FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY: THE ROLE OF SMALLHOLDER LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN THE NADOWLI DISTRICT

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to investigate the causes of food insecurity attributable to smallholder livestock production systems in the Nadowli District of the Upper West region. To achieve this goal, the study made use of both qualitative (Focus Group Discussions and In-Depth Interviews) and quantitative survey research design (Questionnaire) based on the objectives of the study, The study adopted a multi perspective approach namely; sod° cultural, economic, technological and policy to determining the limitations and challenges of smallholder livestock production systems with respect to food security. The study concludes that the top five overarching challenges to livestock production are farm or livestock production experience/knowledge, seasonality of prices of livestock products, traditional attitudes and perceptions, lack of expertise by smallholder farmers in technology usage and the lack of or inadequate credit facilities available to producers. Based on the expert views the study also concludes that the top five factors that would promote smallholder livestock production include positive change in traditional attitudes and perceptions, availability of water, public expenditure in extension services and training, financial help/access to credit (e.g_ guarantee loan, compensation for lost livestock, etc.) and the integration of livestock production in national agricultural regulation. In general terms, the problem of food insecurity was found to be the outcome of the interactions between socio-economic, technological and policy conditions over a period of time.