The sustainable development of the rice sector in Ghana is constrained by environmental, socioeconomic, research and development factors. Productivity is generally low, about 1 mt/ha under upland and rain-fed lowland rice ecologies which dominate rice production systems in the country. The release and diffusion of the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties across many countries in Africa (including Ghana) brought renewed hope to both farmers and the research community because of the desirable qualities associated with the NERICAs, and therefore their potential to improve food security on a sustainable basis. This study therefore sought to assess the extent of exposure and adoption of the NERICA varieties across the rice growing districts in Ghana, and determine the key factors that affect adoption. A total of 489 rice producing households from three districts (Ejura-Sekyedumase, Hohoe and Tolon-Kumbungu) were involved in the study. The study employs the average treatment effect (ATE) methodology which provides an appropriate framework for the identification and consistent estimation of the population adoption rate and that of the determinants of adoption. The study finds that exposure to NERICA varieties is generally low in Ghana with an average rate of about 6%. Similarly, the adoption of improved rice varieties is low, and the adoption of NERICA varieties is about 6% of the total sample surveyed. The study shows that experience, education and location are important determinants of exposure, while age and access to extension also affect adoption. It is therefore recommended that much effort and resources should be invested in promotional activities to facilitate both the exposure and adoption of the NERICAs among farmers in Ghana.

Highlights Five indicators for rice production and their gaps were assessed in 12 countries. The indicators include yield, profit, labor productivity, N- and P-use efficiencies. Mean yield varied: 2.5–5.6 t ha −1 in irrigated and 0.6–2.3 t ha −1 in rainfed. There were yield gaps of 29–69 % and profit gaps of 10–89 %. Less than 50 % of farmers had desirable ranges in N- or P-use efficiencies.

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This study analyses factors that influence fertilizer use among cocoa farmers in the Sefwi Wiawso District in the Western Region, Ghana. Primary data were obtained from 200 cocoa farmers in the district. Descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression analysis were used to analyse data collected. The results revealed that majority of the cocoa farmers were males and are getting old. Also farm size and price of fertilizer were significant factors affecting fertilizer use among cocoa farmers in the Sefwi Wiawso District in the Western Region. Moreover 74.5 percent farmers do not use fertilizer whereas 25.5 percent use fertilizer on their cocoa farms. The study recommends that Ghana government should further subsidise the price of fertilizer to make fertilizer more affordable to small holder cocoa farmers and also adopt strategies that hedge against price risk. In addition, illiterate farmers should be encouraged to undergo adult literacy programmes. Rural development policies should think about the importance of improving small-scale farmers? access to credit market. Furthermore, the extension unit of the Ghana Cocoa board and Ministry of Agriculture should be strengthened to educate cocoa farmers more on fertilizer usage. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v3i1.9939 International Journal of Environment Vol.3(1) 2014: 22-31

Street foods play an important role in the lives of urban residents in developing countries. Consequently, there has been a lot of research into the nutritional quality of street vended foods, and the safety and hygiene of these foods. Researchers in Ghana have focused not only on the safety and hygiene of street foods but also on the effectiveness of regulations of these foods. While these provide important knowledge base for policy and action, very little has been done on challenges to improve the quality of local street vended foods. This study presents qualitative data from key stakeholders (vendors, consumers, regulators), on the challenges and opportunities to improve the quality of street vended local foods. Results show several challenges that relate to the safety and hygienic conditions at preparation and sale environments, and issues with the local regulatory authorities, inadequate capital with its related challenges and insecure space for street food vendors. This research recommends that efficient and effective collaboration between all actors and relevant institutions could offer the vendors an opportunity and capacity to provide healthy, affordable and preferred local dishes of cultural value to consumers.