Vegetables make up a large proportion of food consumption in Ghana comprising 12.8% of food expenditure (GLSS 2012/13). However, despite favorable agro-ecological conditions, local vegetable production fails to meet demand. Low yields and restricted access to marketing networks characterize the vegetable sector in the country, presenting a challenge as far as competitiveness and production incentives are concerned.
The factors constraining the competitiveness of the Ghanaian vegetable sector are examined in a new GSSP working paper Competitiveness of the Ghanaian vegetable sector: Findings from a farmer survey. Drawing from data from three surveys of wholesalers and producers, the study focuses on trade, production, profitability and marketing of tomatoes, onions, scotch bonnet peppers and carrots.
Some issues that are explored, include:
Seasonality of local production which creates a dependence on imports to meet seasonal shortfalls;
Low productivity due to limited access to suitable seed varieties, as well as substandard plant protection and soil management practices;
Heterogeneous profit margins as a result of differences in yields and prices; and
Trader-organized market restrictions in relation to supply quantities, prices and market access.
The authors conclude that expansion of vegetable production in Ghana would require improvements in the conditions surrounding both production and marketing. The study highlights high-return opportunities in import-substitution of vegetables. To build on the interesting results in regards to scotch bonnets, GSSP is currently working on a study that aims to analyze marketing relationships in chili pepper value chains.
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