Land tenure and differential soil fertility management practices among native and migrant farmers in Wenchi, Ghana: implications for interdisciplinary action research

Abstract

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Effect of Chicken Manure Application on Cassava Biomass and Root Yields in Two Agro-Ecologies of Zambia

“…The slash and burn system that is still practiced by some Zambian farmers, especially in the Northern part of the country [59], could also explain the observed low fertilizer use in Zambia. However, as evidenced in West and East African countries [56,58,60], a low input production system cannot support the high crop yield required to meet the needs of a growing population and can also cause environmental degradation, through deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, these conditions necessitate the use of fertilizer, either organic or mineral sources, to sustain cassava farming in the long run and meet the growing cassava demand in the country.…”

Decomposition and Nitrogen Release Patterns of Parkiabiglobosa and Albizialebbeck Leaves with Nitrogen Fertilizer for Maize Production in Sudan Savanna Alfisolof Nigeria

“…Leguminous trees that are nitrogen fixing trees are known to play complementary or alternative role as source of organic fertilizer and have the potential to sustain soil fertility (Giller, 2001;Snapp et al, 2003;Adjei-Nsiah et al, 2004). Understanding decomposition and nutrient release or nitrogen mineralisation patterns of plant materials is an important first step to better managing organic inputs that are applied in agroforestry and other related land-use systems (Palm, 1995;Mafongoya et al, 1998).…”

Action research on alternative land tenure arrangements in Wenchi, Ghana: learning from ambiguous social dynamics and self-organized institutional innovation

“…In an earlier study (Adjei-Nsiah et al 2004), we also found an association between tenure insecurity among migrant farmers especially and limited attention for regeneration of soil fertility. We showed that in Wenchi only native farmers could own land and therefore have secure tenure.…”

“…As mentioned in the introduction, Bonos tend to accuse Walas of degrading the soil on land rented out to them, while Walas claim that the high rents and advance payments demanded by Bonos prevent them from hiring land for longer periods and leave them no choice but to exploit the land to recoup the money invested. In addition, they complain that landowners will not allow them to reap the benefits of investments made in soil fertility on land that is rented for shorter periods (Adjei-Nsiah et al 2004). Also in other areas tensions have risen between natives and Walas.…”

“…On the bases of the initial findings presented above, we concluded that our action research efforts should not remain only in the sphere of developing better technologies and management practices together with farmers. In order to deal with the social dilemmas and complexities around land tenure, we decided to work on the social realm as well, and engage in the joint design of institutions through negotiation of, and experimentation with, new kinds of contractual and/or land tenure arrangements (Adjei-Nsiah et al 2004). This idea of working on institutional arrangements is in line with recent insights in innovation studies which suggest that social conditions needed for the uptake of technology should be regarded as an integral component of an innovation, and not as an ''external'' factor influencing adoption of innovations (as e.g., in Rogers 1983).…”