An assessment of the competitiveness of cassava production in Birim South District of Ghana

BcA. Ophelia Acheampong

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Transformation of the cassava sector for improved incomes for farmers, efficient supply andutilisation, very much depends on deliberate efforts by government to coordinate and supportthe activities of major actors within the cassava value chain. The studies aimed at assessing thecompetitiveness of cassava production in the Birim South District of Ghana and evaluateoptions for production expansion. Survey research methodology using questionnaires andguided interviews were used in collecting data. A farm-level data size of 239 cassava farmerswas obtained using simple random sampling techniques for community selection and snowballmethod to select respondents. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package forthe Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Results indicate that cassava densities peracre, a routine weeding, planting pattern and method of planting statistically influenced yields.The study further found that expansion of local cassava production in the area is possible giventhe availability of market opportunities and farmers willingness to expand. Other Findings fromthe research showed that the local cassava production in the study area was profitable with anaverage gross margin per farmer of 867 Ghana Cedis and Cost Benefit Ratio (BCR) of 2.6making it competitive. Findings on opportunities for industrial food and non-food uses ofcassava indicate high awareness on these new cassava products by farmers but modest demand.High cassava beer consumption was evident. A trend analysis of Policies implemented totransform the sector had seen improvements in raising yields and land area under cultivationbut limited impact on mechanisation and processing (10%), as coverage had been relativelylow. Farmer’s preference for sales at the farm gate was found (78%). The share of the marketingmargin along the cassava supply chain was 11.29% for intermediaries and some farmers.Improving post-harvest infrastructure to enhance transportation and processing would improvevalue addition and marketing, increases incomes for farmers, and ensure food security.Developing food and new cassava derivatives with specific focus on urban and export marketfor key food products such as fufu flour, High Quality Cassava flour and cassava chips forpoultry feed is imperative. Specific policies should be designed to responds to farmer needsand constraints. Quality and accessible extension to promote appropriate agronomic practicesmust be prioritised. Improvements in government’s input support to farmers and extensionworkers were recommended. Farmers organising themselves into cooperatives and utilizationof extension messages were suggested.

Keywords

Manihot esculenta Crantz, marketing channels, government policy, value addition, profitability

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 4. 5. 2018

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Miroslava Bavorová

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Sustainable Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics