ABSTRACT Globally, vegetable production and marketing serve as a source of livelihood for both urban and rural poor and contribute tremendously to food security. This study evaluates the social and economic relationships between vegetable farmers and marketers as well as the production and marketing related problems that limit farmers and marketers from getting potential benefits across seasons in the Tamale Metropolis. Qualitative individual interviews consisting of 10 and 8 farmers and ma...
ABSTRACT Livestock production in Ghana contributes greatly to the total GDP and agricultural GDP respectively. Despite efforts to improve and increase goat production, most farmers, especially the rural households still keep local breeds and are faced with high infant mortality of kids, death of pregnant does, unplanned housing systems, improper feeding and management. These undoubtedly hinder farmers in Kusawgu to improving their stock for food security. It is thus important to study why...
ABSTRACT The pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) is a key pest to stored cowpea. There is limited information on host plant resistance management of this pest on cowpea in Northern Ghana. A laboratory experiment was conducted to test for varietal resistance of some improved varieties against this pest in cowpea. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Seven varieties of cowpea namely; Padi-tuya, Songotra, Apagbaala, Zaayura, Bawutawuta, Marfo-tuya and a lo...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to estimate the extent to which socio-economic characteristics, operations of microcredit institutions and community related factors influencing livelihood sustainability of rural women borrowers of microcredit. The study was conducted in the Tolon/Kumbungu District of the Northern Region of Ghana. Close and open-ended questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and direct observations were all used in collecting data from 150 women b...
ABSTRACT The population of the people in the Northern region is predominantly rural and as such depends mostly on land and its related resources for their livelihood. This is especially true for women since land is critical for them in achieving their responsibilities as food producers and food processors and also for achieving food security. However, women access to land is deeply inequitable under the Dagbon land governance system which is typical with patrilineal societies. Their access ...
ABSTRACT The contribution of irrigation farming to food security, nutrition, employment and poverty alleviation cannot be overemphasized in the savannah zone of Ghana of which Kassena-Nankana area is part. The main objective of the study was to assess the use of ecosystem-based farm management practices (EBFMPs) in government and community managed irrigation schemes within the Kassena-Nankana area and how these EBFMPs affect farmers’ livelihood. The study used data collected from 300 irri...
ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Kassena Nankana East Municipal and Gushiegu District where there are highest recordings of registered medium and large scale lands within the northern belt of Ghana. This study assesses how agricultural land grabs affect farm households’ access to land and also their access to other alternative land based resources and services. It then considers livelihood strategy adaptation among farm households within affected communities in Northern Ghana. A two st...
ABSTRACT Salmonella and Escherichia coli are the two most important food-borne pathogens of public health interest incriminated in meat worldwide. These bacteria are widely distributed in food and the environment. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Salmonella and E. coli in fresh beef and related samples obtained from 15 beef retail points in Techiman Municipality. Consumers' attitudes towards fresh beef colour as its aesthetic quality in display was also determined. A t...
ABSTRACT Beef contamination with Salmonella and their resistance to antibiotics is a concern and a threat to the public health. This study determined the knowledge of ruminant farmers and veterinary officers in antibiotic usage, and the presence of antibiotic residues in beef samples in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. The microbiological quality and prevalence of resistant Salmonella spp. in the beef samples were also determined. Two hundred and fifty ruminant farmers and six veterinary offic...
ABSTRACT Despite the importance of credit in enhancing productivity and livelihoods, farmers continue to complain about lack of access to adequate credit for agricultural production. The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of agricultural value chain (AVC) participation on credit access, loan repayment and farmers’ income in Northern Ghana. Also, the interrelationships between AVC vertical linkage(AVC-VL) and AVC horizontal linkage (AVC-HL) and that of AVC participation ...
ABSTRACT Nanang, D. M. 1996. The silviculture, growth and yield of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) plantations in Northern Ghana. 94 pp. MscF Thesis, Faculty of Forestry, Lakehead University. Advisor: Prof. R. J. Day. Key Words: Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Neem, Northern Ghana, Silviculture, Tamale Forest District, Volume Tables, Yield Table. The silviculture and growth and yield of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) grown in individual and community plantations in the Tamale Forest Distr...
ABSTRACT Most pork produced in Ghana tend to be very fatty as most famers do not feed balanced diets to their animals because of the high cost of feed ingredients. High levels of cholesterol and fat from animal products have been associated with coronary heart diseases and stroke in humans and fear of this has led to some instances of negative impact on acceptance of pork for human consumption. Dietary manipulation to reduce fat and cholesterol in pork, if feasible will therefore be important...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to do a comparative analysis of the operational strategies and challenges of the NGO MFI and the Rural Bank MFI. The study was conducted in three districts of the Northern region that is Tamale Metropolis, Savelugu-Nanton and Tolon-Kumbugu. This study used purposive and convenience sampling techniques to collect data from 144 respondents. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Percentages, frequencies tables and graphs were used to presen...
ABSTRACT Striga hermonthica constitutes a major constraint to maize production and productivity. It is the largest single biological constraint to food production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hence there is the need to develop hybrids that are tolerant to this constraint. Knowledge and understanding of Striga resistance in early maturing maize inbreds are crucial for the developments of hybrids adapted to Striga-infested environments in the sub-region as well as for enhancing breeding strategies. T...
ABSTRACT The study used contingent valuation to solicit monetary values from researchers and farmers on how much they were willing to sell and buy the following innovations from research respectively: improved seed, soil fertility management techniques, crop protection techniques, safe-use of agro-chemicals as well as farm management and record keeping. Also, a probit model was employed to identify the determinants of researchers’ willingness to sell innovations from research. Furthermore ...