Agro-Diversity in the Forest-Savannah Transition Zone of Ghana: A Strategy for Food Security against Climatic and Socio-Economic Stressors

Abstract

Food security is a major issue affecting about 239 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, local ecosystems-based adaptive strategies for reducing the impact of climate change and other stressors on food production systems are very relevant in the national food security agenda. This study assessed how farmers in communities of the environs of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserves in the forest-savanna transition zone of Ghana exploit a range of options for food production that spread and reduce risks and ensure sustainability of the local environment. Through a cross-sectional survey involving focus group discussions, institutional data search and on-site observations, the study investigated different ways to which the natural diversity of the environment has been used by farmers to enhance farm productivity and farmer income. The study observed that climate variability, land expropriation for protected area establishment, inappropriate use of farm technology and low pricing for farm produce pose as major threats to sustainable agriculture in the area. These constraints have compelled farmers to adopt a range of agro-diversity practices for increased farm productivity and income. They include introduction of new crop varieties, adoption of innovative farm management practices, diversified farm fields and sequential cropping systems. The study noted that the diversified systems have boosted farmer productivity and incomes and contributed to their socio-cultural needs. The study recommends greater crop intensification through the use of appropriate technologies and improved access to markets to consolidate farmer gains and livelihoods as well as ensuring food and nutritional security.

Contribution of remote sensing to wildfire trend and dynamic analysis in two of Ghana’s ecological zones: Guinea-savanna and Forest-savanna mosaic

“…Brenan (dahoma), Amphimas pterocarpoides Pierre ex Harms (yaya), Chrysophyllum albidum G.Don (akasaa), and Daniellia ogea (Harms) Rolfe ex Holland (hyedua). The landscape can be described as a mosaic of diverse elements including forest types, human settlements, hydrological systems, and agroecological niches (Ayivor et al 2015).…”

Changing Agricultural Practices and Indigenous Food Crops in the Upper Afram Basin of Ghana

“…This zone is considered as the food hub of the country and hence offers great potential for increased food productivity. The basin has an annual average temperature of about 28 o C (Ayivor et al, 2016) with average annual rainfall ranging between 1200 mm and 1300 mm. Its population is made up of largely indigenous Asante and migrants from the northern parts of Ghana (Ayivor & Ntiamoa-Baidu, 2015).…”