Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: The role of...

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

WRJAS

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: The role of enabling policy

E. Owusu Danquah1*, S.A. Ennin1, F. Frimpong1, P. Oteng-Darko1, S. Yeboah1, J. Osei-Adu1

1 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785 Kumasi, Ghana.

This paper presents a comparative evaluation of maize and cowpea grain yields of 24 farmers in the Forest-Savannah Transition (Atebubu-Amantin) and Guinea Savannah (West-Mamprusi) zones of Ghana for 2012 and 2014 respectively at the inception and completion of the sustainable intensification of crop-livestock integration project. While only 7 and 2 farmers planted maize in rows at project inception, 12 and 9 farmers were recorded at project completion in Atebubu–Amantin and West–Mamprusi districts respectively. During 2012 cropping season, when farmers had access to fertilizer in the form of subsidy, only a farmer in each district did not apply fertilizer. However, the reverse was observed in 2014 where there was no subsidy. Comparing 2012 and 2014 cropping season results, revealed a 25% and 27% increase in maize grain yield in Atebubu–Amantin and West–Mamprusi districts respectively. Economic analysis revealed a high benefit cost ratio in maize and cowpea production in 2014 than in 2012 for both locations. The study has demonstrated that, enabling environment that encourages access to tools and implements for row planting and fertilizer in the form of subsidy would complement good agronomic technology packages introduced to farmers in order to ensure sustainable cereal and legume production.

Key words: Yield Gap, Ghana, Food Security, Good Agronomic Practices, Cereal-Legume production, Intensification, Policy. INTRODUCTION Improvement in productivity of cereals and legumes especially maize and legumes would improve farmers’ income and reduce poverty of smallholders (Singh and Ajeigbe 2007; Kassam et al., 2010; Amujoyegbe et al., 2013). This is because maize and cowpea are the main grain crops grown in Sub-Saharan Africa on a broad range of soil fertility and management conditions (Jackai and Adalla 1997; Agbato, 2000; Carsky and Kling, 1995). However, yield variability on a large range has been observed, reflecting the intensity and spatial distribution of growth-limiting and growth-reducing factors (Yangyuoru et al., 2001; Yeboah et al., 2014;

Nyasasi and Kisetu, 2014). The average maize and cowpea grain yield in Ghana is 1.7t/ha and 1.3t/ha respectively against potential grain yields of 6-7t/ha and 2.6t/ha respectively (SRID-MoFA, 2011; GGDP, 1993).

*Corresponding author: Owusu Danquah Eric, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785 Kumasi, Ghana. Email: [email protected], Tel.: +233-242357061, +233- 266197247

World Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2(2), pp. 028-038, November, 2015. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 2326-7266x

Research Article

mailto:[email protected]


Owusu Danquah et al. 028 During the period under review, grain yields per unit area increased and decreased by 6.03% and 0.86% for maize and cowpea respectively. However, area under production of maize and cowpea increased by about 5% and 20% respectively. Thus whiles a percentage increase in area under maize production resulted in about a percentage yield increase, 20% increase in area under cowpea production only resulted in about 1% loss in grain yield (SRID-MoFA, 2011). There is the need for sustaining the yields of maize and cowpea production in the face of climate change. Grain yields of maize and cowpea are mainly low because of poor agronomic practices and poor soil fertility (Yeboah et al., 2014; Kisetu and Mtakimwa, 2013; Yangyuoru et al., 2001). Demonstration of good agricultural practices through Innovation Platform (IP) approach would aid in dissemination to bridge the yield gap (Kassam et al., 2010). This study forms part of a sustainable intensification crop-small ruminant project which aimed at improving agricultural productivity, income, food security and reduce poverty through integrated crop-small ruminant systems of small scale farmers. The study used innovation platform approach in identification of bottlenecks along the cereal/legume-small ruminant value chain. This was done through monitoring and estimation of maize and cowpea yields on farmers’ field. In addition the causes and the needed interventions on yield gaps were assessed during the project period. Thus growth and yield performance of cowpea and maize in 2012 cropping season just at the inception of the project were compared to that of 2014 cropping season right after demonstrating good agronomic practices through the project till 2014, end of the project. This was to track technology adoption and yield performance within the selected communities after inception of the project. This paper presents the impact of the project on grain yields in the communities and recommends gaps for policy intervention to encourage the adoption of good agricultural practices. METHODOLOGY The study was conducted in the Atebubu-Amantin and West Mamprusi districts in the Forest-Savannah Transition and Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zones of Ghana respectively. Atebubu-Amantin has a bimodal rainfall pattern and therefore two cropping seasons in a year whiles West Mamprusi has a unimodal rainfall pattern and therefore only one cropping season in a year. Cropping system, agronomic practices and yield performance were monitored at the beginning of the project (2012) and at the end of the project (2014). In

2012 a baseline study was conducted on farmers’ cropping practices and yields. Farmers were then introduced to good agronomic practices through field demonstrations. Good agronomic practices demonstrated included; row planning, use of fertilizer, use of improved seed varieties and germination test among others. The baseline study on farmers’ field in 2012, informed the above agronomic interventions to address these identified agronomic lapses. The 2014 cropping season data collection focused on monitoring and tracking of farmers’ practices and yield performance after the introduction of the interventions (good agronomic practices). The experimental design used was Randomised Complete Block Design with three replications. Each selected farmer in a location was considered as a treatment. Three plots (10m x 10m) were demarcated randomly on each of the selected farmer’s field. Growth and yield data were then collected from these demarcated areas in both locations. Out of the total selected farmers, the data for farmers who consistently planted in both years (2012 and 2014) were subjected to analysis of variance at 5% significant level for comparison. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Maize yields for the selected farmers in 2012 ranged between 1.06t/ha and 2.48t/ha with an average of 1.70t/ha, whiles the yield for 2014 ranged between 1.65t/ha to 2.88t/ha at an average of 2.27t/ha (Fig. 1a). This implies an increase of 25% in yields from 2012 to 2014. Generally, cowpea grain yields also did increase comparing 2012 to 2014 (Fig. 1b). 2012 had yields ranging between 0.73t/ha and 1.28t/ha with an average of 0.97t/ha whiles that of 2014 ranged between 0.79t/ha and 1.59t/ha with an average of 1.10t/ha (Fig. 1b). This implies an average of 8% yield increase. Maize grain yields in the West-Mamprusi district followed similar trends as in Atebubu-Amantin district. Generally yields increased in 2014 compared to 2012. The yields ranged between 0.66t/ha and 2.61t/ha with an average of 1.46t/ha whiles that of 2014 ranged between 1.16t/ha and 3.05t/ha with an average of 2.00t/ha (Fig. 2a). This implies a productivity increase of about 27% in maize grain yields of farmers at this location. The cowpea yields ranged between 0.62t/ha and 0.83t/ha with an average of 0.75t/ha in year 2012 whiles year 2014 ranged between 0.75t/ha and 1.17t/ha with


World Res. J. Agric. Sci. 029 Table 1. Agro-ecological characteristics of the selected Districts

Adapted from Adu and Asiamah, 1992 & www.westmamprusi.ghanadistricts.gov.gh

Table 1a. Agronomic practices and yield performance of maize measured from farmers’ fields for the major and minor season of 2012 and

2014, Atebubu-Amantin District, Ghana.

Name of farmer/Code

Gender Maize Variety P:C

Farm Size/ha P:C

Fertilizer application (50kg/ha) (NPK/SA) P:C

Method of planting P:C

Plant Stand/m

2

P:C

Major season

A Male Local mix: Obatanpa 2.4:12.8 3.5/2.5:2.5/2 Scattered:Row 5.80:6.1

B Male Obatanpa:Obaatanpa 0.5:0.6 2.5/2.5:nil/nil Scattered:Row 8.60:6.14

C Female Abrohomaa:Obatanpa 0.8:0.6 2.5/2.5:nil/nil Scattered:Row 9.87:6.21

D Male Pan53: Obatanpa 0.5:0.8 2.5/2:nil/nil Row:Row 5.90:6.16

E Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 1.6:1.2 3.75/2.5:nil/nil Row:Row 7.33:6.76

Minor Season

F Male Pan53: Obatanpa 1.6:1.6 2.5/1.5:nil/nil Row:Row 5.47:6.2

G Female Obatanpa: Obatanpa 1:1.2 Nil/2.5:nil/nil Row:Row 8.10:6.42

H Male Local mix: Obatanpa 0.6:4 2.5/2.5:nil/nil Row:Row 8.20:6.4

I Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 1:0.8 2.5/2:nil/nil Row:Row 7.47:6.3

J Female Obatanpa: Obatanpa 0.6:0.8 2.5/2.5:nil/nil Scattered:Row 10.20:6.34

K Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 0.8:1 2.5/2.5:nil/nil Row:Row 7.31:6.12

L Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 1:1.2 2.5/1:nil/nil Scattered:Row 9.87:6.02

Panna 53 and Obatanpa are improved varieties. (P:C; P- Previous 2012: Current – 2014). Scattered Planting: is a method of planting where the seeds are planted haphazardly on the field.

an average of 1.05t/ha. That is an increase in cowpea grain yield of about 29% comparing 2012 to 2014 (Fig. 2b). Generally the benefit cost ratios were higher in 2014 for all the maize fields as compared to 2012. Benefit cost ratio ranged between 0.42 – 5.03: 1 and 1.52 – 7.88: 1 in 2012 and 2014 respectively, suggesting maize production was more profitable in 2014 than 2012. Also,

the benefit cost ratios were higher and similar for farmers who practiced row planting as compared to those who used scattered planting in both years. This implies row planting is more profitable than scattered planting in maize production (Table 3a). Similar trends were observed in the cowpea production and benefits cost ratio ranged between 1.92 – 4.12: 1 and 2.16 – 5.12: 1

Characteristics

Location

Atebubu-Amantin District (7.6333° N, 1.0667° W)

West Mamprusi District ( 10.3520° N, 0.7990° W)

Agro-ecological zone Forest-Savannah Transition Guinea Savannah

Soil description

Sandy loams to clayey loams, and are mostly poorly drained

Soils of alluvial origin (Savannah glycols). Deep and well suitable for wide range of crop cultivation

Temperature (Min-Max.

oC )

2012-2014

21-34 28 -39

Wet season Bimodal rainfall pattern Unimodal rainfall pattern

Major March –mid August Late April -- mid August

Minor Sept-Nov; peak in Oct ----

Total annual rainfall (mm)

2012 (1028) 2014 (1226 ) 2012 (1114 ) 2014 (1210)

http://www.westmamprusi.ghanadistricts.gov.gh/


Owusu Danquah et al. 030

Figure 1a. Grain yield performance of maize measured from farmers’ fields for the major and minor season of 2012 and 2014, Atebubu-Amantin District Ghana.

Table 1b. Agronomic practices of cowpea measured from farmers’ field for the major and minor season of 2012 and 2014, Atebubu-Amantin District Ghana.

NB: Padituya- dual purpose variety whiles others are local. Scattered Planting: is a method of planting where the seeds are planted haphazardly on the field. Broadcasting: method of planting where seeds are spread on field by throwing on the field and ploughed or harrowed over as a cover

in 2012 and 2014 respectively (Table 3b). Similarly, high and low benefit cost ratios were recorded for farmers who used scattered planting method and broadcasting planting method respectively in 2012 and 2014. Thus, though not the best method of planting,

Scattering is more profitable than broadcasting for cowpea production (Table 3b). The benefit cost ratio for maize production ranged between 0.05 – 1.88:1 and 2.40 – 7.94:1 for 2012 and 2014 respectively, showing a significant increase in

Farmer Code

Gender Variety P:C

Planting Method P:C

Plant Stand/ m

2

P:C

Farm size /Ha P:C

Number of times sprayed P:C

Major season

A Male Nhyira: Alan Cash Broadcasting: Scattered 15.17:19.13 15:20 5:4

B Female Alan cash: Padituya Broadcasting: Scattered 12.49: 10.13

1.2:0.8 4:3

C Male Alan cash: Alan cash

Broadcasting: Broadcasting

11.3: 16.12 1.0:1.0 4:3

Minor season

D Female Alan cash: Alan cash


14.34: 10.34

0.8:1 6:3

E Female Alan cash: Alan cash


12.80:15.4 1:1.2 6:4

F Female Alan cash: Padituya Broadcasting: Broadcasting

12.21:14.10 1.2:0.8 2:3


World Res. J. Agric. Sci. 031

Figure 1b. Grain yield performance of cowpea measured from farmers’ fields for the major and minor season of 2012 and 2014, Atebubu-Amantin District Ghana.

Table 2a. Agronomic practices of maize measured from farmers’ fields for the 2012 and 2014 Cropping season, Wungu and Wulugu, West Mamprusi of Ghana.

Farmer/ Code

Gender Maize Variety P:C

Farm Size/ha P:C

Fertilizer application (50kg/ha) (NPK/SA) P:C

Method of Planting P:C

Plant Stand/m

2

P:C

A Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 0.4: 0.5 Nil/nil:nil/nil Scattered: Row 9.76: 5.12

B Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 0.4 : 0.6 2.5/2.5:nil/nil Scattered: Row 8.67: 5.54

C Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 1.2 : 0.4 2.5/1.25:nil/nil Scattered: Row 7.92: 6.12

D Female Obatanpa: Obatanpa 0.4: 0.5 2.5/2.5:nil/nil Scattered: Row 8.05: 5.23

E Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 0.8 :1.2 5/2.5:nil/nil Row: Row 6.02: 5.91

F Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 0.6: 0.4 3.75/2.5:nil/nil Scattered: Row 6.40: 6.10

G Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 1.2: 1 2.5/2.5:nil/nil Scattered: Row 6.76: 5.95

H Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 1.6: 1.2 5/2.5:nil/nil Row: Row 5.79: 6.08

I Female Obatanpa: Obatanpa 0.6:0.8 5/2.5:nil/nil Scattered: Scattered 6.61:8.02

J Male Obatanpa: Obatanpa 1:0.8 5/2.5:nil/nil Scattered: Row 8.13:6.03

P-Previous (2012) C-Current (2014); Obatanpa is improved maize variety (NB: West Mamprusi has one growing season in a year). Scattered Planting: is a method of planting where the seeds are planted haphazardly on the field. Broadcasting: method of planting where seeds are spread on field by throwing on the field and ploughed or harrowed over as a cover

benefit cost ratio between the years for maize production. Benefit cost ratio were generally higher for row planting than scattered planting in both years. Thus maize production was profitable using row planting than using scattering in 2012 and 2014 (Table 4a). The

benefit cost ratio of cowpea production also increased from 1.07 – 2.50:1 in 2012 to 2.30 – 3.13:1 in 2014. Farmers who used scattered planting method; though not the recommended planting method had higher benefit cost ratio than farmers who used broadcasting


Owusu Danquah et al. 032

Figure 2a. Grain yield performance of maize measured from farmers’ fields for the 2012 and 2014 Cropping season, Wungu and Wulugu, West Mamprusi of Ghana

Table 2b. Agronomic practices of cowpea observed from farmers’ fields for the 2014 Cropping season, Wungu and Wulugu, West Mamprusi of Ghana.

Farmers Code

Gender Variety P:C

Planting Method P:C

Plant Stand/ m

2

P:C

Farm size/ Ha P:C

Number of times sprayed P:C

A Female local: Apa-abala Scattered : Scattered 10.75: 14.1 0.4:0.8 Nil: 2

B Male Apa-abala:Apa-abala

Scattered : Scattered 12.45:10.21 0.5:0.6 Nil: 4

C Male Apa-abala:Apa-abala

Broadcasting: Scattered

19.53:11.56 1:0.4 6:3

D Male Local:Apa-abala Broadcasting: Broadcasting

20.26:18.19 0.8:1 Nil:Nil

E Female Apa-abala: Apa-abala

Broadcasting: Scattered

11.21:19.45 0.8:0.4 1:2

Apa-abala is an improved dual purpose cowpea variety from SARI. P- Previous (2012) C- Current (2014) (NB: West-Mamprusi has only one growing season in a year). Scattered Planting: is a method of planting where the seeds are planted haphazardly on the field. Whiles in broadcasting the seeds are spread on the field by throwing and covered with a plough

method of planting in both years (Table 4b). Thus it is more profitable to use scattered planting method than to use broadcasting in cowpea production. The average increases in maize grain yield from 1.70t/ha and 1.46 t/ha in 2012 to 2.27t/ha and 2t/ha (25% and 27%) in 2014 for Atebubu-Amantin and West-Mamprusi districts respectively could be attributed to

the general change from scattering to row planting (Table 1a, 2a, Fig. 1a and 2a). It can be observed that farmers who changed from scattered method of planting in 2012 to row planting method in 2014 had a sharp and significant increase in yields (Table 1a and Fig. 1a). The situation in Atebubu-Amantin was similar to that of West Mamprusi district. Most of the farmers changed from scattered planting of maize to row planting



Figure 2b. Grain yield performance of cowpea measured from farmers’ fields for the 2014 Cropping season, Wungu and Wulugu, West Mamprusi of Ghana.

method, which might have played a key role in the yield increases from 1.46t/ha to 2t/ha (Table 2a and Fig. 2a). Only a farmer in each district applied fertilizer during the 2014 cropping season. In an interview, farmers stated that during the 2014 cropping season, they had no subsidy on fertilizers. Hence, only a farmer in each district applied fertilizer to their crops compared to 2012 where farmers had subsidy, almost all the farmers applied fertilizer on their fields (Table 1a and 2a). Row and scattered planting resulted in number of plants per stand range of 5-10 plt/m

2, 5-7 plt/m

2 and grain yield

range of 1.06 – 1.8t/ha and 1.65 – 2.9t/ha respectively in both years at the Atebubu-Amantin district (Table 1a and Fig. 1a). This corresponds to an average benefit cost ratio of 4.34:1 and 1.09:1 for using row and scattered planting in maize production for both years in the Atebubu-Amantin district (Table 3a). Thus if a farmer invested Gh₵ 1.00 in maize production and used row planting, an average profit of Gh₵ 3.34 would be accrued in addition to the Gh₵ 1.00 invested capital whiles an investment of Gh₵ 1.00 in maize production using scattered planting would accrue only Gh₵ 0.09 in addition to the Gh₵ 1:00 invested capital (Table 3a). In West-Mamprusi, row and scattered planting of maize resulted in number of plants per meter square ranging 6-9plt/m

2, 5-6plt/m

2 and grain yield range of 0.66-

2.61t/ha, 1.16-3.05t/ha respectively in both years (Table 2a and Fig. 2a). The economic analysis revealed an average benefit cost ratio of 1.31: 1 and 4.22: 1 for

scattered and row planting respectively for both years (Table 4a). Thus in West-Mamprusi, an investment of Gh₵ 1.00 in maize production using row planting would lead to a profit of Gh₵ 3.22 in addition to the Gh₵ 1:00 invested capital. If scattered planting is used a small profit of Gh₵ 0.31 would be obtained in addition to the Gh₵ 1:00 invested capital. The significantly high grain yield and benefit cost ratio for row planting as compared to scattered planting might be attributed to the number of stand per meter square which approached the recommended 6 plants per meter square at planting distance of 80cm X 40cm (GGDP, 1993). With scattered planting the plants per unit area are higher or lower leading to competition or underutilization of soil nutrients by the plants respectively, resulting in low biomass and grain yields. Cowpea grain yield did increase from 0.97t/ha and 0.75t/ha in 2012 to 1.1t/ha and 1.05t/ha (8% and 29%) in 2014 for Atebubu-Amantin and West mamprusi districts respectively. It can be observed that an increase of 8% in Atebubu-Amantin district in cowpea yield is small and insignificant. This might be due to the variety (Allan Cash) and the broadcasting method of planting. Even, those who decided to change from broadcasting used scattered instead of the recommended row planting method. The use of scattering and broadcasting resulted in 1.44t/ha: 0.95t/ha and 0.93t/ha: 0.75t/ha of grain yields in the


Owusu Danquah et al. 034 Table 3a. Partial budget and cost benefit analysis of maize production in the Atebubu-Amantin District of Ghana for year 2012 and 2014

Farmer Code Farmer A Farmer B Farmer C Farmer D Farmer E Farmer F Farmer G Farmer H Famer I Farmer J Farmer K Farmer L

Cropping year 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014

Average yields(kg/ha) 1070 2180 1410 1910 1060 1950 1320 1650 1560 1850 2310 2410 1930 2330 1990 2350 2480 2720 1800 2880 2190 2430 1580 2630

Adjusted yield* 963 1962 1269 1719 954 1755 1188 1485 1404 1665 2079 2169 1737 2097 1791 2115 2232 2448 1620 2592 1971 2187 1422 2367

Gross benefit(₵/ha) 770 2,158 1,015 1,891 763 1,931 950 1,634

1,123 1,832 1,663 2,386 1,390 2,307 1,433 2,327 1,786 2,693 1,296 2,851 1576.8 2405.7 1137.6 2603.7

Cost of chemical fertilizer(₵) 288.5 435 237.5 0 237.5 0 215.5 0 301.25 0 193.5 0 46.5 0 237.5 0 215.5 0 237.5 0 237.5 0 171.5 0

Labour cost for application of Fert.(₵/ha) 65 100 60 0 60 0 60 0 70 0 30 0 15 0 60 0 60 0 40 0 60 0 30 0

Cost of land clearing & Plouging(₵/ha) 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60

Cost of seed (₵/ha) 20 56.25 20 56.25 45 56.25 55 56.25 45 56.25 55 56.25 45 56.25 20 56.25 45 56.25 45 56.25 45 56.25 45 56.25

Labour cost of planting(₵/ha) 25 50 25 50 25 50 37.5 50 37.5 50 37.5 50 37.5 50 37.5 50 37.5 50 25 50 37.5 50 37.5 50

Cost of weeding 2 times(₵/ha) 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75

Harvesting cost(₵/ha) 55 80 55 80 55 80 55 80 55 80 55 80 55 80 55 80 55 80 55 80 55 80 55 80

Total cost that vary 544 856 488 321 513 321 513 321 599 321 461 321 289 321 500 321 503 321 493 321 525 321 429 321

Net benefit 227 1,302 528 1,570 251 1,609 437 1,312 524 1,510 1,202 2,065 1,101 1,985 933 2,005 1,283 2,372 804 2,530 1,052 2,084 709 2,282

Benefit cost/Ratio 0.42 1.52 1.08 4.89 0.49 5.01 0.85 4.08 0.88 4.70 2.61 6.43 3.81 6.18 1.87 6.24 2.55 7.38 1.63 7.88 2.00 6.49 1.65 7.10

NB:* Average yield adjusted 10%; Farm gate price per kg of maize in 2012 and 2014 =Gh₵ 0.80 and Gh₵ 1.10 respectively. Farmers A, B, C, J and L used scattered planting in 2012 whiles the rest used row planting. All the farmers used row planting in 2014.

Average benefit cost ratio of Row and Scattered planting for both years were 1.09: 1.00 and 4.34: 1.00 respectively



Table 3b. Partial budget and cost benefit analysis of cowpea production in the Atebubu-Amantin District of Ghana for year 2012 and 2014

Farmer Code Farmer A Farmer B Farmer C Farmer D Farmer E Farmer F

Cropping year 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014

Average yields(kg/ha) 1280 1590 1060 1290 920 1000 730 790 920 890 920 1030

Adjusted yield* 1152 1431 954 1161 828 900 657 711 828 801 828 927

Gross benefit(₵/ha) 2,189 3,864 1,813 3,135 1,573 2,430 1,248 1,920 1,573 2,163 1,573 2,503

Cost of land clearing & Plouging(₵/ha) 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60 40 60

Cost of seed (₵/ha) 67.5 45 67.5 45 67.5 67.5 67.5 67.5 67.5 67.5 67.5 67.5

Labour cost of planting(₵/ha) 30 87.5 30 87.5 30 50 30 50 30 50 30 50

Cost of weeding 2 times(₵/ha) 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75

cost for chemical spraying 2 times (₵/ha) 40 75 40 75 40 75 40 75 40 75 40 75

Labour cost of Spraying (₵/ha) 50 80 50 80 50 80 50 80 50 80 50 80

Harvesting and processing cost(₵/ha) 150 200 150 200 150 200 150 200 150 200 150 200

Total cost that vary 428 623 428 623 428 608 428 608 428 608 428 608

Net benefit 1,761 3,241 1,385 2,512 1,146 1,823 821 1,312 1,146 1,555 1,146 1,895

Benefit cost/Ratio 4.12 5.21 3.24 4.04 2.68 3 1.92 2.16 2.68 2.56 2.68 3.12

NB:* Average yield adjusted 10%; Farm gate price per kg of cowpea in 2012 and 2014 = Gh₵1.90 and Gh₵2.70 respectively. All the farmers practised broadcasting in 2012 while’s farmers A and B

changed to scattered planting in 2014. Average benefit cost ratio of scattered and broadcasting planting for both years were 4.63: 1.00 and 2.82: 1.00 respectively.

Table 4a. Partial budget and cost benefit analysis of maize production in the West-Mamprusi District of Ghana for year 2012 and 2014

Farmer Code Farmer A Farmer B Farmer C Farmer D Farmer E Farmer F Farmer G Farmer H Famer I Farmer J

Cropping year 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014

Average yields(kg/ha) 660 1160 780 1350 960 1490 890 1250 2270 2480 2610 3050 1750 2590 1750 2590 1750 1710 1350 2210

Adjusted yield* 594 1044 702 1215 864 1341 801 1125 2043 2232 2349 2745 1575 2331 1575 2331 1575 1539 1215 1989

Gross benefit(₵/ha) 416 1,023 491 1,191 605 1,314 561 1,103 1,430 2,187 1,644 2,690 1,103 2,284 1,103 2,284 1,103 1,508 851 1,949

Cost of chemical fertilizer(₵) 0 0 237.5 0 182.5 0 237.5 0 365 0 301.25 0 237.5 0 365 0 365 0 365 0


Owusu Danquah et al. 036 Table 4a. Cont.

Labour cost for application of Fert.(₵/ha) 0 0 55 0 30 0 55 0 70 0 60 0 55 0 60 0 60 0 60 0

Cost of land clearing & Plouging(₵/ha) 35 55 35 55 35 55 35 55 35 55 35 55 35 55 35 55 35 55 35 55

Cost of seed (₵/ha) 20 56.25 20 56.25 45 56.25 55 56.25 45 56.25 55 56.25 45 56.25 20 56.25 45 56.25 45 56.25

Labour cost of planting(₵/ha) 25 42.5 25 42.5 25 42.5 25 42.5 25 42.5 25 42.5 25 42.5 25 42.5 25 42.5 25 42.5

Cost of weeding 2 times(₵/ha) 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75 50 75

Harvesting cost(₵/ha) 45 72 45 72 45 72 45 72 45 72 45 72 45 72 45 72 45 72 45 72

Total cost that vary 175 301 468 301 413 301 503 301 635 301 571 301 493 301 600 301 625 301 625 301

Net benefit 241 722 24 890 192 1,013 58 802 795 1,887 1,073 2,389 610 1,984 503 1,984 478 1,207 226 1,648

Benefit cost/Ratio 1.38 2.40 0.05 2.96 0.47 3.37 0.12 2.67 1.25 6.27 1.88 7.94 1.24 6.59 0.84 6.60 0.76 4.01 0.36 5.48

NB: Average yield adjusted 10%; Farm gate price per kg of maize in 2012 and 2014 = Gh₵ 0.70 and Gh₵ 0.98 respectively. Only farmer E practiced row planting with all the rest practicing Scattered planting in 2012. Only farmer I used Scattered planting with the rest using row planting in 2014. Average benefit cost ratio of scattered and row planting are 1.31: 1.00 and 4.22: 1.00

Table 4b. Partial budget and cost benefit analysis of cowpea production in the West-Mamprusi District of Ghana for year 2012 and 2014

Farmer Code Farmer A Farmer B Farmer C Farmer D Farmer E

Cropping year 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014 2012 2014

Average yields(kg/ha) 730 1050 750 1120 810 1150 620 750 830 1170

Adjusted yield* 657 945 675 1008 729 1035 558 675 747 1053

Gross benefit(₵/ha) 1,117 2,287 1,148 2,439 1,239 2,505 949 1,634 1,270 2,548

Cost of land clearing & Plouging(₵/ha) 35 55 35 55 35 55 35 55 35 55

Cost of seed (₵/ha) 67.5 45 67.5 45 85 67.5 85 85 85 67.5

Labour cost of planting(₵/ha) 40 87.5 40 87.5 25 87.5 25 48 30 87.5

Cost of weeding 2 times(₵/ha) 45 72 45 72 45 72 45 72 45 72

cost for chemical spraying (₵/ha) 0 65 0 140 120 60 0 0 20 75

Labour cost of Spraying (₵/ha) 0 70 0 150 150 75 0 0 25 80

Harvesting and processing cost(₵/ha) 140 190 140 190 140 190 140 190 140 190

Total cost that vary 328 585 328 740 600 607 330 450 380 627

Net benefit 789 1,702 820 1,700 639 1,898 619 1,184 890 1,921

Benefit cost/Ratio 2.41 2.91 2.50 2.30 1.07 3.13 1.87 2.63 2.34 3.06 NB: Average yield adjusted 10%; Farm gate price per kg of maize in 2012 and 2014 =Gh₵ 1.70 and Gh₵ 2.42 respectively. Average benefit cost ratio of scattered and broadcasting planting are 1.31: 1.00 and 4.22: 1.00



Atebubu-Amantin and West-Mamprusi districts respectively. The economic analysis revealed a benefit cost ratio of 1.44:1; 0.95:1 and 0.93:1; 0.75:1 for scattered and broadcasting planting of cowpea in Atebubu-Amantin and West Mamprusi districts respectively (Table 1b and 2b). Thus cowpea production with broadcasting method would lead to a loss. Broadcasting and scattering resulted in low or high number of stands per unit area below or above the recommended 16 plants per meter square (spacing of 60cm X 20cm at 2 plants per hill) for cowpea production (GGDP, 1993). According to the farmers, high labour cost and unavailability are the main hindrance for still using broadcasting method of planting. The ―Allan cash‖ cowpea variety used by farmers especially in Atebubu-Amantin district is highly susceptible to diseases which might have contributed to the sight increase in yield of just 8%. In spite of this, farmers in this location preferred the white and black eye qualities of the ―Allan cash‖ and according to them; it is more marketable as compared to others. Therefore, there is the need for more breeding work to inculcate disease tolerant trait in ―Allan cash‖ for farmers in this location. In spite of the general increases in yield, the yields were still below the potential of 6-7t/ha and 2.6t/ha grain yields predicted for maize and cowpea respectively by Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ghana (SRID-MoFA, 2011). Facts and figures from MoFA have revealed that a 10.88% and 11.35% increase in maize and cowpea production in the country was as a result of 6.13% expansion and 0.86% reduction in area under production. Thus increase in productivity is mainly due to expansion in area under production for maize production whiles cowpea increased in production was not mainly due to area under production. Maize and cowpea production like other food crop production are mostly on smallholder bases with land area less than 2 acres (SRID-MoFA, 2011). Therefore adoption of good agronomic practices would boost production and improve farmers’ income. Policy intervention The national vision for the food and agriculture sector is a modernized agriculture resulting in a transformed economy, evident in food security, employment opportunities and improved livelihood (MoFA, 2007). This study has shown that good agronomic practices have the potential to increase yields and income of smallholders. The major constrains to farmers who still use poor agronomic practices such as broadcasting has been unavailability of labour and farm inputs such as fertilizer (FAO, 2010). This is where the intervention of enabling policies would be vital. The Government of

Ghana created the Agricultural Mechanization Centres (AMCs) to assist farmers who cannot meet the condition of acquiring their own tractors to have access and at affordable rate (FAO, 2010). Although there are a number of Mechanization centres, these centres have tractors but lacks accompanying implements for operations such as seeding, weeding, harvestering etc. There is the need to add to these tractors the required implements at the mechanization centres so as to enable farmers gain access to address the problem of labour unavailability for planting, weeding and harvesting. Moreover, good agronomic technologies comes in a package and therefore adopting good planting methods and use of improved varieties without fertilizer application would not lead to the expected yields. Therefore there is the need for timely subsidy on fertilizer and other agrochemical inputs to encourage ease of access. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Although grain yields of maize and cowpea increased across all locations comparing 2012 and 2014, the yields were still below the potential yields of maize and cowpea in the country. Row planting technology seems to have gone on well with maize farmers, however, fertilizer unavailability in a form of subsidy is still a major challenge and policy dialogue would be efficient in addressing this challenge. On cowpea, the bottle neck still remains with the method of planting. Farmers are still using traditional method of broadcasting and therefore the need to find mechanized alternatives for cowpea production to address the problem of labour availability. The study has demonstrated enabling policy environment has a vital role in technology adoption for sustainable legume and cereal production. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors are grateful to DFAT of the Australian Government for providing funding through CORAF/WECARD for the Sustainable Intensification of Integrated Crop-Small Ruminant Production Systems in West Africa (Crop-small ruminant) project through which this study was conducted. REFERENCES Adu SV, Asiamah RD. (1992). Soils of the Ayensu-

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Accepted 13 October, 2015. Citation: Owusu Danquah E, Ennin SA, Frimpong F, Oteng-Darko P, Yeboah S, Osei-Adu J (2015). Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy. World Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2(2): 028-038.

Copyright: © 2015 Owusu Danquah et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are cited.

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