Main Article Content
Abstract
This study sought to assess the impact of adoption of the YieldWise model on postharvest loss reduction and livelihood of smallholder maize farmers in the Wa Municipality using an established crop aggregation center, Antika for a case study. The study employed random and purposive sampling techniques to sample 140 smallholder maize farmers and 10 Antika crop aggregation center managers in the Wa Municipality. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from the selected sample population. The findings revealed that the timelines of input supply, ready market, access to extension service, availability of recommended inputs, and training on post-harvest loss reduction are factors influencing the adoption of the YieldWise model by smallholder farmers in the Wa Municipality. The availability of recommended inputs was the main influencing factor, followed by access to extension service, while ready market was the least. The introduction of the YieldWise model had an impact on the harvesting and postharvest loss reduction among smallholder maize farmers in the selected study area. The adoption of the model contributed to a reduction in harvesting losses by an average of 46.24 kg/ha (25.66 %), reduction in shelling and threshing losses by 28.11 kg/ha (19.74 %), reduction in storage losses 12.85 kg/ha (54.99 %), whereas transportation losses remained almost same; thus, 0.62 kg/ha and 0.68 kg/ha for Antika and non-Antika farmers respectively. The study revealed that, the adoption of the YieldWise model by Antika for it business operation has contributed to the improvement of the livelihood of smallholder maize farmers in the Wa Municipality. Many farmers (30.4 %) could secure food for their families throughout the year, 26.5 % could pay for their children’s school fees, 17.1 % of the farmers have been able to purchase a motorcycle or tricycle, 11.1 % of the farmers have been able to expand their main occupation, 10.6% have built new houses, and 4.3 % have been able to marry. The study recommends that a ready market is incorporated into the YieldWise model to help farmers market their produce promptly. The model should also consider transportation assistance to smallholder farmers to reduce transportation losses.
Keywords
Article Details
References
- Akowuah, J. O., Mensah, L. D., Chan, C., and Roskilly, A. (2015). Effects of practices of maize farmers and traders in Ghana on contamination of maize by aflatoxins: Case study of Ejura-Sekyeredumase Municipality. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 9(25), pp. 1658-1666. https://doi.org/10.5897/AMRJ2014.7293
- Durrheim, K., and Painter, D. (2006). Collecting quantitative data: Sampling and measuring. Research in Practice: Applied Methods for the Social Sciences, 2, pp. 131-159.
- Kanyiri, I. (2019). Antika Company Limited, the solution to the cry of farmers in the Upper West Region and beyond. Available at: https://harmattangh.com/Antika-companylimited-the-solution-to-the-cry-of-farmers-in-the-upperwest-region-and-beyond/ (Retrieved: 05 May 2020)
- MoFA (Ministry of Food and Agriculture). (2011). Agriculture in Ghana: facts and figures (2010). [s.l.]: Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Statistics, Research and Information Directorate. Available at: http://gis4agricgh.net/POLICIES/AGRICULTURE-IN-GHANA-FF-2010.pdf (Retrieved: 11 Jan 2021)
- MoFA (Ministry of Food and Agriculture). (2020). Annual crop estimates. Statistics, Research, and Information Directorate. Accra: MoFA. Available at: http://mofa.gov.gh/site/directorates/line-directorate/statistics-research-information (Retrieved January 3, 2021).
- Obeng, H. B., Erbyn, K. G. and Asante, E. O. (1990). Fertilizer requirements and use in Ghana. Consultancy Report submitted to Government of Ghana by Tropical Agricultural Development Consultancy.
- Opit, G.P., Campbell, J., Arthur, F., Armstrong, P., Osekre, E., Washburn, S., Baban, O., McNeill, S., Mbata, G., Ayobami, I. and Reddy, P.V. (2014). Assessment of maize postharvest losses in the Middle Belt of Ghana. In Proceedings of the 11th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection (pp. 24-28). https://doi.org/10.14455/DOA.res.2014.134
- Sugri, I., Abubakari, M., Owusu, R. K., and Bidzakin, J. K. (2021). Postharvest losses and mitigating technologies: evidence from upper East Region of Ghana. Sustainable Futures, 3, 100048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2021.100048
- The Rockefeller Foundation. (2015). Perspectives to reducing post-harvest losses of agricultural products in Africa. Available at: https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Events/DakAgri2015/Agriculture_Industrialization_and_post-harvest_losses.pdf. (Retrieved October 15, 2021)
- Yahaya, A. K., Anafo, K., and Mashud, M. (2012). Potable water supply and its implication on household productivity in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. Civil and Environmental Research, 2(10), pp. 1-10.
References
Akowuah, J. O., Mensah, L. D., Chan, C., and Roskilly, A. (2015). Effects of practices of maize farmers and traders in Ghana on contamination of maize by aflatoxins: Case study of Ejura-Sekyeredumase Municipality. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 9(25), pp. 1658-1666. https://doi.org/10.5897/AMRJ2014.7293
Durrheim, K., and Painter, D. (2006). Collecting quantitative data: Sampling and measuring. Research in Practice: Applied Methods for the Social Sciences, 2, pp. 131-159.
Kanyiri, I. (2019). Antika Company Limited, the solution to the cry of farmers in the Upper West Region and beyond. Available at: https://harmattangh.com/Antika-companylimited-the-solution-to-the-cry-of-farmers-in-the-upperwest-region-and-beyond/ (Retrieved: 05 May 2020)
MoFA (Ministry of Food and Agriculture). (2011). Agriculture in Ghana: facts and figures (2010). [s.l.]: Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Statistics, Research and Information Directorate. Available at: http://gis4agricgh.net/POLICIES/AGRICULTURE-IN-GHANA-FF-2010.pdf (Retrieved: 11 Jan 2021)
MoFA (Ministry of Food and Agriculture). (2020). Annual crop estimates. Statistics, Research, and Information Directorate. Accra: MoFA. Available at: http://mofa.gov.gh/site/directorates/line-directorate/statistics-research-information (Retrieved January 3, 2021).
Obeng, H. B., Erbyn, K. G. and Asante, E. O. (1990). Fertilizer requirements and use in Ghana. Consultancy Report submitted to Government of Ghana by Tropical Agricultural Development Consultancy.
Opit, G.P., Campbell, J., Arthur, F., Armstrong, P., Osekre, E., Washburn, S., Baban, O., McNeill, S., Mbata, G., Ayobami, I. and Reddy, P.V. (2014). Assessment of maize postharvest losses in the Middle Belt of Ghana. In Proceedings of the 11th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection (pp. 24-28). https://doi.org/10.14455/DOA.res.2014.134
Sugri, I., Abubakari, M., Owusu, R. K., and Bidzakin, J. K. (2021). Postharvest losses and mitigating technologies: evidence from upper East Region of Ghana. Sustainable Futures, 3, 100048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2021.100048
The Rockefeller Foundation. (2015). Perspectives to reducing post-harvest losses of agricultural products in Africa. Available at: https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Events/DakAgri2015/Agriculture_Industrialization_and_post-harvest_losses.pdf. (Retrieved October 15, 2021)
Yahaya, A. K., Anafo, K., and Mashud, M. (2012). Potable water supply and its implication on household productivity in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. Civil and Environmental Research, 2(10), pp. 1-10.
