Improving the Efficiency of Inland Valley Rice Production in Northern Ghana

In northern Ghana rice cultivation is believed to have a great potential in reducing poverty lev-els. Despite this, present yields are generally low due to lack of water control systems, high level of risks caused by uneven rainfall distribution, and inefficient farming practices. Against this background three interventions have been introduced in the Tamale area of the Northern Re-gion of Ghana, namely: the Agence Francaise de Development /Ministry of Food and Agricul-ture Lowland Rice Development Project (AFD/MOFA-LRDP); the Transfer of Effective Irriga-tion and Water Resources Management Project (TEIWRMT); and the Gollinga Irrigation Scheme of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA). The objective of this paper is to identify the socio-economic factors that influence the inefficiency of farmers under the three rice cultivation schemes. The method of analysis involves a one-step estimation of a stochastic fron-tier model. Though the average efficiency is low, it is relatively high for intensive rice cultivation with improved water harvesting schemes such as bunds and water regulating structures. Other factors that reduce farmers’ inefficiency are: education; extension visits; farmers’ experience and group membership. However, general inaccessibility increases farmers’ inefficiency. To help bring the much needed development in northern Ghana it is important that rice cultivation be supported with more of the following: water harvesting and regulating structures; improve-ment in the road net-work; as well as education and extension services, among others

How Efficient is Green Revolution Technology Adoption in Ghana?

The study seeks to find out the effects of Green Revolution technology adoption on output/efficiency of agricultural households in Ghana. The method of analysis involves Battese and Coelli's (1993; 1995) one-step estimation of a stochastic frontier model. Technology adoption was found to have positive effects on output. Households' efficiency was also greater for the following: male-headed households, large households and small farms. Other factors that increase efficiency are living close to extension centres, in the rural areas and in the south of the country. It is recommended that technology adoption be taken seriously so as to realize its full impact on output. Also, households must be encouraged to form farmer groups as an important source of farm labour and more extension services must be provided. Above all, the problem of lack of effective markets must be addressed through a more effective management of the ongoing liberalization Programme. Journal of the Ghana Science Association Vol. 10 (2) 2008: pp. 103-11

Effects of dietary vitamin C addition on the performance of broilers in a hot, humid environment

In an experiment lasting 7 weeks, 288 one-day-old unsexed broiler chicks were used to assess the effect of supplementary vitamin C on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks raised in a hot, humid environment. The birds were randomly alloted in equal numbers to four dietary treatments based on maize and fishmeal to which were added 0, 100, 150 or 200 mg vitamin C per kilogram, respectively. The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous, containing 12.51 MJ (ME) and 212.4 g crude protein per kg. Each treatment had three replicates. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Supplementary vitamin C had no significant effect on all the performance and carcass traits studied, including feed intake, growth rate, and feed conversion efficiency. No economic advantage was gained by adding vitamin C to broiler feed. Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.31(1) 1998: 113-11

The nutritive value of quality protein maize in the diets of broiler chickens

Two experiments, each lasting 6 weeks, were conducted to evaluate quality protein maize (QPM) as a feed gredient for broiler chickens. In Experiment 1, either normal hybrid maize (NM) or QPM was used as the sole source of protein and amino acids, and the diets were balanced for vitamins and minerals by the addition of a vitamin-mineral premix. These diets were compared with a balanced 21 per cent crude protein starter-finisher broiler diet. In Experiment 2, broiler chicks were fed combined starter-finisher diets of varying protein contents in which QPM replaced normal maize. The aim was to assess the potential for reducing dietary fishmeal incorporation as QPM replaced normal maize. In both experiments, feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The parameters measured included feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, and carcass characteristics. The economics of broiler production was determined in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, birds receiving QPM as the sole source of amino acids performed significantly better (