Agriculture plays important roles in the socio-economic development of Ghana. It contributes to insuring food security, provides raw materials for local industries, generates foreign exchange, and provide employment and incomes for most of the population (especially those living in the rural areas), thereby contributing to poverty reduction. This year alone, the government has renewed commitment towards the agricultural sector following the end of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II, which laid strict emphasis on the modernization of agriculture. The agriculture sector in Ghana has been calculated to have employed over 60 per cent of the total labour force and contributes over 35 per cent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Crop Production

With regards to the Ada East District, agriculture forms the mainstay of the economy and employs over 60 per cent of total labour force in the district. Again, agriculture is the leading sector in the district economy. This is through the activities of direct farming, distribution and marketing of farm produce and other services. It forms the basis of successful operation of the thriving markets in the district. The main agricultural activities considered here include farming (crop production) fishing, livestock production and Agro-forestry.

Majority, over 40 per cent of the total labour force which falls under the agricultural sector are basically farmers with the rest being fishermen, livestock producers and Agro-foresters. The Agro-forestry subsector of the Agriculture sector is quite negligible since majority of the farmers do have the necessary dexterity to engage successfully in the sector.The District is quite noted for the cultivation of food crops especially vegetables and to a large extent enjoys a comparative advantage in its production. Among the crops produced in the district include: cassava, maize, legumes, tomatoes, watermelon, pepper, okra and onions.

Over the years, there were wide myriad of complex problems bedevilling the agriculture sector. Some of the major constraints hindering a swift growth of the agriculture sector include low crop yield and output due to low soil fertility and over-dependency on rainfall; unsustainable agriculture practices; limited number of extension services; low agric mechanization; low exploitation of groundwater for irrigation purposes due to lack of irrigational inputs.

Incidence of limited value addition and high post-harvest losses as well as limited access to marketing centres due to poor road network. The table below presents the production figures of the major crops cultivated within the plan-period – 2006-2009.

An agricultural related research by SEND GHANA, a Non-Governmental Organization in the Ada East District revealed that, close to 40 per cent of smallholder farmers in the district has access to irrigational facilities on their farms. Again, it has been researched that, only 30 per cent of smallholder farmers in the district receive extension services. The research also concluded that, out of the total number of irrigational facilities covered, only 19 per cent had been provided by the District Assemblies in Ghana.

All these constraints as well as challenges facing agricultural development present a complex analysis of issues for the district to strategically deal with. The socio-economic livelihood systems of majority of the people depend largely on farming thus crop production. Therefore, a breakdown in this endeavour caused through the multiplicity of factors aforementioned will present a greater challenge with respect to the socio-economic well-being of the people.

Livestock Production

With regards to livestock production, there are wide ranges of cattle rearing, sheep and goat keeping, pig rearing as well as the rearing of poultry, turkeys, ducks and guinea fowls in district. The main challenge confronting livestock development has to do with the issue of grazing land. What has become paramount of the process is the persistent destruction of crops by livestock in the district. This has perpetrated conflict and sometimes unwarranted clashes between livestock owners and farmers due to the latter’s alleges that the former is deliberately refusing to perform an expected oversight function of the animals. In real rural communities, drinking systems have been extensively sabotaged by livestock making it almost unsuitable for domestic usage.

Through this, the district has made strenuous efforts under the auspices of the DANIDA Water Scheme to provided potable water to almost 87 per cent of rural communities in the district.  Currently, about 27 communities have been put forward to benefit from the water project. As a stopgap measure, it has mitigated the problems stated above and subsequently enhanced livestock production.

Besides all these however, the district is still making strenuous efforts to intensify diseases surveillance systems by increasing the number of Vertinary officers as well as making frantic efforts to provide sustainable drinking sources such as dug-out and Dams for the purposes of livestock production and development.

Fishing Industry

The fishing industry is basically characterized by marine and inland fishing activities. This is because the district shares boundaries with the Gulf of Guinea to south and has a coastal line of about 35 kilometres stretching from Kewunor to Wokumagbe. The culture based fisheries is scattered throughout the district and mostly on the islands. Table 1.17 below presents the typology of fish as well as Landing Beaches in the District.

Within the period of 2009, total fish catch was 475.67mt as against 548.20mt in the 2008. The fishing industry needs a great overhaul particularly with the focus of making the industry more vibrant with all the necessary technological inputs and practical guidance. The main challenge of the fishing industry in district is the lack of fishing inputs and inadequate capacities in terms of the needed modern technology to boost the harvesting of fish.

The Ministry of Agriculture is confronted with inadequate scientific data for precautionary approach to fisheries management; lack of co-management mechanisms for fisheries resources management; inadequate control of fishing effort; inadequate efforts to enhance fisheries resources of water bodies and poor effective monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) system to ensure compliance with laws and regulations on fisheries.

All these complexities have embodied the fishing industry and are working strongly against the efforts and development of industry in the District. The approaches need a crucial ministerial as well as top level solution with participation of local industries (fisher groups, men and women) which are engaged in the fishing sector.

As part of this year’s intervention, critical attempts have been identified to support the fishing sector and most importantly bridge the gap between the domestic and foreign industry. The provision of outboard motors, construction of safe landing beaches and the establishment of ice plants emerged as crucial candidates of the solutions to help support the fishing industry. The District has taken up all these important interventions and is currently working arduously towards its implementation.

Irrigation Farming

Agricultural development depends on a host of complementary activities. The development and use of irrigation remains one of the critical elements which enhance growth in agriculture.

The District holds a large potential in agricultural farming. Currently, there are three methods of irrigation being utilized in the district. These methodologies include: Tube Well/Sprinkler, Pump Flood System and Pump Canal System. This year, the District has been demarcated to benefit from an extensive irrigational project which is currently at the feasibility level.

Irrigations systems vary with the nature of water sources (surface water or groundwater), the scope of the irrigation programme, the stage at which management interventions are applied  and the agent under whose control each part of the irrigation system lies remain the complex issues to deal with. Frequently, an important aspect of irrigation which is neglected is drainage.

All irrigation systems need drainage either through natural means or through installations specifically for this purpose. Nevertheless, it has been discovered that most of the irrigational projects in the world were constructed without drainage. It is therefore apparent to incorporate all these issues into the interventions.

Proper management of irrigated water in all parts of the system essential to obtain the full benefit of the investment made. Therefore, prudent management approaches are necessary and will depend on the nature and complexity of the system.

The issues of operation and maintenance of the infrastructure, cost recovery and farmer’s participation still remain an issue to be discussed and incorporated appropriately. Table 1.18 below presents the typologies of irrigation in the district.