ABSTRACT Rainfall variability and early season drought are among the most severe consequences of climate change in the Sahelian zone of Mali in West Africa that affect the production of key staple crops such as Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Therefore, a three-step research was conducted with trials in the laboratory, pots and field to improve seed germination and reduce crop establishment failure. The experiments were set up to evaluate the effects of heat and drought stress, priming...
ABSTRACT This study examined youth participation and productivity in cocoa farming in the Western North Cocoa Region of Ghana using primary data from 958 respondents through the field assistance of Solidaridad West Africa. Systematic and purposive sampling techniques were used to sample 588 youth (35years) from Sefwi Bekwai, Boako, Akontombra, Bodi and Asempaneye. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the distribution in the roles played by the youth in cocoa farming in the study are...
ABSTRACT Public and private extension providers have been assisting farmers in Liberia but there has been no study done on services they deliver to cassava farmers. The purpose of the study therefore was to investigate the delivery system of public and private extension services on cassava farmers. The study used quantitative survey in which 318 proportionately randomly sampled cassava farmers in the Sanniquellie and Saclepea Mahn Districts were interviewed using an interview schedule.. The s...
ABSTRACT Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) is a major pest of maize and sorghum in East Africa and indigenous natural enemies have been unable to maintain the pest population at a level acceptable to farmers. In Kenya, a classical biological control programme was initiated in an attempt to increase natural suppression of Chilo partellus and other stemborers. To do this, a natural enemy of Chilo parfellus, Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), has been introduced into Kenya from Pakista...
ABSTRACT The study was conducted to estimate productivity and resource use efficiency of cashew farmers in Ghana focusing on the Brong-Ahafo and Volta regions. First, it estimated the technical efficiency levels of cashew producers, identified the determinants of the technical inefficiency of producers and finally estimated resource use efficiency of inputs used by cashew producers. A cross-sectional data for 2017 cropping season was collected from 200 cashew farmers and the estimation was ...
Long-term greenhouse experiments with corn (Zea mays) established that uptake of Fe from nutrient solutions may be significantly enhanced by increasing the supply of potassium. A mechanism was proposed to describe how uptake of macronutrient ions may in turn influence availability and uptake of Fe and other elements from their chelated and sparingly soluble compounds. It was hypothesized that since differential accumulation of cations is accompanied by a net release of H ions, and excess anio...
ABSTRACT The study was carried out at the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre (FOHCREC), Kade from 2008 to 2012. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of coconut water (CW) alone or in combination with varying concentrations of auxin (IAA) on axillary bud initiation, growth and development of plantain (cv. Asamienu). In the first experiment, coconut water from fully matured dried fruits was supplemented with three different IAA concentrations...
ABSTRACT This study was carried out in some parts of the Northern and Upper East regions of Ghana with the objective of identifying the traditional soil conservation options available to farmers in the area. The study subsequently assessed the economics of the use of stone bunds as a conservation technology. To achieve the above objectives structured questionnaires were administered in selected villages from the East and West Mamprusi districts in the Northern region and the Bolgatanga distr...
ABSTRACT The high cost and increasing disposal problems associated with polyethylene mulch and greater availability of organic mulches prompted an investigation into the effects of organic mulches on growth and yield of sweet pepper at the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre, Okumaning near Kade. Two field experiments were conducted in the raining season, that is from July, 2012 to December, 2012 and in the dry season from December, 2012 to March, 2013. In ...
ABSTRACT Cocoa production is very critical to the livelihood and survival of many smallholder farmers in Ghana. However, one of the challenges of the sector is low yields which is partly attributed to the widespread presence of old cocoa trees. It is therefore imperative to provide solutions to improve yield, of which the side grafting technology is a proven method. The study assesses Farmers’ Willingness to Pay for Cocoa Grafting in the Eastern region of Ghana. The research sought to find...
ABSTRACT Smallholder farmers in Ghana are confronted with the problem of low crop yields as a result of their lack of access to agricultural productive resources. Smallholder farmers within the Dangme East and Dangme West districts are no exception. The objective of this study was to examine the socio-economic and institutional factors that influence smallholder farmers‘ access to productive resources. Data was collected from 150 respondents who were selected from the Dangme East and Dangm...
ABSTRACT The analysis of women’s entrepreneurship role in agricultural value chains could help policy address challenges that women particularly face in agribusiness. Though oil palm provides several value added products, this study analysed the role of women in the oil palm value chain with particular reference to palm oil in the Akyemansa District and Birim Central Municipality in the Eastern Region. In this study, both women and men are entrepreneurs seeking to maximise profit from their...
ABSTRACT Three experiments were carried out at the university of Ghana Agricultural Research Station, Legon, from November, 1999 to November, 2000, to assess field establishment and seed yield of five forage crops at various harvest periods and how their germination can be enhanced to improve pasture production in the country. The studies also examined the influence of storage of the seeds at room temperature, fridge and cold room and duration of storage on seed viability. High seed yields w...
ABSTRACT The efficacy of Spent Brewery Grain of Pito (SBGP) and Brukutu (SBGB), used as sources of protein baits, were compared with two standard products - SUCCESS Appat (GF-120) and Great Fruit Fly Bait (GFFB)) as attractants in the field for the management of fruit flies in four mango farms in the Coastal Savanna ecological zone (Christian Farms, Adom Farms, Prosper and Boko Farms). Five plots (SBGP, SBGB, GF-120, GFFB and Control) were set up in each farm, with a total of 20 plots used f...
Abstract Most Apex Farmer Organisations continually state as part of their mission and objectives that they exist to “represent farmers’ interests and give farmers a voice”; however, most farmers’ have not benefitted much from these Apex Farmer Organisations. The study was structured to assess the representational capacity of three Apex Farmer Organisations in Ghana: Apex Farmer Organisation of Ghana (ApFOG), Ghana Cocoa Coffee Sheanut Farmers’ Association (GCCSFA) and Peasant Far...