Ghana

Governance Challenge of Agriculture in Ghana

TPK Admin Agriculture Farming, Massey Ferguson Tractors, Tractors for Sale in Ghana , , , , , 0 Comment
Governance Challenge of Agriculture in Ghana
Governance Challenge of Agriculture in Ghana

Ghana’s government has placed agricultural mechanization back on the development agenda in the last decade. Governance issues, including rent-seeking, lack of access to spare parts, experienced operators, and technicians, contributed to the failure of previous attempts to import agricultural machinery, employ services, and establish state farms. Instead of concentrating on “Asian-style green revolution technology,” Ghana is likely to go in the direction of mechanization. Urbanization and changes in agricultural systems have produced key labor bottlenecks, especially in land preparation, prompting a need for mechanization from both big and smallholder farmers. However, there is also the influence of social and cultural elements. Mechanization services are in high demand among young farmers because of the negative connotations that young people connect with manual labor in agriculture.

Lack of Training and Education

Although “upstream” stakeholders like government actors are aware of these concerns and the government has lately begun to re-activate some ancient agricultural schools, the Ghanaian government still confronts significant challenges in delivering training and education to farmers. Because of the priority put on agricultural machinery imports, there is little money left over to spend on employee education and development. Since this is the case, attempts to educate tractor drivers are spotty at best. Unfortunately, many tractor drivers lack even the most basic qualification—a valid driver’s license. There is no government-run school for technicians. Technicians often work as “roadside technicians,” which is a broad but accurate term.

Marginalization of small-scale and female farmers

The public-private AMSECs and private service providers are both hesitant to work with smallholders. In addition, small farmer fields are more likely to include obstacles like stumps and stones. Servicing farmers with greater landholdings is more cost-effective because of the high unmet demand from such farmers. If small farmers have their fields tilled too late, they will not be able to plant their seeds in time, leading to a precipitous decline in production. Because of their limited resources and negotiating strength, small farmers have little choice but to accept subpar ploughing. Since they are in a position of authority, operators often abandon their work before the whole plot of land has been plowed. Because of the tiny size and poor quality of their land holdings, women farmers are particularly at a disadvantage. Because of the preponderance of male agricultural machinery and tractor owners and drivers, women farmers face extra barriers to entry. When smallholder farmers band together and negotiate with service providers as a bloc, they are able to save money and strengthen their negotiating position, getting more access to credit and crop rental markets as a result.

Poor Access to finance

Investments in agricultural machinery, such as tractors, and farm implements and the financing of tractor services are both hampered by market failure in agricultural finance. The private banking sector is notoriously strict when it comes to loaning money. Farmers and tractor and farm implements owners have complained that applying for a loan from a private bank is arduous and that the repayment plan is strict and not tailored to the realities of farming. Although agricultural machinery and tractors need longer durations of use before the initial investment is returned, loans must be repaid regularly and within a period of 12 months. Due to high transaction costs, high inflation, and high default rates, banks charge interest rates of up to 35% per year (plus fees).

Government imports and AMSECs provide difficulties

Several causes of probable state collapse were discovered. To be sure, these difficulties have an impact on the public-private partnership mechanization model being followed in Ghana, whereby the government and AMSECs buy agricultural machinery and tractors. This gap between supply and demand is the root cause of many of the problems in governance. The importation of farm implements and tractors is funded by concessional loan arrangements and subsidies from industrialized nations like Japan. The Government of Ghana was restricted to importing tractors from a small group of approved manufacturers, most often those located in the nation that provided the loan. This setup might make it difficult to choose the best manufacturers and discourages individual investment in replacement components. Farmers and business owners who choose their own agricultural machinery nearly always choose Massey Ferguson tractors for sale because of the reliability of the brand and the low cost of replacement components.

Role of Tractors PK

Due to a lack of technical knowledge, many Ghanaian farmers have a hard time deciding which tractor is ideal for their needs. If you have any questions or concerns about farming in Ghana, do not hesitate to contact Tractors PK. Whether you are a big or small farmer, you can find the right agricultural machinery for your operation. We have agricultural machinery from a wide variety of brands, including Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Kubota, and many more. If you are looking for a dependable supplier of Massey Ferguson tractors in Ghana, go no further than Tractors PK. For many years, we have provided our clients with the finest new tractors, and their satisfaction has never wavered.

Exploring Irrigation Challenges and Opportunities in Ghana

TPK Admin Agriculture Farming, Massey Ferguson Tractors, Mechanized Farming, New Holland Tractors, Tractors for Sale in Ghana , , , , , , 0 Comment
Irrigation Challenges in Ghana
Irrigation Challenges in Ghana

Despite Ghana’s wealth of water for irrigation farming, the results of the country’s mismanaged and unchecked irrigated agricultural techniques, along with its lack of agricultural machinery, leave much to be desired. The government of Ghana has implemented development plans and strategies to boost irrigated agriculture as a result of the growing recognition of irrigation issues and their impact on the economy and environment. To encourage cooperation and partnership among irrigation industry members for the sake of advancing environmentally responsible irrigated agriculture, a formal institutional structure was designed. But even with irrigation, conventional farming is more productive. For instance, low crop performance may be traced back to a lack of foresight, and inter-organizational coordination has proven challenging. In this piece, we will look at some of the ways in which Ghana’s irrigated agriculture may benefit from some new approaches.

Major irrigation challenges

Despite widespread use, northern parts of Ghana have more difficulties in the area of irrigated farming. Tono and Vea irrigation systems, the two biggest in Ghana, are situated in the north, giving access to water for agricultural growth and boosting the socio-economic life activities of many farmers. Financial insufficiencies, institutional challenges, limited access to inputs and services, difficulties in marketing and post-harvest handling, lack of cooperation, and disagreements between the government and landowners over compensation have emerged as the most pressing issues affecting irrigation in Ghana. Poor maintenance of canals, weeds, and sludge around canal networks are only a few of the issues plaguing Ghana’s irrigation system. Given the current difficulties farmers face, such as low farm income and production, it would be difficult for maintenance to be left solely in the hands of farmers if the government did not provide the primary headwork, conveyance, and distribution infrastructure for irrigation development in the country. As a result, several of the plans have been completely abandoned and have since collapsed.

Inadequate and antiquated irrigation equipment and mechanization are major obstacles to the development of sustainable irrigated agriculture in Ghana. The land and water are not safeguarded by the conventional form of irrigation used in farming. Irrigation water for crops comes from rivers and wells drilled into river beds. These methods lower water tables during dry periods and severely pollute groundwater with fertilizers and pesticides that seep deep into the soil. Meanwhile, Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water and sanitation agencies, and municipal governments all have roles in keeping the environment safe.

Relevant Policies and Irrigation Schemes in Ghana

In response to the shortcomings of the first Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP I), which prioritized the private sector at the cost of low-income farmers, FASDEP II was enacted. To better manage land and environment sustainably, employ science and technology in food and agriculture development, and promote competitiveness and integration into local and worldwide markets are all goals of agricultural policy for the food and agriculture industry.

What this means for the future of irrigation depends on the nation’s water policies. As part of its new strategy, the government of Ghana will make sure that farmers have access to high-quality water in appropriate quantities. In addition, the government of Ghana formulated the national land policy in 1999 to ensure the country’s continued responsible management of its land and its inherent resources. The policy backs economic and social initiatives that are eco-friendly and adhere to the principles of sustainable resource management. The State Lands Act is a legal requirement for all irrigation projects, no matter how big or little.

Alternative Practices

Due to the high cost of operating, solar irrigation has not garnered much interest from Ghanaian governments or farmers. To help make renewable energy more accessible to farmers, solar-powered irrigation pumps are being built in Tamalgu in the Karaga District. However, this program is not prevalent across the nation. Most public irrigation projects that rely on a pressurized system are experiencing dry spells owing to a lack of energy. This means that non-resistant crops will be wiped out during the dry season, while resistant crops will begin to wilt and die off.

It will be preferable if irrigation water management is approached with an active role for extension agents and the implementation of appropriate technologies. In the past, on-farm water management programs had failed because of a lack of support service to farmers, but now, due to improvements in extension agents’ abilities, they are able to effectively aid farmers in the areas of irrigation development and management. Effective irrigation management relies heavily on high-quality extension and consulting services supplied by the government, commercial businesses or consultants, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or farmer organizations. There is evidence that when incentives, technical knowledge, and water information are provided as part of regular capacity development initiatives for irrigation stakeholders, they perform well. It is difficult to assess the development of irrigation projects due to the office’s inability to keep track of vital information.

Role of Tractors PK

Agricultural machinery, in addition to the good irrigation system, also plays an important role in enhancing the agricultural yield of Ghana. Tractors PK was established to help Ghanaian farmers get their hands on affordable, high-quality agricultural machinery. With the introduction of Tractors PK, the country’s poor farmers may rest a little easier. Farmers are optimistic about the project’s future prospects since they have access to several types of agricultural machinery, such as Massey Ferguson tractors for sale, New Holland tractors for sale, farm implements, combine harvesters, and many more.

Effects of Climate Change on Agricultural Yields of Ghana

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Effect of Climate Change in Ghana
Effect of Climate Change in Ghana

More than half of Ghanaians are directly or indirectly employed in the agricultural sector, which plays a significant role in the country’s economy by ensuring its people have access to nutritious food and generating revenue. With its dependence on rain-fed agriculture and susceptibility to drought, Ghana’s agricultural industry is particularly vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate. The majority of farms in Ghana are owned by small families and rely on rain-fed agriculture, making the country vulnerable to climate change. Understanding the potential impact of climate change on Ghana’s agricultural industry is essential for making preparations to deal with it. Unpredictable and varied rainfall, higher temperatures, and longer dry seasons are only some of the ways in which climate change is affecting Ghana’s agricultural sector.

Changes in the yields of the most important food sources

This strong and non-stationary variability among chosen food crops was seen in northern Ghana, where production trends differed greatly across different types of these crops. That means yearly rain-fed crop yields followed the same pattern as precipitation fluctuations. As opposed to other crops, rice is grown using a combination of rain and irrigation. Thus, it is anticipated that the district with the most readily available irrigation for rice farmers would have the best output overall. For instance, farmers may need to use adaptation methods like irrigation more quickly if the advent of rainfall is delayed and the number of dry days increases. However, only a tiny fraction of farmers in Ghana actually use irrigation, despite the fact that it is the single most effective adaptation method for mitigating the effects of climate change and variability.

The development of high-yielding and weather-resistant crop types may account for the recent increases in millet and maize production. Increased agricultural variety is critical for sustainable food production in Ghana, as seen by the country’s widespread use of many maize and millet cultivars. Because of their genetic variety, crop types may respond to and even benefit from shifting climates and other environmental factors by becoming more hardy and resistant to things like heat, drought, pests, and parasites.

Interventions to cope with climate change’s effects

Over the course of many decades, farmers have been adjusting to the inevitable changes in precipitation and average temperature. Farmers in northeastern Ghana have diversified their crop and animal holdings, increased their use of irrigation, and expanded into nonagricultural revenue sources in order to better their economic situations. Institutional support for adaptation is a key factor in farmers’ capacity to deal with predicted changes in rainfall and temperature. Institutional aid must take into account the needs of both men and women farmers. Because the negative effects of climate change on agriculture will be perceived unequally throughout the nation, it is crucial to include farmers’ perspectives in adaptation planning. Adaptive capability is predicted to vary between agroecological zones and within families due to resource disparities such as lack of proper agricultural machinery, tractors and farm implements. Females, like males, have agency and valuable information that may be used to design and implement climate adaptation interventions and to address the negative effects of climate change on food security and family well-being.

Farmers’ capacity to adjust to climate change effects and dangers is crucial to adaptation. Their socioeconomic status affects their adaptability. Assistance might come from the government, NGOs, and other agricultural players such as Tractors PK as it is one of the top tractor dealers in Ghana. The provision of community irrigation systems, funding for research institutes to produce climate-tolerant crop varieties, providing proper agricultural machinery, agricultural insurance, capacity-building for farmers, chances for secure income, and credit and extension service are all examples of this kind of assistance.

How Tractors PK could help?

Tractors PK is a supplier of farm implements and other agriculture machinery such as Massey Ferguson tractors for sale, New Holland tractors for sale, combine harvesters, etc. to farmers in Ghana. Tractors PK could be able to help the smaller farms in Ghana to get their hands on tractors at costs that are more affordable to them. Tractors PK offers reasonably priced agricultural machinery and other farm implements in Ghana, which may be useful for small-scale Ghanaian farmers. These farmers in Ghana can now kick back and take pleasure in their jobs thanks to Tractors PK.