ASSESSMENT OF SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL AVAILABILITY AND QUANTITIES OF ORGANIC RESIDUES IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS OF NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the spatial and temporal quantities of organic residues in the Tamale Metropolis. Stratified sampling technique was used to divide the Metropolis into four zones: Jisonayili, Vittin, Kalpohin, and Nyohini. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 90 people in the zones who generate organic residues and interviewed using administered semi-structured questionnaires. Data was gathered from the respondents as well as by weighing and recording the organic residues they generate. The data was analyzed using using Microsoft Excel and Genstat statistical packages and the results were interpreted using descriptive statistics and presented in the form of tables, histograms and pie-charts. The findings show that the total amount of organic residues produced in all the four zones in the Metropolis was 4932.2 tons yr-1. An analysis of the results indicates that the zones significantly differed (p < 0.05) in the quantities organic residues produced, with Jisonayili producing the largest quantities of the residues (2937.3 tons yr-1), followed by Nyohini (914.4 tons yr-1), with Kalpohin producing the least (269.7 tons yr-1). Costs incurred in obtaining organic residues also differed significantly (p < 0.05), with the cost of buying the organic residues being the highest (Gh₵ 1317.50 ton-1), followed by packing cost (Gh₵ 799.00 ton-1), with cost of transport (Gh₵ 151.50 ton-1) being the lowest. Further analysis shows that the uses differed significantly (p < 0.05), with the crop residues used as animal feed having the highest percentage (96.6 %) of the respondents, followed by residues used for domestic fuel (95.6 %). Organic residues used for the generation of electric power through the production of biogas was mentioned by the least percentage of respondents (26.7 %). Spatial and temporal availability of organic residues differed significantly (p < 0.05), with the September-November period (ranked first) mentioned by 53.3 % of the respondents as the period in which organic residues in the Metropolis are mostly available. This was followed by the December-February period (ranked second) which was mentioned by 32.2 % of the respondents as the period of availability of organic residues. The least likely period of availability of organic residues in the Metropolis was identified by 14.4 % of the respondents being ‘throughout the year’. Constraints related to availability, processing, management and utilization of organic residues differed significantly (p < 0.05), with transportation of crop residues from crop residue processing centres and food selling points to the house being the most pressing constraint (41.0 %). This was followed by difficulty in getting some crop residues because of lack of adequate quantities of crops for processing into residues (19 %). Infestation of crop residues by insects and pests (2.0 %) was the least ranked constraint by the respondents. On the basis of the findings of this research, it is recommended that the Ghana Government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, should organize workshops and skills training programmes for the people in the Metropolis on the treatment and use of crop residues in making compost for increasing the soil fertility. This will not only help reduce the costs of improving the fertility of the soil as well as increase yields of crops but will also increase the knowledge and interest of the people in agriculture as well as crop residue management.