Why Small-Scale Circular Agriculture Is Central to Food Security and Environmental Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa? The Case of Ghana

Nkansah-Dwamena, Ernest

doi:10.1007/s43615-023-00320-y

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 57 publications

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“…African agri-food systems can contribute to food and nutrition security by alleviating poverty (SDG1) and securing food supplies (SDG2) while supporting inclusive, sustainable rural development (SDG 8). Circular agri-food systems, with an emphasis on efficient resource use and waste reduction, are also an important element for rural African communities to create sustainable livelihoods 12 . In a sustainable community, the available resources are leveraged to meet current demands and improve the quality of life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-designing sustainable biochar business models with sub-Saharan African communities for inclusive socio-economic transformation

Mohammed,

Fatumah,

Abasi

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) encounter multiple livelihood challenges. Embracing circular bioeconomy principles, particularly considering agricultural and food processing residues, could enable inclusive, locally led, sustainable development pathways within rural communities. Biochar products are one such example of a bio-based material that can be generated using circular principles and deployed for sustainable community development, including among smallholder farmers. This research leverages empirical evidence from four SSA regions to explore the potential of inclusive and sustainable biochar business models, namely: (i) Northern Region, Ghana, (ii) Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, (iii) Casamance, Senegal, and (iv) Western Region, Uganda. Co-creation workshops using the Triple-Layered Business Model Canvas framework were carried out in each region with local stakeholders to evaluate the social, ecological, and economic implications of four locally relevant biochar applications: water filtration, biogas purification, soil amendment, and cooking fuel briquettes. Data was analysed at an aggregate level for all regions and applications. The study describes this consolidated biochar business model and examines the implications for SSA communities. The resulting sustainable bio-based business model can guide value chain actors and policymakers in SSA communities towards rural sustainable development with a better understanding of the needs, opportunities, challenges, and impacts of biochar-based value chain development.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-designing sustainable biochar business models with sub-Saharan African communities for inclusive socio-economic transformation

Mohammed,

Fatumah,

Abasi

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Perceived impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: does farm households' capability influence food security resilience in Ghana?

Cobbinah,

Alhassan,

Daadi

2024

IJSE

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PurposeCOVID-19 which became a global pandemic in 2020 has had tremendous impacts on several sectors including agriculture. Farm household capability is said to play a major role in ensuring that individuals develop some level of resilience towards the pandemic. This study assesses the perceived impacts of the pandemic on livelihood activities and examines the effects of farm household capability on food security resilience.Design/methodology/approachThe factor analysis, 2SLS and RIMA methodology were employed to assess the perceived impacts of the pandemic on livelihood activities and examine the effects of farm households' capability on food security resilience. The study is based on farm households in the Northern region of Ghana.FindingsThe study revealed that on a scale of 0 (no impact of the COVID-19 pandemic) to 1 (high impact of the COVID-19 pandemic), a value of 0.641 was obtained which means that the COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate (average) impact on farm households. Farm household capability also increases the food security resilience of farm households.Practical implicationsGovernment and local leaders should ensure that basic life-sustaining conditions are provided for rural farmers, and farm household capabilities are considered during crises.Originality/valueStudies have examined impacts of the COVID-19 but little or no attention has been given to farm households' capability to remain resilient amid the COVID-19 shocks on livelihoods.

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Exploring the relationship between agribusiness investments and postharvest losses among smallholder vegetable farmers in the eThekwini Municipality

Qange,

Mdoda,

Mditshwa

2024

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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Smallholder vegetable farmers in developing economies play a crucial role in agricultural production but often face significant postharvest losses at various stages of the value chain. Agribusiness investments have the potential to address postharvest losses for smallholder vegetable farmers. Understanding the impact of these investments is crucial due to their potential benefits. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between agribusiness investments and postharvest losses among smallholder vegetable farmers, in eThekwini Municipality. Using structured questionnaires, a cross-sectional research design and a multi-stratified random sampling technique were employed to collect primary data from 238 farmers. The study used descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression to analyse the data. The study results revealed that the majority (56%) of the farmers were females with an average age of 45 years and a household size of 5 people per household. Farmers spent an average of 12 years in school, with the majority being unemployed (76%) and relying on farming for income (78%). Moreover, the study revealed that 90% of the farmers lose their produce due to less demand, while 88% believe that the cost of inputs affects them. Additionally, 79% of the farmers believe that high competition in the market results in postharvest losses, and 70 and 69% indicate that weather conditions and adoption of farming practices, respectively, influence their postharvest losses. The Ordinary Least Squares regression model results indicated that agribusiness investments, transport infrastructure, financial support, market demand, weather conditions, adoption of new technologies, and market access significantly influence postharvest losses among smallholder vegetable farmers in the eThekwini Municipality. The study, therefore, recommends investing in transportation infrastructure, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, facilitating market access, providing financial support, and urgently strengthening extension services to reduce postharvest losses in the agricultural sector. The need for strengthening extension services is particularly urgent, as it can provide farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to adopt new technologies and farming practices, thereby reducing postharvest losses.

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Why Small-Scale Circular Agriculture Is Central to Food Security and Environmental Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa? The Case of Ghana

Cited by 3 publications

References 57 publications

Co-designing sustainable biochar business models with sub-Saharan African communities for inclusive socio-economic transformation

Co-designing sustainable biochar business models with sub-Saharan African communities for inclusive socio-economic transformation

Perceived impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: does farm households' capability influence food security resilience in Ghana?

Exploring the relationship between agribusiness investments and postharvest losses among smallholder vegetable farmers in the eThekwini Municipality

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