RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT CSIR – CROPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE In-house Presentation, 2012

Review of Farming Constraint identified in Ashanti region in 2011 H. Asumadu

INTRODUCTION The weak linkages between Research, Extension and Farmers in Ghana is well documented. The Goal of the Research-Extension- Farmer Linkage Committees (RELCs) is to create a bridge between research, extension, farmers and agribusiness to make research and extension more demand-driven.

Objectives of the review List and review farmers constraints Categorise constraints into Research, Extension, Training and Policy. State interventions made and the current situation. Plan of action for the year.

Participants/Stakeholders Researchers -CSIR-CRI, SRI, & CSIR-Accra MOFA –Directors & Extension agents Farmers NGOs Agribusiness -Input dealers, processor and marketers Policy makers e.g. Regional Consultative Council.

Procedure for identification and prioritization of problems Operational area: AEAs and Farmers District Planning session Regional Planning workshop -Priority Information Theme (PIT) method is normally used to prioritize problems

Priority Grid T OTAL (freq.) 1Rot and pre-sprouting in storage of yam Yam glut at peak harvest Knots and cracks on yam tubers Inadequate improved planting material for cassava Yellowing and wilting of leaves and holes in tubers 653 6Herbicides affecting cocoyam production 64 7High weed infestation and high cost of weed control in cassava 1

CRITERIA FOR RANKING Farmers’ constraints 1. Importance to production 2. Effect on economic returns 3. How widespread is the problem 4. Ease of intervention 5. Economic importance of the problem 6. Availability of technology to solve problem

Group Discussion Commodity areas -Cereals and Legumes -Roots and tubers -Vegetable and tree crops -Livestock, poultry and fisheries -Cross cutting issues

Categorization of problems Research (R), Training and Extension (T&E) Policy (P) Credit (C) Marketing (M).

Interventions Researchable constraints supported by WAAPP -Food and Agriculture Budgetary Support Scheme (FABS) Projects -Competitive Agricultural Research Grant Scheme (CARGS) Projects Non-researchable problems T&E: MoFA to strengthen Training and Extension activities. P: MOFA directors note and include in reports to sector ministers.

On-going Research Interventions Development of Strategies for the Management of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus - Dr. J.N.L. Lamptey (CSIR-CRI). Integrated Nutrient Management of Yam Production - Dr. R. Issaka Nuhu (CSIR-SRI). Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Cassava-Legume Intercrop - Dr. Yeboah (CSIR-SRI).

CEREALS AND LEGUMES ConstraintsInterventionsResponsible Org. Termite infestations on maize i)Conservation of soil moisture through Zero tillage (ii)Use of recommended insecticides iii) Destruction of the termite queen Extension agents, FBOs, Researchers. Lack of storage facilities for maize i)sensitize and train farmers on the use of improved cribs ii)Silos Extension agents Private sector Unpredictable weather condition i)Adaptation to climate change ii) Mitigation of the effect of climate change Researchers, Policy makers, Extension agents. Rice smutUse of certified seedExtension agents. Hard pan formationi)Conservation TillageExtension agents

ROOTS AND TUBERS - CASSAVA ConstraintsInterventionsResponsible organization 1. Limited Availability of improved planting materials (2) (E&T) Intensification of commercial planting materials production backed by extension. MOFA RELC Coordinators 2. Lack of awareness of the different uses of the various varieties (3) (E&T) Sensitization fora and meetings. Demonstrations DADU 3. Marketing challenges (1) (E&T + P) Value addition through improved value chain development PPMED 4. Post harvest handling (4) (E&T) Increased processing and value addition PPMED Extension

ROOTS AND TUBERS - YAM ConstraintsInterventionsResponsible Org. 1. Destruction of yam setts by beetles and ants (4) (R + E&T) Research into protection methods Research Extension 2. High cost of planting materials (2) (E&T) Intensification of commercial planting materials production backed by extension. MOFA RELC Coordinators 3. Lack of improved planting materials (1) (R) Intensification of commercial planting materials production backed by extension. MOFA RELC Coordinators 4. Post harvest losses (3) (E&T) Develop appropriate storage facilities Researchers, Extension agents

ROOTS AND TUBERS - COCOYAM ConstraintsInterventionsResponsible Org. 1.Declining cocoyam production as a result of herbicide use (1) (E&T) Educate farmers on the use of herbicides Extension agents, FBOs. 2. Unavailability of planting materials (corms) (2) (R) Intensification of commercial planting materials production backed by extension. MOFA RELC Coordinators 3. Destruction of corms by beetles, etc. (2) (R + E&T) Research into protection methods Researchers, Extension agents.

VEGETABLE AND TREE CROPS ConstraintsInterventionsResponsible Org. -Lack of storage facilities1. Provision of cold- rooms, and processing facilities 2. Proper handling and packaging Policy makers, extension agents -Dumping off in tomatoesTraining in nursery practices Researchers, Extension agents -Rusty spots on lettuceTraining in ICMP Researchers, Extension agents. -Nematodes on tomato and garden eggs Training on ICMPResearch Extension -Pepper fruit rot  Fungi  Insects Training in ICMPResearch Extension -Cabbage rotDevelop appropriate control measures. Research

VEGETABLE AND TREE CROPS – cont’d ConstraintsInterventionsResponsible Org. -Wilting of vegetable leaves (tomato) Training in ICMPResearch Extension -Premature droppings of citrus fruits Training in ICMPResearch Extension -Lodging of plantainTraining in ICMPResearch Extension -Inadequate oil palm planting materials Raising quality and adequate seedlings Extension & Nursery operators -Mealy bugs on pawpaw Training in ICMPExtension Research

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY ConstraintsInterventionsResponsible Org. Low cattle productivity and threat to public health due to prevalence of TB. Tuberculin Test, surveillance and limited depopulation Veterinary staff - Lab, Epi Persistence of mange in small ruminants (Priority 1) Training of Vet. Technicians in Integrated treatment with parenteral ivermectin and topical acaricide. RVO Lab High frequency of worm build up in ruminants (Researchable. P.2) Carry out anthelmintic resistance trials and improved deworming. Animal Res. Inst. Vet Lab Proliferation of Biologicals leading to introduction of new diseases (2). Establish monitoring team for inspection CEPS Vets Lack of standardized vaccination programme for poultry diseases. (1) Training of farmers in effective vaccination protocol. RVO Activities of quack veterinary practitioners (2) Strengthen staff level of vetsDirector VSD

CROSS CUTTING ISSUES ConstraintsInterventionsResponsible Org. 1.Declining soil fertility (1) (R+E&T) Adopt cultural practices that improves soil fertility, Soil testing and interpretation of results Extension agents, Researchers. 2. Emergence of noxious weeds (3) (R) Research into appropriate control methods Researchers 3. Bush fires (5) (E&T + P) Increase education on the dangers of bushfires DADU MMDAs 4. Over grazing (6) (E&T + P) Intensify education to check overgrazing DADU MMDAs 5. Inadequate tractor services (4) (P) Increase tractor servicesDADU MOFA 6. Poor roads and transport infrastructure (2) (P) Provide improved road and transport infrastructure MMDAs DFR

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