same communities in each district, this paper presents a longitudinal study of the impacts (real and perceived) of oil and gas production in Ghana. With few identifiable benefits beyond corporate social responsibility projects often disconnected from local development priorities, communities are growing angrier at their loss of livelihoods, increased social ills and dispossession from land and ocean. Assuming that others must be benefiting from the petroleum resources being extracted near their communities, there is growing frustration. High expectations, real and perceived grievances, and increasing social fragmentation threaten to lead to conflict and underdevelopment.

Effects of marketing contracts and resource-providing contracts in the African small farm sector: Insights from oil palm production in Ghana

Abstract Smallholder farmers in developing countries often suffer from high risk and limited market access. Contract farming may improve the situation under certain conditions. Several studies analyzed effects of contracts on smallholder productivity and income with mixed results. Most existing studies focused on one particular contract scheme. Contract characteristics rarely differ within one scheme, so little is known about how different contract characteristics may influence the benefits for smallholders. Here, we address this research gap using data from oil palm farmers in Ghana who participate in different contract schemes. Some of the farmers have simple marketing contracts, while others have resource-providing contracts where the buyer also offers inputs and technical services on credit. A comparison group cultivates oil palm without any contract. Regression models that control for selection bias show that resource-providing contracts increase farmers’ input use and yield. Resource-providing contracts also incentivize higher levels of specialization and an increase in the scale of production. These effects are especially pronounced for small and medium-sized farms. In contrast, the marketing contracts have no significant effects on input use, productivity, and scale of production. The results suggest that resource-providing contracts alleviate market access constraints, while simple marketing contracts do not in this context.

Storage rot of seed yam resulting from speargrass injuries

Postharvest rot due to injury is a major contributing factor to the declining quality of stored seed yams (Dioscorea spp.). Among the several known injuries, the piercing effect of speargrass rhizomes has become a serious constraint for yam production in Ghana. The objective of this study was to assess injuries on seed yams resulting from piercing of speargrass rhizomes and their effects on postharvest rots in Ghana. Eighty farmer fields from Mem, Watro, Asanteboa and Abour in the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal in the Bono East Region of Ghana were screened for speargrass incidence and injury on harvested tubers, for laboratory analysis of pathogens in 2016 and 2017. The tubers were sorted into four categories of seed yam based on weight. Thirty seed yams each of two selected white yam cultivars (Dente and Kpamyo) with visible speargrass rhizome-pierced-tubers (VSRPT) and non-speargrass rhizome pierced healthy tubers (NSRPHT) were randomly selected and stored in a ban for weekly assessment of rot. The rotten tissues from the localised area of VPSRT were subjected to pathological investigations in the laboratory. The incidence of injury seemingly increased with increasing tuber weight. It was 0% for &lt; 100 g samples and averagely 14% for &gt; 1 kg samples, irrespective of cultivars and locations. Incidence of rot from NSRPHT sample was observed 5 weeks after storage (WAS) for both cultivars; and 2 WAS from the VSRPT sample and 40% higher than NSRPHT at 8 WAS. Eight and six known rot pathogens were isolated from the rotten tissues of VSRPT of Dente and Kpamyo, respectively. Injury from the piercing of speargrass rhizome significantly contributed to hastening of tuber rots; while tuber injury increased with increasing speargrass density. Appropriate management of speargrass is essential for commercial seed yam growers to reduce tuber damage which affects yam quality, storage and marketing.&#x0D; Key words: Dioscorea, postharvest, rot pathogen, speargrass rhizome

Black Soldier Fly (Hermitia illucens) Larvae Meal as Alternative Protein in Broiler Production in Ghana

Feed cost has been a major challenge to the competitiveness of the poultry industry of Ghana due mainly to high cost of proteins. Insect larvae meals seem convenient alternatives however their use on commercial scale is unknown in Ghana. Three 8-week feeding trial using three isonitrogenous, isocaloric diets in a three-phase feeding strategy involving 1320 broiler DOCs was conducted. BSFLM was used as replacement for fishmeal and as partial replacement for soybean meal to determine its effect on broiler productivity, profitability and carcass measurements. The results indicated that replacing fishmeal with BSFLM significantly improved weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and production efficiency factor (PEF). No detrimental effect was observed on carcass and specific organ measurements. Using the partial budgeting approach on a 500-bird estimation an increase of one thousand, one hundred and eleven Ghana cedis (GH₵1,111.00) was obtained when the fishmeal was replaced with BSFLM. Also, an increase of four hundred and sixty-seven Ghana cedis (GH₵467.00) was estimated when soybean meal was partially replaced with BSFLM. It was concluded that BSFLM can be used to improve the productivity and profitability of broiler production.

Tensions between Formal and Informal Water Providers: Receptivity toward Mechanised Boreholes in the Sunyani West District, Ghana

Sustainable Development Goal 6 seeks universal access to safe water. This is ambitious, especially for developing countries, and meeting it will require reliance on informal water suppliers alongside traditional formal suppliers. We adopt a case study approach to explore water production in Ghana’s Sunyani West District. We observe that privately managed mechanised boreholes have become a major source of water in the district, in terms of the number of people they serve and the fact that they are successful in serving them. However, water users and formal water providers have different perceptions of these boreholes. This tension between formal and informal providers needs to be resolved and one possible way is through formalisation of the informal services. We propose a hybrid model for water governance by the District Authority and argue that this governance arrangement will formalise the operations of the informal mechanised boreholes and reflect the intimate co-production of water between the formal suppliers and the emerging informal providers in the district.

The Impact of Official Development Assistance on the Productivity of Agricultural Production in Ghana, Cameroon and Mali

African economies depend largely on agriculture. Most people in Africa spend most of their lives in rural areas. Agriculture is an important sector of African industry and economy, it employs more than half of the population and accounts more than half of the national income. Due to population increase the food security remains an issue. In accordance of the lack of domestic capacities of African countries to deal with the problem, it is particularly important to increase assistance from developed countries. African States are expected to demonstrate the ability to implement policies that will change with the funds received / while receiving funds. However, for various reasons, despite numerous aid packages, it/Africa remains backward. This article examines the impact of foreign aid on agricultural productivity and the impact of the quality of management on development aid flows. As examples, it was decided to take such countries as Ghana, Cameroon and Mali. The purpose of this article is to confirm the hypothesis that development assistance correlates positively with the productivity of agriculture. The second hypothesis suggests that development aid flows respond to the quality of public administration. As for the results, the impact between the variables was recorded, but the results were ambiguous.

The nature and drivers of contracts in cattle herding and management: The case of Ghana

We study the characteristics of contracts in cattle production in Ghana and explain variations in contract type using agency and transaction cost theory. In their study of pastoral groups, especially those in West Africa, anthropologists have distinguished between two categories of contracts in cattle production: cattle owner–herd manager contracts and herd manager–herdsman contracts. However, few studies have analysed the variations in contract type within each category. Using survey data from 342 cattle kraal owners, we explored the contract types under the two contract categories and analysed their drivers using crosstabulations. Contract types in each category can be explicit, with the reward given by the principal explicitly specified, or implicit and unspecified. Environmental uncertainty was associated with implicit contracts while for explicit contracts, kraal owners’ outside options or opportunity cost for monitoring was associated with fixed-wage contracts, subsidy-only contracts, and input contribution by kraal owners. The combination of moral hazard and measurement costs explained whether herdsmen were familial and not paid with milk or hired and paid with milk. Our findings provide further insights into the drivers of contract type.

The Impact of Official Development Assistance on the Productivity of Agricultural Production in Ghana, Cameroon and Mali

African economies depend largely on agriculture. Most people in Africa spend most of their lives in rural areas. Agriculture is an important sector of African industry and economy, it employs more than half of the population and accounts more than half of the national income. Due to population increase the food security remains an issue. In accordance of the lack of domestic capacities of African countries to deal with the problem, it is particularly important to increase assistance from developed countries. African States are expected to demonstrate the ability to implement policies that will change with the funds received / while receiving funds. However, for various reasons, despite numerous aid packages, it/Africa remains backward. This article examines the impact of foreign aid on agricultural productivity and the impact of the quality of management on development aid flows. As examples, it was decided to take such countries as Ghana, Cameroon and Mali. The purpose of this article is to confirm the hypothesis that development assistance correlates positively with the productivity of agriculture. The second hypothesis suggests that development aid flows respond to the quality of public administration. As for the results, the impact between the variables was recorded, but the results were ambiguous.

The Illegal Artisanal and Small-scale mining (Galamsey) ‘Menace’ in Ghana: Is Military-Style Approach the Answer?

The Illegal Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (Galamsey) ‘Menace’ in Ghana: Is a Military-Style Approach the Answer?The artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector accounts for approximately 31 percent of the total gold production in Ghana and plays a significant role in the economic development of the country. However, the recent alarming levels of water pollution associated with illegal ASM operations have ignited serious debate, sustained media campaigns, mounting public condemnation, and sustained pressure on the government to find a lasting solution to ASM operations in the country. In response, the government has turned to the use of a military-style approach (military and police taskforce) to ‘flush out’ illegal ASM operators. Relying on key informant interviews, newspaper reports, and household surveys, this paper investigates the sustainability of the use of a military-style approach to eliminate illegal ASM operations. The evidence suggests that through arrests and confiscation and destruction of mining equipment, the turbidity levels of some water bodies improved. However, due to the powerful influence some politicians and traditional authorities command in the ASM sector, the military-style approach often becomes ineffective leading to a ‘catch and release’ pattern, which is discriminatory and promotes inequalities with disproportionate impacts on poor illegal ASM communities. The findings show that the use of a military-style approach fails to address the most fundamental issues, such as poor economic conditions, increased youth unemployment, and illiteracy which drive people into illegal ASM. Moreover, government forces are not immune to corruption. We argue that a military-style approach is not a sustainable solution to the illegal ASM ‘menace’ in Ghana. Therefore, we recommend the development and implementation of a comprehensive rural development plan that addresses dimensions of poverty, such as youth unemployment, rural illiteracy, and joblessness.

Genotype × environment interactions of yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) inbred lines in the Guinea and Sudan Savanna ecologies of Ghana

The variable cowpea productivity across different environments demands evaluating the performance of genotypes in a breeding program prior to their release. The aim of this study was to assess yield stability of eight cowpea advanced breeding lines selected from participatory varietal selection in multilocational trials, and to identify mega-environments for cowpea production in Ghana. The genotypes were evaluated across five environments in 2016 and 2017 in randomized complete block design with three replications. The GEA-R version 4.0 software was used for genotype main effect plus genotype by environment interaction (GGE) biplot analyses. Analysis of variance (PROC GLM of SAS using a RANDOM statement with the TEST option) detected significant variations for location, year, genotype, environment, and their interactions. The results showed that the yield performances of the cowpea genotypes were highly influenced by genotype × environment interaction effects. The principal component 1 (PC1) and PC2 were significant components which accounted for 46.75% and 22.84% of GGE sum of squares, respectively. We showed for the first time, two mega-environments for cowpea production and testing in the major cowpea production agro-ecologies in Ghana. The genotypes SARI-6-2-6 and IT07K-303-1 were adapted to Damongo, Nyankpala, and Tumu, whereas SARI-2-50-80 was adapted to Yendi and Manga. The best ranking location was Damongo followed by Tumu, and Nyankpala. The high-yielding genotypes, IT86D-610, IT10K-837-1, IT07K-303-1, and SARI-2-50-80 had significant higher grain yields than the check (Bawutawuta) and were recommended for release as cultivars (or as breeding lines) to boost cowpea production in Ghana.