Perceptions of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) farmers on production technologies in the Agona West Municipality, Central Region - Ghana

The study sought to assess the dynamics of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) Produc­tion Technologies being used in the Agona West Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. Farmers were selected from 20 communities with the help of staff from the Department of Ag­riculture and were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The results revealed that though the grasscutter farmers were varied in their views, the dissemination of grasscutter technologies through video in the study area was deemed to be effective. The results of the Logistic regression model (R-Square values of 0.119 and 0.158) showed that the impact of the dissemination pro­gramme on the livelihoods of farmers who had adopted the grasscutter production technologies was best predicted by age, household size and level of education of farmers. The overall mean, 3.99 showed that the livelihoods of the farmers had highly been improved. The paper makes a strong case for a more participatory approach anchored on inclusive problem identification and formulation of research solution that will further ensure that problems that are targeted by re­search emanate from farmers. This is expected to ensure a more effective extension of research technologies to farmers and other actors along the grasscutter value chain in the area. Keywords: Grasscutter; Production Technologies; Agona West Municipality; Central Region; Ghan

The dynamics of agricultural extension delivery along the value chain: Assessment of agricultural extension activities of MMDAs in Ghana

This paper assessed agricultural extension delivery in 216 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana. It examined the extent of balance and the nature of extension delivery with respect to input supplying, production, processing and marketing. A survey of Heads of the Department of Agriculture in 80 MMDAs randomly selected nationwide was conducted using structured questionnaires. The data were triangulated with in-depth interview sessions with farmers, regional extension officers and private extension providers. The study showed a production-oriented nature of extension delivery across the country with 90% of respondents claiming to have focused extension delivery in their localities on production. This had led to the rather inadequate attention directed at processing and value addition on account of limited capacity of agricultural extension agents. While extension on input supplying was observed to be a private sector-driven activity in the hands of input dealers, the study showed limited extension delivery on marketing as most farmers made their own marketing arrangements. This paper makes a strong case for an extension policy that ensures a reasonable balance and one that introduces competitiveness in value chain activities. The paper also calls for sustained institutional capacity building to give providers a more balanced extension delivery

Occupational hazards and injuries among oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) farmers in the Kwaebibirem District in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) production in Ghana is associated with high levels of injury mainly because of the use of manual labour with little use of machinery. Using descriptive survey design, 100 oil palm farmers (50 males and 50 females) selected from each of the five-oil palm growing communities in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region, Ghana, were interviewed to identify the leading occupational hazards and injuries among oil palm farmers. The study showed that the major injuries farmers encountered during pre-planting operations were cutlass injury, stump injury, bee/wasp sting, general body pains and snake bites. Harvesting operations recorded body pains, objects on eyes, harvesting tool injury, snake bites and mattock injury as the major injuries, while post-harvest operations also recorded waist pains, injury on finger nails, cutlass injury and general body pains. Besides, the study showed significant difference between injuries experienced by both male and female oil palm farmers on their farms. The paper calls for sustained safety education and awareness creation on precautionary measures, and first aid operations at the farm level with special emphasis on the mandatory use of personal protective equipment

Influence of improved technology adoption on livelihoods of small ruminant farmers in Ghana

The study was conducted with the objective of finding how the adoption of small ruminant technologies affected the livelihood outcomes of small ruminant farmers in Ghana. Data collected using questionnaires which were triangulated with focus group discussions. A sample size of 180 small ruminant farmers comprising 141 men and 39 women was used. Socio-economic factors such as sex, age and contact with extension agents were observed to have significant effects on adoption. Also, a significant relationship was found between adoption and incomes, ability to afford school fees, payment of utility bills and access to veterinary drugs. There was also a significant relationship between adoption and food security and group membership. Adoption of improved technologies had influenced most of the livelihood outcomes of the farmers. It is recommended that extension officers continue to intensify education on the improved technologies so that more results can be obtained on livelihoods of the farmers

Compression force variability in mammography in Ghana – a baseline study

Introduction: Breast compression during mammographic examinations improves image quality and patient management. Several studies have been conducted to assess compression force variability among practitioners in order to establish compression guidelines. However, no such study has been conducted in Ghana. This study aims to investigate the compression force variability in mammography in Ghana. Methods: This retrospective study used data gathered from 1071 screening and diagnostic mammography patients from January, 2018–December, 2019. Data were gathered by seven radiographers at three centers. Compression force, breast thickness and practitioners' years of work experience were recorded. Compression force variability among practitioners and the correlation between compression force and breast thickness were investigated. Results: Mean compression force values recorded for craniocaudal (CC) (17.2 daN) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) (18.2 daN), were within the recommended values used by western countries. Most of the mammograms performed – 80% – were within the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) range. However, 65% were above the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Programme (NBCSP) range. Compression forces varied significantly (p = 0.0001) among practitioners. Compression forces increased significantly (p = 0.0001) with the years of work experience. A weak negative correlation (r = −0.144) and a weak positive correlation (r = 0.142) were established between compression force and breast thickness for CC and MLO projections respectively. Conclusion: This initial study confirmed that although wide variations in compression force exist among practitioners in Ghana, most practitioners used compression forces broadly within the range set by the NHSBSP. As no national guidelines for compression force currently exist in Ghana, provision of these may help to reduce the range of variations recorded. Implications for practice: Confirmation of variations in compression will guide future practice to minimize image quality disparities and improve quality of care

Gender Dimensions on the Effects of Seasonal Variations in Temperature and Rainfall on Cassava Production: A Study of Smallholder Farmers in Central Region, Ghana

This paper assesses the extent to which male and female cassava farmers suffer the adverse effects caused by seasonal variations in temperature and rainfall. Using a combination of cluster, stratified, and simple random sampling techniques, structured questionnaires were administered to 252 smallholder cassava farmers in the Awutu Senya District of the Central Region, Ghana. The study showed that 99% of men compared with 95% women cassava farmers experienced decreasing yields from year to year, because of seasonal variations in temperature and rainfall. Again, 86% of men and 72% of women farmers often delayed the harvesting time of cassava either because of extended drought period, or because of the delay in the onset of the rainy season. While 72% of women farmers reported that they experienced crop losses due to drought or too much rain, similar effects were experienced by 69% of men farmers. Besides, it emerged that the majority of women farmers were heavily affected by the consequences of climate variations on cassava production as compared with their men counterparts. This paper makes strong case for activities that will build the knowledge and skills-base of the farmers so that they can deal with the effects of seasonal variations in temperature and rainfall on cassava production. Keywords: gender dimension, seasonal variation, cassava, production, smallholder farmer

The Dynamics of Linkages and Innovativeness in Publicly and Privately Driven Agricultural Value Chains

The study examined how linkages among actors in the cocoa and pineapple value chains relate to the innovativeness of actors in the chains. The study showed that a policy environment that promoted public sector leadership in value chain functions and service provision, tended to offer less incentives for smallholder producers in the value chain to forge linkages and interact horizontally or vertically. It concluded that actors in agricultural value chain could build their capacity to respond to challenges if they united their efforts. In terms of policy implication, the study makes a case for more private sector involvement in value chain functions and service provision as it is more likely to foster linkages towards systems innovation

The Dynamics of Linkages and Innovativeness in Publicly and Privately Driven Agricultural Value Chains

The study examined how linkages among actors in the cocoa and pineapple value chains relate to the innovativeness of actors in the chains. The study showed that a policy environment that promoted public sector leadership in value chain functions and service provision, tended to offer less incentives for smallholder producers in the value chain to forge linkages and interact horizontally or vertically. It concluded that actors in agricultural value chain could build their capacity to respond to challenges if they united their efforts. In terms of policy implication, the study makes a case for more private sector involvement in value chain functions and service provision as it is more likely to foster linkages towards systems innovation