Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species (NUCS) and Household Food Security in Central Ghana

Abstract

The gradual erosion of indigenous crop varieties and its negative effect on agrobiodiversity, agricultural systems and food security remains a major challenge globally. In Ghana, agricultural systems now emphasize on the cultivation of selected high yielding crops to the neglect and subsequent marginalization of indigenous food crop varieties and plant species, for reasons that have not attracted much research attention. This study therefore sought to profile the varieties and uses of neglected and underutilized crop species (NUCS) and plant species in the Upper Afram and Upper Dayi basins of the middle belt of Ghana and examine the factors influencing their erosion and marginalization, as well as, the possible implications for household food security at the local level. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to explain the experiences of about 271 respondents in relation to the eroded and marginalized food crop varieties and the constraints hindering their cultivation and use. Climatic data and satellite imagery analysis were used to determine longitudinal changes in climatic and land use and land cover over time respectively, and how these may have affected the erosion of these crop varieties. The data were analyzed qualitatively based on the themes emanating from the interviews and quantitatively using descriptive statistics and results presented in the form of percentages, frequencies and tables. Findings of the study confirmed the neglect and marginalization of a variety of the indigenous food crops in the middle belt of Ghana, though a total of 112 of such neglected and underutilized crop varieties (belonging to the food crop categories: cereals, legumes, vegetables, roots and tubers, tree crops, and fruits) were identified and very rare. Factors responsible for the erosion include indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals, climate variability and environmental change particularly forest cover. The study further revealed that socio-economic factors namely market demand and dietary habits have also contributed immensely to the marginalization of these crops. These notwithstanding, certain traditional practices and customary rites have helped in the preservation of some of these indigenous food varieties whose cultivation still dominate certain areas. The findings concluded that the erosion and marginalization of these food varieties among the rural communities may be responsible for the current food insecurity in the study communities compared to the past. These findings create the need for a review of the policy strategies of the country as outlined in the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II) to integrate NUCS especially given their known contribution to the attainment of food security among rural households. Finally, the study recommends the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) such as the Local Government, Ministry of Tourism, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Culture, among others, to institute regular indigenous food fairs at the local (village), district and regional levels, to promote local dishes which are prepared with these neglected and underutilized crop varieties.