Agricultural Issues
Ghanaian Rice Growers Cultivate a Food Security Solution: Case Studies
From roadside food vendors to local restaurants to international fast-food outlets, the offer of rice – often with fried chicken – is never far away in Ghana's towns and cities. Indeed, chicken and rice seems to be fast becoming Ghana's national dish, though rice hasn't always been top of the menu.
Ghana Farmers to Benefit from Obama’s FTF Agriculture Technology Transfer
Feed the Future (FTF), a flagship programme of US President Barack Obama, has launched the Agriculture Technology Transfer (ATT) project in northern Ghana for farmers. Inaugurated November 21, 2013, the project aims to reach over 100,000 maize, rice, and soya farmers in northern Ghana through public and private sector partners.
Ghana’s Cocoa Industry Stable but Looking for Growth
As one of Ghana’s main sources of export revenue and employment, cocoa is of critical importance to the economy. Production is expected to be relatively stable for the 2013/14 season, while rising prices worldwide should lead to revenue growth. With the demand forecast still robust, the country is looking to improve the sustainability of harvest increases over the medium term through a number of supporting initiatives, although threats such as black pod disease are a concern.
SARI Recommends Improved Certified Seeds to Farmers
Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR- SARI) at the weekend demonstrated to two farmer groups the need to use certified seeds. This was done by comparing the harvested yield of two maize variety seeds, one belonging to the farmers, and the other for the researchers.
Ghana Can Increase Shea Production by 200 Metric Tons
Mr. Clement Kofi Humado, Minister of Food and Agriculture has observed that the country’s current shea production of 130 metric tons could be increased to about 200 metric tons. This, he said is achievable if the numerous challenges especially the issue of floor pricing is addressed. He said the country is ranked as one of the highest producer of shea in the Economic Community of West Africa States sub-region with the production record of 130 metric tons out of the regional total production of about 300 metric tons.
Reports/Articles
Influence of Current Seed Programme of Ghana on Maize (Zea mays) Seed Security
Research Journal of Seed Sciences 6(2): 29 – 39, 2013
Though several maize (zea mays) varieties and hybrids have been developed over the last three decades in Ghana, farmers still face challenges of access to quality seed. This study examined the influence of current seed programme of maize and suggests intervention to ameliorate the constraints of farmers in relation to seed security.
Agriculture and Growth in Low-income Countries: Overview of Debates and Links to Current Projects in the DFID-ESRC Growth Research Programme
Economic and Research Council
This paper outlines academic and policy debates central to the theme of agriculture and growth and shows how the current portfolio of projects commissioned under the programme addresses these issues.
Repackaging Agricultural Research for Greater Impact on Agricultural Growth in Africa
Journal of Food Security, 2013, Vol. 1, No. 2, 30-41
Despite the enormous research activities embarked upon by the various research entities in Africa over time, the expected research impacts remain obscure. This paper is a compilation of facts and figures from published peer reviewed articles, agricultural research and development reports from national and international institutions, and base-line data from the Africa Rice Centre aimed at elucidating the performance of agricultural research in Africa between 1960 and 2010. It discusses the constraints to the visible impact of agricultural research on the growth of Africa’s economy, and suggests how to repackage agricultural research for more visible impact on Africa’s economic growth.
How can social protection contribute to food security and nutrition in West Africa
A Antwi, AH Cissé
West Africa and more specifically the Sahel region, faces increasingly frequent food crisis which affect a growing number of areas and people. It is established fact that promoting broad-based economic growth is essential for development in general. However the benefits of such growth do not necessarily reach the poorest segment of society and therefore direct interventions are needed to target the socially and economically deprived groups.
Thank you
The articles included in this news digest have been generated from online news sources and the daily graphic newspaper published within last week. For more information on any of these articles, please contact Adwoa Kwarteng at A.Kwarteng@cgiar.org
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