THE CAUSES OF FLUCTUATING FOOD SUPPLY IN THE UPPER WEST REGION, AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE REGION'S FOOD SECURITY

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the causes of fluctuating food supply in the Upper West Region and its effects on the region's food security. Included in this objective is the level of farming and food production in the region, and their implications for the region's food security. It examined problems as they specifically affect the region and not in the context of the usual northern sector of Ghana as other studies usually do. The study employed the use of both structured and semi-structured questionnaires administered to a household population sampled by the use of multi stage sampling technique. Also some Key informants were purposefully sampled for in-dept interview. The findings were that, although farmers in the region cultivate purposely for household consumption, they sell or exchange some products for non-food household needs. However, food produced or stored does not last for the year. either because, the production level is low and hence enough could not be stored or storage facilities were inadequate. This has serious implications for the region's food security. Many households therefore become food insecure and most of them resort to coping measures such as borrowing from relatives and friends, buying food 011 credit. reduction in the size and number of meals per day, and travelling to the south to labour to buy food etc. This is because; the people are predominantly small scale farmers, with very limited modern farming practices. Difficulty in accessing credit limits expansion. Also the erratic rainfall patterns, high cost of farm inputs, lack of knowledge in modern farming practices as well as inadequate storage and marketing facilities the farm produce are some constraints to farming in the region. Hence food supply fluctuates in the region because agricultural activities are predominantly small scale with limited modernization. The low educational background of the small scale farmers make technology transfer very difficult, resulting in low production, low income and food insecurity. To forestall these, modern farming systems must be developed. Farm input subsidies, road infrastructure, storage facilities, financial safety nets, operation of food buffer stock etc. are some recommended areas for government investment.