Below are some current developments on agriculture in Africa:
Agricultural Issues
COCOBOD Baits Youth into Cocoa Farming
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) says its broad-based initiative of involving youth in cocoa farming is part of a succession plan to motivate the youth to embrace cocoa farming as a business and take over from aging farmers. The Board’s initiative is as well to encourage more rural folks, unemployed graduates and corporate youth into the cocoa business to become the next generation of cocoa farmers in the country. Over 30,000 youth are currently engaged in the cultivation of the crop in all the cocoa growing regions and is targetted at replacing the aging farming syndrome that is catching up with the industry. Noah Kwesi Amenyah, Public Affairs Manager, COCOBOD told B&FT that its new initiate, ‘New Cocoa Sector Transformation Agenda’ is aimed at enticing a lot more Ghanaian ….
500 Cocoa Farmers Receives Seedlings
About 500 cocoa farmers from the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipality in the Eastern Region have taken delivery of 100,000 seedlings and quantities of fertiliser for this year’s planting season. The beneficiary communities are Pakro, Out Kwadwo, Fahiako, Asiawkrom and Ahyirensu-Yeboakrom. Mr. Michael Gyasi, the Suhum Cocoa District Officer, speaking to farmers at Pakro explained that with the change in rain pattern farmers will readily plant the seedlings, adding that the application of the ‘Lithovit Foliarar’ (liquid) fertiliser on their farms, under the programme, is also on course. Mr. Gyasi said the rationale for free distribution of seedlings and fertilisers to cocoa farmers is to help increase their yield; ease their financial burdens; and curb the decline of cocoa production.
Kuapa Kokoo Exceeds Cocoa Purchase Target for Current Crop Season
Kuapa Kokoo Limited (KKL), a licensed buying company, has exceeded its cocoa production target even before end of the 2014/2015 crop season. As at end of July 2015, the company has bought 720,000 bags of cocoa, against a target of 640,000 bags. This was disclosed at the 21st Annual Delegates Conference of the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union in Kumasi. “The Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union will continue to support Kuapa Kokoo Limited by resourcing them and also ensuring that they adhere to Fairtrade standards. It is the duty and obligation of all members of the Union that we sell our produce to KKL in order to strengthen our own LBC,” said Madam Fatima Ali, President of the Union.
Cashew Farmers at Kabile Starve Processing Factory of Raw Material
Most cashew farmers at Kabile, near Sampa in the Bono Ahafo Region are refusing to sell their produce to the only processing factory in the area due to what they say is delayed payment. Locals say the decision of the farmers is badly affecting the operation of the factory which provides jobs for the youth. As a result, more than half of the employees have been laid-off as farmers sell the raw material to foreigners at a reduced price. “Because of the high cost of the raw materials, the farmers are willing to sell to the ready market. Since last year, we have not been getting raw material to process,” said Mathew Sah Kwadwo, Processing Manager.
Recognize the Abilities and Capabilities of Researchers – Institute
Mr. Timothy Williams, the Director of Africa, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), has called for the recognition of researchers as they contribute to the world’s development through research. He said: "Researchers represent the future. Solutions to Ghana's Volta River Basin's land and water management challenges will be in their hands and, therefore, the knowledge, skills and expertise they are developing through their studies should be accorded the needed attention." Mr. Williams said this in Accra when the IWMI celebrated its 30th Anniversary and also honored young researchers in West Africa. The celebration was on the theme: "IWMI Celebrates 30 Years with Young Researchers Awards". He said the year-long anniversary celebration across the world also …
ADRA Trains Women in Best Farming Practices
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA-Ghana) has trained a total of 4,562 women from 10 districts in the Northern Region on best agronomic practices as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and poverty among women. The women have also been trained in soil fertility management, such as planting techniques and the use of inorganic manure (compost), as part of measures to increase yield and improve the livelihood of the beneficiary women. The support which forms part of a three-year Agricultural Productivity Improvement and Marketing Project (INTAPIMP) is being funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Ghana and the Rockefeller Foundation through the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) at a cost of $1,096 million.
Poultry Farmers Ready to Meet Demand; Even for Christmas Period
The Ghana National Poultry Farmers Association (GNPFA) has said in spite of the Avian influenza (bird flu) recorded in the country it is ready to meet 40 per cent demand of birds during Christmas.“The Ministry of Food and Agriculture inaugurated a committee made up of stakeholders in the industry to ensure that poultry farmers in the country meet a 40 per cent demand in the market and we are ready to meet that target in spite of the challenges the sector is facing” the Chairman of the GNPFA, Mr. Victor Opong Adjei, told the GRAPHIC BUSINESS in Accra. The committee’s responsibility among others is to ensure that importers stick to 60 per cent importation of chicken products coming into the country in order to avoid shortage of meat. He debunked media reports that there was inadequate sensitization on the Avian influenza (bird flu) and therefore a potential epidemic might break out.
Poor Market Infrastructure; Bane of Agric Sector - Agri Impact Consult Boss
Agri Impact Consult is a wholly owned company providing agribusiness technologies to boost production in the agriculture sector. The Executive Director of the company, Mr. Dan Acquaye (DA), shared some perspectives with Jessica Acheampong. Agri Impact Consult is a private company and its aim is to provide distinctive agribusiness services and innovative solutions to agribusiness firms and value chain actors. We do consultancy work, value chain training and we are also involved in greenhouse productions, incubation mentorship as well as agribusiness market assessment plans. We provide services in more than 28 countries for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), GIZ, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), New Partnership for Africa's Development ….
Commodity Prices Decline
Most commodities this week experienced losses in prices. The commodity with the highest lost was tomatoes losing 20 per cent to close the week at GH¢7.00 per “medium size tomato tin”. Some of the remaining commodities also experienced no change in price. An olunka of maize prices remained stable in most markets across the country. It however dropped 12 per cent in Takoradi to close the week at GH¢5.70. A “medium size tomato tin” full of fresh tomatoes dropped by 29 per cent in Bawku to close the week at GH¢9.00. In Tamale it dropped 33 per cent to close the week at GH¢6.30. Also in Dambai the commodity dropped 22 per cent to close the week at GH¢7.00 with Takoradi dropping 19 per cent to close at GH¢10.20. In Techiman the commodity dropped by 9 per cent to close the …
WAATCO to Establish Tractor Assembling Plant in Ghana
The West Africa Agro-Tech Company Ghana Limited (WAATCO) would in the next five years establish an assembling plant in Ghana to deliver 5,000 tractors at a cheaper price to support the agriculture sector. The company would also train the youth both in and outside Ghana on how to generate opportunities in various fields of technology and service to farmers. Mr. Akoliya Patel, Managing Director, WAATCO Ghana, announced this during the inauguration of the company’s showroom in Accra, showcasing Indian made Sonalika tractors, farming machines, service centre, training centre and spare parts depot. He said the company would soon launch mobile tractor service vans which would move across the country to offer after sale services, repair and maintenance to farmers as part of the package which comes with trading with them…
EDAIF Approves ȼ28.5 Million for 135 Beneficiaries
The Export Trade, Agricultural and Industrial Development Fund (EDAIF) has approved a total amount of about GH₵ 28.5 million to one hundred and thirty-five beneficiaries in the public and private sectors. Specific sectors that received funding include poultry, agricultural production, agro -processing and manufacturing. A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of EDAIF, Dr. Bafour Osei said they will continue to provide significant support to Ghanaian producers and entrepreneurs. “The Export Trade, Agricultural and Industrial related activities of three public sector institutions were also supported to enable them implement a number of projects”. “A new phase of the EDAIF funded mango project, which is in its sixth year of implementation, was also supported” it added…
'Nation Needs to Double Palm Oil Output in the Next 10-15 Years'
The President of the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG), Mr. Samuel Awonnea Avaala says the country needs to double its palm oil output in the next 10-15 years to become self-sufficient and save foreign exchange that could otherwise go into palm oil importation. “We need as a country to double our output in the next 10-15 years so we can become self-sufficient in palm oil and save foreign exchange which could otherwise go into palm oil importation.” Speaking at the Association’s first stakeholder meeting in Accra, which brought together major players in the industry, Mr. Avaala explained that one of the major constraints to production of the crop is challenges relating to land acquisition; despite the favorable natural resources, Ghana is a net importer of palm oil: “We buy more palm oil with our scarce resources than we produce.
Ghana Nuts Establishes Refinery in Tema
Ghana Nuts Limited (GNL), an agro-processing company at Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region, has established a subsidiary automated plant in Tema to further enhance its export trading activities. The 3,000metric tonne facility, which is due for commissioning, has been engineered to refine soya-bean and shea crude for exporting to cosmetics companies in countries like Germany, France, the Netherlands and Cote d’Ivoire. In an interview with B&FT, Obed Asante - Managing Director-GNL - said the development will raise the level of the wholly-owned Ghanaian company to a centre of excellence for the oils and fats industry on the global market; number-one being shea-butter and its specialty fat products for confectionary and cosmetics…
Mango Farmers Worry over Black-spot Disease
Mango farmers have appealed for an urgent action to help stop the spread of bacterial black-spot (BBS) disease attack on their crops, as it is ravaging farms, killing trees and destroying yet-to-mature fruit. The disease causes cracks in both the trees and the fruit, resulting in the fruit getting rotten and dropping from the tree prematurely. The disease is said to be spreading in Kintampo, Techiman, Nkoranza and other mango-growing areas in Brong Ahafo, as well as in the Eastern Region. About 80 percent of mango plantations in Kintampo and its surrounding communities have come under attack. Mr. Kwasi Etu-Bonde, Managing Director of Sky-3 Farms at Kintampo, expressed concern about the development at a workshop to discuss access to financing by agribusiness operators and …
Food Security/Crisis
SEND-Ghana’s FOSTERING Project Thrives in East Gonja
Poverty alleviation fund managers, SEND-Ghana’s pro-poor project christened Food Security through Cooperatives in Northern Ghana (FOSTERING) is positively impacting on the livelihood of hundreds of people in the East Gonja District of the Northern Region. The project focuses on four thematic areas of improving food security and sustainable economic growth for small-holder farmers, improving production, better marketing of products, expansion of household activities into off-season businesses and access to finance. It covers 130 communities in eight (8) districts in the Northern region comprising East Gonja, Kpandai, Nanumba South, Nanumba North, Krachi-Nchumuru, Zabzugu, Tatale-Sangule and Chereponi.
SEND-Ghana Disburses GH¢121,750.00 to Farmers
The Chamba Community Cooperative Credit Union Limited with the support of SEND-Ghana, a non-governmental organization, has disbursed an amount of GH¢121,750.00 credit to some small scale farmers at Chamba in the Nanumba North District of the Northern Region. The credit facility to the farmers is a component of the FOSTERING project, which is aimed to reduce food insecurity and improve the standard of living of the people in the beneficiary areas. Mr. Andrews Makala Nbibini, Manager of the Chamba Community Cooperative Credit Union, who disclosed this to the media on Thursday, said the farmers were supposed to repay the facility within nine-months with an interest rate of 20 per cent. He said GH¢84,850.00 of the said amount was disbursed last farming season while GH¢36,900.00 was disbursed in 2015 farming season. Mr. Nbibini indicated that since the credit disbursement last year, many of the beneficiaries had recorded appreciable improvement in …
Enhancing Food Security Using PICS Bags
Effective storage of grains such as maize, beans, cowpea, groundnuts and rice has always been a major challenge to smallholder farmers, not only in the country, but the rest of Africa. Grains are mostly destroyed by pests and insects within three months of storage due to the lack of proper storage methods for farmers and food dealers. It is for this reason that Purdue University in the United States of America must be commended for introducing a new technology called, “Purdue Improved Crop Storage” (PICS) bags to provide a simple, effective low-cost method of reducing post-harvest losses in cereal crops due to insect infestations in West and Central Africa.
Reducing Farm Lands, Recipe for Food Insecurity – Study
A study conducted by the Department of Land Economy of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has revealed that land for farming is becoming scarcer with serious implications on agriculture and food security. “Land pressures across the country are resulting in squeezing land access and livelihoods of rural land users. “With population, urbanisation and other pressures still on the rise, the plight of the rural people could worsen in the absence of appropriate policy responses,” the study revealed. “This state of affairs requires immediate and appropriate policy responses that would adequately address the issues”, Professor John Tiah Bugri, Head of the Department of Land Economy, KNUST, stated when he presented the findings at a stakeholders’ workshop in Accra on Tuesday. The research was conducted by a team led by Prof Bugri and Dr Eric Yeboah, a Lecturer at the Department to carry out the study in selected districts in Western Region and …
Peace is Good for Food Security - Sasu
Born into a farming family where Lydia Sasu, a farmer and the executive director of Development Action Association (DAA) witnessed her mother struggle to make enough money to feed the entire family, she is excited to learn that the world isn’t as hungry as it used to be. She is of the view that as the world’s population continues to grow, the pessimists worried it would be different, they insisted that we’d run out of food. According to her, they claimed that more people would mean more hunger - more mouths to feed, more empty bellies, more malnourishment, more famine, and more starvation. And yet the opposite is true, Lydia Sasu emphasized. The statistics tell the story: In 1990, the global population of hungry people was about 1 billion. Today, this figure has dropped to less than 800 million, according to a new report from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.
Reports/Articles
Farmer Perceptions on the Use of Non-conventional Animal Protein Sources for Scavenging Chickens in Semi-arid Environments
CN Ncobela, M Chimonyo - African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2015
For sustainable intensification of village production systems, it is important to understand the views of farmers who keep the chickens on the utilization of available protein sources. The objective of the study was to assess farmer perceptions on the use of non-conventional animal protein (NCAP) sources for scavenging chickens. Resource-poor households of Msinga local municipality in uMzinyathi district, KwaZulu-Natal province (n = 239) were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to analyse the data. Females were the prominent heads of households, followed by males, and then youths. Feed shortages were among the major challenges that limited chicken production. Provision of chicken housing and religion highly influenced (P<0.05) a …
Large-Scale Land Acquisitions in Tanzania: A Critical Analysis of Their Implications on Water Security
A Taylor - 2015
The surge in large-scale land acquisitions – or ‘land grabs’ – following the financial crisis has provoked a polarised debate centred on the role of foreign investment in African agriculture. A critical, and often overlooked, component of this debate is the role of water. Drawing on fieldwork conducted in 2013, this thesis explores a large-scale sugar project slated to begin in Tanzania in order to understand the likely implications of large-scale land acquisitions on water security. Although the original project bore all of the hallmarks of a ‘land grab’, a change in ownership saw the project reinvented and rebranded as a model for sustainable agriculture. Using a critical lens that transcends simplistic understandings of water security as water availability, this thesis provides some insights on how large-scale agricultural projects approach water management and what this may mean for water security in Tanzania.
Contribution of Public Extension to Food Security of Smallholder Farmers in Limpopo Province, South Africa in an Era of Climate Variability
DB Afful, IB Oluwatayo, KA Kyei, K Ayisi, EM Zwane - J Hum Ecol, 2015
The paper examined the effectiveness of public extension support for dry land smallholder grain producers. Both probability and non-probability sampling procedures were used to select districts, Local Agricultural Offices and farmers from 20 villages of Limpopo province, South Africa in January 2014. Data was collected from field-level extension agents and farmers using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyze the data. Results show that most agents promoted conservation agriculture as a climate variability coping strategy. Furthermore, public extension support made a difference in farmers’ yield over non extension recipients’ yields, though small. Forty percent of maize producers who received extension support bought extra maize meal for home consumption indicating maize yields from farmers’ own production was insufficient to ensure household food security. Findings also suggest non-farming sources contributed
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