Characterization of rain-fed maize-based vegetable production systems in Northern Ghana

Abstract

The study was conducted in Northern Ghana comprising of the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions. The objective of the study was to analyse maize-based rain-fed vegetable production systems with a view to explore their potential to contribute to food and income security for rural households. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were employed during the study. Questionnaires were employed to collect quantitative data, through semi-structured interviews on socio-cultural and economic dimensions of vegetable production including household characteristics, consumer perspectives and the economics of production and consumption of vegetables. The targeted respondents were households and consumers. Rain-fed cereal-based vegetable production is a key component of the traditional farming system in Northern Ghana and served as the main source of vegetables for rural households. The results showed that all households in the study area integrated vegetables with maize mainly for home consumption. Only a few households cultivated vegetables with the sole purpose of income.

Higher vegetable intake and vegetable variety is associated with a better self-reported health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in a cross-sectional survey of rural northern Ghanaian women in fertile age

“…Vegetables are commonly cultivated in northern Ghana [9], but mostly for home use mainly in the rural settings [4, 10]. Northern Ghana accounted for about 30% of all vegetables harvested in Ghana between October 2012–October 2013 [4].…”

“…Northern Ghana accounted for about 30% of all vegetables harvested in Ghana between October 2012–October 2013 [4]. Although most vegetables are cultivated in rain-fed cultivation systems, they are also commonly cultivated through irrigation during the dry season in many rural communities [9]; thereby ensuring year-round access to fresh vegetables in these rural communities.…”