Scientific Research and Essays

  • Abbreviation: Sci. Res. Essays
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1992-2248
  • DOI: 10.5897/SRE
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2768

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of rain-fed maize-based vegetable production systems in Northern Ghana

Yakubu Balma Issaka
  • Yakubu Balma Issaka
  • Faculty of Agribusiness and Communication Sciences, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box TL 1882, Nyankpala Campus, Tamale, Ghana
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Judith Seidu
  • Judith Seidu
  • Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box TL 1882, Nyankpala Campus, Tamale, Ghana
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Abdou Tenkouano
  • Abdou Tenkouano
  • AVRDC-The International Vegetable Center, Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Bamako, Mali
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  •  Received: 25 August 2015
  •  Accepted: 29 October 2015
  •  Published: 30 March 2016

Abstract

The study was conducted in Northern Ghana comprising of the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions. The objective of the study was to analyse maize-based rain-fed vegetable production systems with a view to explore their potential to contribute to food and income security for rural households. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were employed during the study. Questionnaires were employed to collect quantitative data, through semi-structured interviews on socio-cultural and economic dimensions of vegetable production including household characteristics, consumer perspectives and the economics of production and consumption of vegetables. The targeted respondents were households and consumers. Rain-fed cereal-based vegetable production is a key component of the traditional farming system in Northern Ghana and served as the main source of vegetables for rural households. The results showed that all households in the study area integrated vegetables with maize mainly for home consumption. Only a few households cultivated vegetables with the sole purpose of income.

 

Key words: Agriculture, rain-fed, household, vegetable, maize-based, Ghana, farming system.