AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA Soil fertility management practices of cocoa farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana

ABSTRACT National outputs of cocoa beans in Ghana has seen appreciable increases in the last six years due in part to pragmatic policies including the national control of pests and diseases on all cocoa farms, the increased use of fertilizers on farmers' farms and increase in the producer price paid to farmers. However, productivity on farmers' farms remains low at 400 kg/ha against potential yield of over 2.5 tonnes per hectare. The continuous mining of inherent fertility of cocoa soils without replenishment has been identified as major cause of the low productivity of cocoa farms. Using structured survey instruments, this study sought to identify farmer soil fertility management practices that enhances yield and which could be improved by way of research outcomes. A total of 150 farmers from three districts in the Eastern region were randomly selected and interviewed on one-on-one basis between July and October 2008. Farmers' soil fertility management practices included chemical and organic fertilizer application, control of erosion and mulching. Farmers who are members of farmers' associations had better access to fertilizers and also applied the fertilizers correctly and at the right time. The effectiveness of fertilizer application was dependent on effective control of blackpod disease, capsids and judicious pruning and shade management. The findings imply that intensive education of farmers on the need to carry out recommended husbandry practices was critical if soil fertility management strategies are to be translated into improved on-farm productivity

Eco-efficiency of Alternative Cropping Systems Managed in an Agricultural Watershed

The eco-efficiency index (EEI) framework has been used to determine economically and environmentally optimal nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates for some pollutants (such as greenhouse gas emissions) for selected agricultural production systems. However, previous EEI applications have not examined N application rates linked to nitrate-N loss from crop production. The research gap is surprising given the importance of nutrient N in crop production and concerns with nitrate-N in groundwater systems. Eco-efficiency of crop production systems are increased for farm management practices which generate higher economic returns and lower negative environmental impacts and, therefore are considered more eco-efficient. Data for the analysis were generated using the SWAT biophysical simulation modeling. The cropping systems evaluated in this study included: i) corn-based cropping systems involving corn-corn-alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa (CCAAA), and CCCAA rotations; ii) potato-based cropping systems involving potato-corn-barley-potato-corn (PCBPC) and PBWPC; and iii) vegetable-horticulture cropping system involving potato-winter wheat-potato-carrot-corn (PWRC) all managed under conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) systems. Estimated eco-efficient N fertilizer rates were substantially lower than current NMP-recommended rates (NMP N rates) and the maximum economic rate nitrogen fertilization (MERN). However, the actual amounts depended on the crop and rotation system. CCAAA-CT was the most eco-efficient rotation choice among the corn-based cropping systems considered. Similarly, PCBPC-CT was the most eco-efficient choice among the potato-based production systems. In addition, when the NMP-recommended N rate was replaced by the EE N rate for the vegetable horticulture cropping system, the eco-efficient cropping system shifted from a rotation involving CT to a NT system. Eco-efficient N fertilization rates that explicitly simultaneously considers economic and environmental dimensions of cropping system performance will require substantial trade-offs between farm returns and reduction in nitrate pollution

Nitrogen abatement cost comparison for cropping systems under alternative management choices

There is a need for cost-effective methods to reduce nitrogen pollution from agriculture. Marginal abatement cost (MAC) curves for nitrate-nitrogen pollution in an agricultural watershed are evaluated using estimated crop yield and nitrate pollution production functions for alternative cropping systems. The cropping systems considered in this study included i) two grain corn-based cropping systems; ii) two potato-based cropping systems; and iii) a vegetable-horticulture system, managed under conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT). The cost-effective potato-based cropping system which met the Health Canada maximum contaminant limit (MCL) for nitrate-N, with the highest gross margin ($6973 ha-1) and lowest abatement cost ($395 ha-1) was a potato-barley-winter wheat-potato-corn rotation under no-till (PBWPC-NT). Similarly, among the vegetable-horticulture cropping systems, potato-winter wheat-carrot-corn rotation under CT (PWRC-CT) generated the highest gross margin and lowest on-farm abatement cost ($680 ha-1). As the Health Canada allowable limit on nitrate-N pollution was relaxed (i.e., less stringent), the cost-effective corn-based cropping system shifted from a rotation involving corn-corn-alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa under CT to corn-corn-corn-alfalfa-alfalfa under NT

A Typology of Young Cocoa Farmers: Attitudes, Motivations and Aspirations

This paper presents a typology to highlight and describe the variation in attitudes among young farmers in rural Ghana, a group that has been treated in policy discourses and in development practice as largely homogenous. It further identifies motivations and aspirations associated with each type. A cluster analysis of survey data from 120 respondents yielded two types of young farmers: ‘positive’ and ‘resigned’. The likelihood of being in either category was found to be related to marital status, location, and whether one had a secondary occupation. Further, the ‘positive’ group was more likely to report being influenced by adult role models and more likely to aspire to stay in farming. Our findings underscore the relevance of socio-economic and ecological environment on young people’s attitudes to and decisions regarding farming and, consequently, on the outcome of policy and programmatic interventions meant to increase their participation in agriculture

Supply-Side Practices and Constraints of the Kola Nut (Cola nitida (Vent) Schott. and Endl.) Value Chain in Ghana: A Descriptive Evidence

The use of kola nut, including natural or alternative medicinal sources, has inevitably created an increased global market demand in excess of its production and provides great prospects for the growth of the kola nut industry in producing countries like Ghana. Nonetheless, there is a great dearth of information on Ghana’s kola nut supply-side practices and constraints that can provide a basis for the development of the industry. This study fills the research gap by describing the practices and constraints of farmers, processors, and marketers of kola nut in Ghana. Using a survey methodology, results showed that nearly all (99.5%) farmers interviewed had not received any extension training on agronomic practices. Low market price of nuts (61.5%) and pests and diseases (60.4%) were the most reported constraints to kola nut production. Chiefs among motivating factors for cultivating kola nut were alternative livelihood support (58%). Some processors (28.6%) who rinsed nuts after depulping used a solution of Akate Master (bifenthrin) and others (51.0%) used fumigation tablets (aluminium phosphide) (91.0%) for storing the nuts. However, these chemicals may be dangerous to the health of consumers in the long run. The low selling price of kola nuts was perceived to be the most (74.8%) constraint to kola nut processing and marketing. Respondents noted that the red nuts were preferred for their durability during transportation and longer shelf life, while the white nuts were preferred for their taste. The results suggest the need for further agronomic, postharvest handling, preservation, and storage, as well as breeding research to provide recommendations to farmers and processors. To overcome some marketing challenges, there is a need for policy support to standardize pricing and grading systems for the mutual benefit of all the stakeholders

Genetic variability of bioactive compounds and selection for nutraceutical quality in kola [Cola nitida (Vent) Schott. and Endl.].

Cola nitida known as Kola serves as flavouring ingredient in the food industry and is also of great importance during traditional rites in Africa. Despite the well-known pharmaceutical values of the species, efforts to develop improved varieties with enhanced nutraceutical quality is limited due to unavailability of information on variation of genotypes in bioactive compounds in the nuts. The objectives of this research were to evaluate 25 genotypes of kola for bioactive contents, determine relationship between nutritional and phenolic traits and to identify kola genotypes with good nutraceutical quality for use in developing improved varieties. The kola genotypes were established in the field using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Nuts harvested from the blocks, were bulked and used to quantify soluble and insoluble sugars, total protein, moisture, ash, fats, pH, polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids using completely randomized design with three replicates in the laboratory. Data were analysed by combining Analysis of Variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, correlation test and multivariate analysis. Significant variations (P 0.05), correlation between nutritional and phenolic traits was negative, whereas correlations among nutritional traits were weak. On the contrary, significant and positive correlations (P < 0.05) were observed among phenolic traits. The hierarchical clustering analysis based on the traits evaluated grouped the 25 genotypes of kola evaluated into four clusters. Genotypes A12, JB4, JB19, JB36, P2-1b, and P2-1c were identified as potential parental lines for phenolic traits selection in kola whereas genotypes A10, Club, Atta1 and JB10 can be considered for soluble and insoluble sugar-rich variety development. These findings represent an important step towards improving nutritional and nutraceutical quality of kola nuts