Sustainability of Maize-Based Cropping Systems in Northern Ghana

Abstract

This study was carried out in Northern Ghana with the objective of assessing the sustainability1 of five maize-based cropping systems in the area. The cropping systems are maize-cowpea rotation, maize-cowpea relay intercropping, maize-cowpea mixed intercropping,sole maize continuously cropped and maize-sorghum-groundnuts mixed intercropping. The study also sought to establish any variability in the cropping systems of Northern Ghana, strategies adopted by farmers to increase crop yield as well as the cost-effectiveness of the strategies adopted. To achieve the objectives above information on existing cropping systems was obtained through a structured questionnaire interview with 60 farmers selected from 6 villages (Kpongu and Sing in the Upper West region, Wiaga and Dullugu in the Upper East region and Woribogu and Cheshegu in the Northern region). Data on crop yields and quantities of inputs were obtained from records of the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) while prices of inputs and crop products were obtained from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Department's statistics. Existing cropping systems were compared to those found in the literature to establish the variability of cropping systems in the study area. Strategies adopted by farmers to increase crop yield were also established from the structured interviews. Partial budget anaysis was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of strategies adopted by farmers to increase crop yields while Total Factor Productivity (TFP) indices were calculated to assess the long run sustainability of the cropping systems under consideration. Results of the study indicate that cropping systems in Northern Ghana van' across locations. The results also reveal that strategies adopted by farmers to increase crop yields are cost-effective in the short run. However, in the long run three out of the five cropping systems under study are not sustainable when natural resource flows (the level of soil nitrogen) are considered. Without considering natural resource flows, none of the systems was found to be sustainable. In order to achieve sustainable crop production, bullock traction should be used for land preparation to reduce labour requirements. There should be appropriate intercropping of cereals and legumes as well as rotation of cereals with legumes. Extension education should be improved mainly through radio broadcast in local languages. Through radio broadcast farmers that cannot be reached during farm or home visits can benefit from extension education.