A survey of browse plants trade in the upper east region of Ghana

Abstract

The study was conducted in the Upper-East region of Ghana. The objective of the study was to assess the sources, harvesting and marketing of browse plants, and challenges associated with their harvesting and marketing. Four districts were randomly selected in the region. Three categories of semi-structured questionnaires were separately administered to respondents in sixteen Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) administrative zones (communities) and in four livestock and browse marketing centers in the study area. In all, a total of 200 respondents comprising of 80 small-holder livestock owners, 60 harvesters and 60 marketers of browse plants were interviewed. Six (6) browse species were identified as the common ones utilized by livestock farmers in the area. Gliricidia sepium was identified as the most common and preferred species. Community range lands are the major sources of these browse plants for harvesters and users. Both young and the elderly people of the opposite sex are involved in the harvesting and marketing of browse plants in the area. However, the female population forms the greater proportion (55%) in the harvesting and marketing of browse plants. Indigenous tools such as cutlasses, knifes, axes and sickles are used in the harvesting of browse plants in the area. Harvested plants are preserved by sun-drying, hay and silage preparation. Bush fire and low rainfall were considered as major factors limiting the harvesting and utilization of browse plants in the study area.

Productivity nutritive value and economic potential of irrigated fodder in two regions of Ghana

“…The absence of cultivated fodder in the markets is an indication that commercial forage production is not routinely practiced in the study sites (Lukuyu et al., 2016) whereas there is a growing need for fodder especially during the dry season (Konlan et al., 2015). The scarcity of natural pastures has created a high demand for feed and has motivated feed sellers to collect browses, crop residues, and agro‐industrial by‐products (AIBPs) for small ruminant farmers (Husseini et al., 2011). Low feed trading activity and feed price in the Upper East region may be influenced by low demand, contrary to the report of Konlan et al.…”

AKADEMIYA2063 Working Paper Series - N.008

“…The decline in access to natural pasture due to the expansion of cropland and urban areas is putting pressure on livestock farmers to explore other feed sources for their animals. Feed markets have sprung up with sellers harvesting leaves from naturally occurring grasses and browse species, crop residues, and agricultural and agro-industrial by-products, like cereal bran and cottonseed cake, for sale to farmers engaged in stall feeding (Husseini et al 2011). Feed concentrates are also produced by small-scale factories for sale in these markets.…”