LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND FOOD CROP PRODUCTION BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN THE NANDOM DISTRICT OF THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The study looks at land management practices and food cop production by smallholder farmers in the Nandom District of the Upper West Region of Ghana. The main objective of the study is to investigate land management practices by smallholder farmers, with regard to food crop production. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative methodology to source for information regarding land management practices in the study area. In-depth Focus Groups Discussions and key informants interviews were conducted in the selected study communities. The study adopted systematic sampling technique to sample out 182 respondents. The study revealed that crop rotation, non-burning of crop residues, inter-cropping, stone/earth bunding, manure, agroforestry, chemical fertilizer, compost, grass strip and tie-ridges are the major land management practices adopted by smallholder farmers in the study area. However, annual bush burning, indiscriminate felling of trees for fuel wood and charcoal still remain the major challenges to the study area. The study therefore recommended that Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other development partners should continuously build the capacity of smallholder farmers and expand the concept of the Lead Farmers or Community Monitors to cover many more communities in the District, introduce and encourage many farmers to cultivate soybeans which has high nutritional value and ability to improve soil fertility. Farmers should also engage in natural regeneration of the environment and community chiefs and elders should enforce by-laws to protect the environment.