THE ROLE OF FARMER-BASED ORGANISATIONS IN FOOD PRODUCTION IN NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA AWUDU SIKPARU KARIMTHE ROLE OF FARMER-BASED ORGANISATIONS IN FOOD PRODUCTION IN NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Farmer-based organisation hold promise for moving Ghana’s agricultural sector forward in the area of improving agricultural output and employment but the sector is not vibrant as expected (Asibey-Bonsu, 2012:26-27). There is a wide use of the FBO concept but there is very little information on their economic significance to the overall economy. Government and development partners have given much support to FBOs development but their contributions to food production still below expectation. This research analysed the role of farmerbased organisations in food production in the Northern Region of Ghana by focusing on FBOs contribution to food production, the effects of FBOs on the natural environment and the challenges they faced. The study employed explanatory sequential mixed methods, which informed the data collection process in the form of questionnaires and interviews from a random sample of 210 FBOs and analysed with the use of descriptive statistics. The findings showed that farmer-based organisations contributed to increase in food production. However, there is negative effects of FBOs activities on natural environment and no preventive measures are in place to protect the environment. In order to improve FBOs performance there is the need for Government to create enabling environment that facilitates smooth operation of FBOs as business entities. Finally, Ministry of Food Agriculture should help educate FBOs on the use and disposal of chemical substances to reduce their hazards on individuals and the natural environment.