The Synergies And Tradeoffs That Exist Between Cashew Production And Food Security In The Bono And Bono East Regions Of Ghana
Date
2022-12
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University Of Ghana
Abstract
Over the last decade, the Bono, Bono East regions, affectionately referred to as Ghana’s breadbaskets due to their contribution to food crop production, are gradually shifting into cashew nut production by the majority of farmers. This is concerning because it poses a threat to farmers' food security by reducing the output of food crops. Some school of thought argue that, the income generated from the sale of cashew nuts can be used by farmers to purchase food in the local market and undertake crop diversification. However, there isn’t much research to prove this assertion. Hence, the need to analyse the tradeoffs and synergies that exists between cashew production and food security. A mixed methods approach was employed to assess synergies and tradeoffs that exist between cashew production and food security. This was achieved through the following specific objectives i) analysis of how food crops produced by cashew farmers contribute to food security based on availability, accessibility, utilization and stability ii) analysis of the determinants of food security as well as strategies developed by the farmers to reduce their vulnerability and lastly, examining the tradeoffs and synergies between cashew production and food security. The study was conducted in the Bono and Bono east regions using 240 cashew farmers identified through multistage sampling. Months of adequate household food provisioning (MAHFP) was used in analyzing availability, Household Food Insecurity Scale (HFIAS) was used to analyse accessibility, Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), Women Dietary Diversity Score and Child Dietary Diversity Score were also used to assess utilization. Stability was measured using the perception of the seasonality of food items in the household and market with respect to market price, crop failure, drought etc. Analysis for the study was conducted using STATA 14. The Tobit regression model was used to assess the determinants of food security while the Structural Equation Model was used to analyze the tradeoffs and synergies that exists between cashew production and food security. According to the findings of the study, farmers had food available for 10 months out of the entire year. This means that cashew farmers do not have enough food at certain times of the year. This situation mostly occurs during May – July which is considered as the lean season. Results of food accessibility also showed a mean of 2.96 out of 27. Results of food utilization showed that farmers consumed about 9 food groups out of the 12 food groups assessed. Results of cashew farmer’s food stability shows that farmers are strongly affected by changes in food prices, drought and crop failure. Prominent factors that affect food security include age, household size, household expenditure, education, income and access to markets. In analyzing the tradeoffs and the synergies that exists between cashew production and food security, the study identified the tradeoffs involve the negative relationship between income and food security as well as the negative relationship that exists between food accessibility and food security. Some synergies identified include the positive relationship between cashew production and income and food availability and food security. The study therefore, recommends that the crops division of the ministry of food and agriculture should engage in sensitization and awareness programs to encourage cashew farmers to increase crop production to make more food available for the household. Also, MoFA should support the diversification of crops on the farm to improve the nutritional diet of farmers as well as engage in the development of alternative sources of income. Furthermore, the ministry of food and agriculture should educate cashew farmers on the effect of some determinants of food security such as the importance of family planning as well as the need for farmers to have a higher form of education to improve their living conditions.
Description
MPhil. Agribusiness
Keywords
Bono East Regions, Ghana, Cashew Production, Tradeoffs, Synergies