The Builsa District, which is one of the eight districts of the Upper East Region, has a total land area of 2,220km2 with a current population of 80,035 projected from the 2000 Population and Housing Census figure of 75375. It has a population density of 36 persons per km2.

Total cultivable area is 37,000ha. The people are predominantly small holders growing a range of rain-fed food crops.  The main food crops are cereals (maize, rice, sorghum, millet) and pulses (cowpea and groundnuts). The people are also engaged in livestock and poultry production.

The vegetation is guinea savannah.  The soils are degraded, low in organic matter content and nutrients due to continuous cropping and other land degradation activities such as bush burning. The methods of cultivation are the hand hoe, animal traction and tractor; however the predominant method is the hand hoe. The District has a single maximum rainfall regime expanding over a period of 5 months with annual totals ranging between 700-1,000mm (Uni modal).  The dry period extends for 7 months with a mean temperature of 25-30oC.

The Weather Situation

During the first quarter of the year, the district usually experiences two extremes of weather conditions:  The dry harmattan cold winds, which prevail over the entire district for the months of January and February even though there could be some days of hot and warmer conditions.  The first two months of the second quarter of the year experiences dry, warm and cloudy conditions but the month of June had rains that affected the main crop farming. Thus on the whole, the period January to June may experience some small to moderate amount of rainfall averaging about 850mm although the rainfall may start early enough, an unexpected dry spell may affect the moisture inflow and hence curtail the rains.  Below are monthly rainfall figures from January to November 2001 to 2005. 

Effect Of The Weather On Food Production

In 2005, the month of April was dry and hot but recorded 2 days of rainfall totaling 3.4mm as compared to 8 days and 103.9mm of rainfall during the same period in 2004. The figure also indicates that there was a decrease of 43% in total rainfall in 2005(201.1) as compared to that of 2004(351.3). Towards the end of May and early June the rains started in the earnest and if this trend continues, it will compensate for the initial set back and promote good crop production.

Cropping Situation

Cropping normally starts from ending of May to early June and continues until June ending. The operations undertaken in the period for all the major crops. Early rains were not generally favourable. Crops are not in uniform growth. Planting for most of the crops will be completed in July. Dry season cropping in the district is done along the riverbanks, irrigable dam sites (those rehabilitated by LACOSREP, etc) and the Builsa side of the Tono irrigation project (ICOUR). Crops normally produced under irrigation agriculture include tomatoes, pepper, onion and leafy vegetables.

Irrigation Agriculture

A survey carried out at the LACOSREP rehabilitated dams in 2005 in the Builsa District gave the following statistics. Summary of Achievements were also as follows: An analysis of the table reveals that the predominant economic crops produced under irrigation are tomatoes, pepper and onions in that order.  Area under cultivation in year 2002 exceeded that of 2001 by 9.7% while farmers for 2002 exceeded 2001 by 41%.  Female farmers for 2002 exceeded that of 2001 by 84.7%.  All these indicate an increase in the use of the irrigable facility at the sites surveyed.  This situation would go a long way to improve on household incomes of beneficiaries.

Rain-Fed Agriculture

Under rain-fed agriculture farmers sow/crop early millet, late millet, maize, rice, sorghum, groundnuts, Bambara beans, Soya beans, sweet potato, okra, etc. The estimated production figures for 2004 as compared to 2005. Generally for the period April to June 2005 there was a higher off-take as compared to the same period 2004 except for cattle. This could be attributed to the Christian and Moslem holidays that fell within the period.

Livestock Feeding

To improve livestock feeding in the district, farmers were educated on the need to produce more legumes to enable them store the vines for livestock feeding.

Food Situation In The District

Average commodity prices (1Kilo) for April to June 2005 as compared to April to June 2004 for Sandema and Fumbisi Markets.
Generally prices remained stable over the period April to June 2005 with monthly fluctuations of between –5.3% and +10.0%. When compared with the same period 2004 prices are generally higher than for 2004 except for some few commodities. Prices for livestock were generally higher than for the same period 2004. The supply situation is generally stable with inflows from overseas, Sissala and Techiman into the major markets of Fumbisi and Sandema.

Agricultural Equipment Situation In The District

Construction/Rehabilitation of Dams and Dugouts Four (4) dams are been constructed/rehabilitated by LACOSREP and V.I.P in the district at Longsa (Wiaga), Kunkwak (Gbedema), Kaasa (Siniensi) and Kadema respectively to provide water for livestock as well as for fishery and irrigation. Chansa Dam has been completed and handed over to the community. Kanjarga dam has also been completed and waiting handing over to the Community.  Work is on-going at the Gbedema/Badomsa dams whilst Kunkwah and Longsa have been repackaged and awarded to contractors. Kasiesa and Namonsa Dams were also awarded at the tail end of the first quarter of 2006.  

LACOSREP  rehabilitated 4 dams at Wiaga and 1 at Gbedema Dabomsa.  Fiisa dam situated at Sandema was partly rehabilitated by ADRA.  LACOSREP II is to rehabilitate a dam each at Wiaga, Kasiesa (Fumbisi), Kanjarga, Namonsa (Chuchuliga), and Chansa and constructs a new dam at Kunkwak (Gbedema); Dam works are scheduled to begin on the Longsa and Kunkwak sites.

Construction of Hand Dug Wells

During the period under consideration LACOSREP has lined twenty (20) hand-dug wells for livestock watering as well as for domestic use

Fisheries

Construction Stocking of Fishponds &  (April – June 2005).  One (1) fishpond was constructed in Yisobsa during the period but it is yet to be stocked with fingerlings. One private fish farmer also applied to the Ministry for stocking of his fishpond

Pest & disease outbreak

There was suspected outbreak of Armyworm in May 2005 but this was found to be false alarm.

Root and Tuber Improvement Programme (RTIP)

Under this the Builsa District Agric Development Unit is collaborating with RTIP to promote the multiplication and distribution of two sweet potato varieties: SAUTI and FAARA to farmers. The objective of the programme is to develop a sustainable system of multiplication and distribution of good quality planting stock in order to increase their availability and adoption and consequently yield per unit area of sweet potato.

In Builsa sweet potato vines have been distributed to one hundred and sixty (160) tertiary farmers in the communities of Wiaga, Sandema, Chuchuliga, Fumbisi, Kadema, Gbedema, Wiesi and Gbedembilisi.  Also RTIP has provided vines to enable the DADU carry out a farmer training and demonstration at Wiaga. Increased cultivation of sweet potato would enhance food security and also serve as a source of employment and income generation for the people of the District.

Collaboration With NGOS And Other Partners

Collaboration with Animal Research Institute (ARI) of CSIR.  Under the collaboration with the ARI a project for enhancing rural livelihoods and food security through improvement in small ruminant production and marketing in Northern Ghana has started in 3 communities in the Builsa District with the formation of groups and training of selected staff and farmers of the communities on the PTD concept. The main objective of the project is to enable smallholder farmers practice sustainable animal husbandry technologies and marketing strategies for improved livelihoods.

Performance of Kapaala (Sorghum)

Some 15 interested farmers willing to continue with the programme have been identified. New certified seed will however be needed to replace the farmers’ seed currently in the system.

RTIP- Sweet Potato Production 

Staff carried out identification of farmers who have water facilities and protected vine multiplication sites. A total of 27 farmers have been identified and have kept sweet potato vines to be multiplied. The identification will continue in the second quarter.
 
Millet/Sorghum Transplant

Areas are in the process of identifying interested farmers for the programme. Sixteen (16) farmers have so far been identified. As more are identified during the second quarter, they would be given the necessary training for implementing the technique.

Agricultural Development In The Builsa

As noted earlier, Builsa District is one of the six districts of the Upper East Region.  The district has a total area of 2,220km2 with a population of seventy five thousand three hundred and seventy five (75,375) and a population density of 34 persons per km2. Total cultivable areas are 37,000ha.  The people are predominantly small holders growing a range of rain-fed food crops.  The main food crops are cereals (maize, rice, sorghum, millet) and pulses (cowpea and groundnuts).  The people are also engaged in livestock and poultry production.

The vegetation is guinea savanna.  The soils are degraded, low in organic matter content and nutrients due to continuous cropping and other land degradation activities such as bush burning. The methods of cultivation are the hand hoe, animal traction and tractor, however the predominant method is the hand hoe. The District has a single maximum rainfall regime expanding over a period of 5 months with annual totals ranging between 700-1,000mm (Unimodal).  The dry period extends for 7 months with a mean temperature of 25-30oC.

The Weather Situation

During the first quarter of the year, the district usually experiences two extremes of weather conditions:  The dry harmattan cold winds, which prevail over the entire district for the months of January and February even though there could be some days of hot and warmer conditions.

The second quarter of the year experiences drier, hotter and warmer conditions over the entire area especially in March followed by intermittent rainfall accompanied by strong winds interspersed with periods of drought. Thus on the whole the period January to June may experience some small to moderate amount of rainfall averaging about 850mm although the rainfall may start early enough, an unexpected dry spell may affect the moisture inflow and hence curtail the rains. This situation can affect adversely agricultural activities and crop performance. For instance a short drought that occurred between March and April 2002 resulted in a fall in the expected rainfall amounts of about 133.1mm as compared to that of the same period in 2001.
 
Effect Of Weather On Food Production

There was a dry spell of nine days (9) from the 2nd of April 2002 to 11th of April 2002 and of 16th days from the 12th of April 2002.  This coupled with the low amounts of rainfall recorded in May and June affected land preparation and sowing activities. The drought coupled with the low moisture and the presence of high night temperature and succulent grasses in riverine basins favoured the outbreak of Armyworm recorded in the District on the 7th of May 2002.

Rainfall amount for the reporting period was 133.1mm or 35.8% less than was recorded for the same period 2001.  This accounted for the late preparation of land and other agricultural activities.
Cropping Situation.  Cropping normally starts from ending of May to early June and continues until June ending. The operations undertaken in the period for all the major crops.  Where early rains are not generally favourable planting for most of the crops could extend to middle of July. The areas covered for the various crops in year 2002 from January to June are as shown in the table below:

Crop Production for 2002

Dry season cropping in the district is done along the riverbanks, irrigable damsites (those rehabilitated by LACOSREP, etc) and the Builsa side of the Tono irrigation project (ICOUR). Crops normally produced under irrigation agriculture include tomatoes, pepper, onion and leafy vegetables.

Irrigation Agriculture

A survey carried out at the LACOSREP rehabilitated dams in the Builsa District gave the following statistics.  O – Onion, T – Tomato, P – Pepper, L – Leafy Vegetable . An analysis of the table reveals that the predominant economic crops produced under irrigation are tomatoes, pepper and onions in that order.  Area under cultivation in year 2002 exceeded that of 2001 by 9.7% while farmers for 2002 exceeded 2001 by 41%.  Female farmers for 2002 exceeded that of 2001 by 84.7%.  All these indicate an increase in the use of the irrigable facility at the sites surveyed.  This situation would go a long way to improve on household incomes of beneficiaries.

Rain-Fed Agriculture

Under rain-fed agriculture farmers sow/crop early millet, late millet, maize, rice, sorghum, groundnuts, Bambara beans, soya beans, sweet potato, okra, etc.  It is estimated that total production for 2002 would be lower than that of 2001 by 0.82%. This decrease is mainly due to the drought that affected land preparation, seeding and germination.  Slaughter figures indicate less slaughter during the period under consideration compared to the same period in 2001.  This could be attributed to low sales and also to the greater demand for pork (148) and dog meat (83).

Livestock Feeding

To improve livestock feeding in the district farmers are educated on the need to produce more legumes to enable them store the vines for livestock.  Fish landed in 2002 was 684Kg.  Predominant species Tilapia, Claris and Achenoglanis.  Fishermen are usually educated against the use of chemicals and under-sized nets since these would deplete the water bodies of some fish species. For instance in January 2002, meetings were held with fishermen and fishmongers at Wiesi and Asubalik.  Issues that came up included lack of support for fishermen in terms of supply of inputs and also the need to empower fishermen to arrest people using unorthodox fishing methods.  Another issue that came up was the restriction to fishing in some waters by the local authorities.

A meeting was held with the chief and people of Gbedembilisi on the 5th of April 2002 after reports reached the District office that some people in Gbedembilisi with the help of outsiders were using chemicals in fishing.  At the meeting the people were educated on the hazards of such practices to their environment and also to their source of livelihood.  The relevant laws prohibiting the practice was read and explained to them after which they were cautioned that should any such report reach the office the chief would be held responsible and the matter would be handed over to the Police for the necessary legal action to be taken.

Sampling Of Dams

To determine the predominant fish species produced in the Builsa district 3 LACOSREP I dams that were stocked in 2000 were sampled for study.  Generally prices have remained stable over the period for 2002 with monthly fluctuations of between –5.3% and + 10.0%.  However when compared with the same period 2001 prices have changed drastically with prices for the major cereals changing between 117-149%. Despite the stable prices for the year most households run out of food stocks by the end of June 2002 with the result that most people are feeding once or twice a day.  This situation results in insufficient and unbalanced dietary intake.

Agricultural Equipment Situation

Most of the tractors are old and break down frequently. LACOSREP I rehabilitated 4 dams at Wiaga and 1 at Gbedema Dabomsa.  Fiisa dam situated at Sandema was partly rehabilitated by ADRA. LACOSREP II is to rehabilitate a dam each at Wiaga, Kasiesa (Fumbisi), Kanjarga, Namonsa (Chuchuliga), and Chansa and construct a new dam at Kunkwak (Gbedema); Dam works are scheduled to begin on the Longsa and Kunkwak sites.

Plant Diseases And Pests

Pests and diseases observed during field surveillance include Aphids, scale insects, fruit bores, beetles, pepper mosaic and viral diseases of pepper. For instance in 2002 these pets and diseases were observed at the irrigable sites and also on individual gardens along the riverbanks. Other problems observed included the destructive effects of cotton strainers, millipedes, termites and ants that affect the germination of planted seed. In most cases farmers are advised to use certified seed, observe field sanitation and rotate crops.  They are also advised to spray using approved chemicals at the recommended rates e.g., Karate 2 5 E C, Kocidde).

Insect Pheromone Trap

The trap is usually set in first week of May and monitored until the outbreak of the Armyworm. In 2002 however, the trap could not register significant catches before the sudden outbreak of the Armyworm.  This brings to the fore the need to adopt other surveillance methods in addition to the setting of the trap to enable early detection of pets and diseases as part of the early warning system.

Armyworm Outbreak in 2002

An outbreak of Armyworm (Spodoptere Exempta) was reported on the 7th of May 2002 from Doninga, Wiaga, Sandema and Siniensi.  In all a total area of 790 (Ha) made up of 314 (Ha) cropped and 476Ha were affected.

Effect on Crops

Because of the delayed rains most fields were not planted at the time of the outbreak.  However, in areas that had some amount of rainfall cereals such as millet and sorghum were destroyed especially at Wiaga.  The affected area was 314 Ha. Root and Tuber Improvement Programme (RTIP). Under this the Builsa District Agric Development Unit is collaborating with RTIP to promote the multiplication and distribution of two sweet potato varieties: SAUTI and FAARA to farmers.

The objective of the programme is to develop a sustainable system of multiplication and distribution of good quality planting stock in order to increase their availability and adoption and consequently yield per unit area of sweet potato. In Builsa sweet potato vines have been distributed to one hundred and sixty (160) tertiary farmers in the communities of Wiaga, Sandema, Chuchuliga, Fumbisi, Kadema, Gbedema, Wiesi and Gbedembilisi.  Also RTIP has provided vines to enable the DADU carry out a farmer training and demonstration at Wiaga. Increased cultivation of sweet potato would enhance food security and also serve as a source of employment and income generation for the people of the District.

The Agricultural department is collaborating with ADRA in the area of Agro forestry.  Under ADRA’S seven-year food security programme, the following communities were selected to benefit from the programme in the Builsa District.  Unfortunately due to the lack of commitment on the part of the Gbedema community ADRA’S support to it has been withdrawn.  All the remaining communities that completed their input request forms have been provided with seed, fertilizer and support for ploughing.  MOFA and ADRA staff would provide technical and monitoring support to ensure the success of the programme.

ADRA will continue to support the old groups located at Longsa, Kandema, Sinyansa, Siniensi and Kobdema based on their loan repayment levels.

MOFA is collaborating with SRMP at Kadema in the area of poverty alleviation.  This involves the promotion of community management of natural resources through capacity building, interventions in the area of agro-forestry, soil fertility improvement, livestock improvement and environmental improvement.

Millet / Sorghum Transplanting/Priming-Savanna Agricultural
Research Institute (SARI) / MOFA collaboration. The department is working with SARI in the area of sorghum and millet transplanting.  The purpose of the projects to minimize the risk of crop failure, patchy stands and cost of replanting.  Under the programme selected farmers are encouraged to nurse sorghum and millet in the weeks preceding the main season for transplanting when the rains begin in earnest.  This would enable farmers’ harvest early in order to bridge the hunger gap as a result of the early take off of the nursed plants.

The above trials are in the second year with the inclusion of seed priming where seed is soaked in water 12- 14 hours before sowing to enhance early germination. The number of farmers per technology in each of the communities is as follows. Because of the unfavourable rainfall pattern most of the nurseries have overgrown especially at Fumbisi.  As a result late millet and sorghum are likely to be the crops to be transplanted. Early Millet Varietal trials with SARI (Manga).  A total 23 farmers have been distributed with 5 varieties of early millet for on farm testing.  10 farmers are testing the Manga Naara while 2-3 farmers are testing the rest of the varieties.  The locations are Kanjarga, Chuchuliga, Fumbisi, Wiaga and Sandema.

UNCIEF

Under the integrated community based development programme (ICBDP) MOFA is working to achieve sustainable household food security with emphasis on utilization and consumption.  This is being done through farmer training and demonstration on the utilization of sweet potatoes and other legumes to improve on household nutrition.

Village Infrastructure Project (VIP)

Under VIP MOFA is working in collaboration with the District Assembly in the areas of small water schemes, rural transport and capacity building.  Applications for dam rehabilitation and construction received from Nyansa, Kaljiisa and Kandema have been forwarded to the V.I.P coordinator for necessary action.

Food Balance Sheet Analysis

From the production and yield figures, it is observed that except for rice which has shown some increase over the years all the other cereals have not shown any significant change in these indicators and have also performed below the potential yield for the region which ranges from 1.2 T/HA for sorghum millet, 1.8 for maize and groundnuts and 2.5 for rice. Currently production for the various stapler crops ranges between 0.5 – 1.1 T/HA.   Also except for rice which has shown some increase in production and to some extent guinea corn, all the other crops have either remained at the same production level or increased slightly. For guinea corn the increase in area under cultivation seems to match the level of production, however, the yield is very low.

The figures for the food balance sheet for 1998 indicate that the surplus of 33,300 MT was obtained while that of 1999 deficit was as a result of the armyworm invasion and the floods that affected the district. The figures show that the district is subject to the vagaries of the weather and other natural occurrences. Also out of  the surplus recorded about 50% is used to meet expenses like funerals, health, education and other household maintenance needs. Thus to improve the standard of living of our farmers there is the need to produce enough to cater not only for consumption needs but also for other socio-economic needs. The food balance sheets were drawn based on an over estimated District population of 103,340. Using the same staple food production figures of 1999 for the current District Population of 75,375 (2000 census data), the food requirements (main staples) can predict the food situation in the next 5 years using the annual population growth of about 1% for the district.

Taking that on the overage every person in the District will require 125 kg of the staple foods i.e. of millet, sorghum, rice and maize in a year.
 125 kg x 75,375    = 9,421,875 kg
  = 9,421.875 MT
            
1999 PRODUCTION

    Millet        =    536.4
    Sorghum   =    14,313.6
    Rice         =    26,694
    Maize       =   3.8
                     ------------   
Total Production  =  41,864.8 MT.   
Less 30% Post Harvest Losses  = 12,559.4 MT
Net Domestic Production  =    29,305.4 MT

Total Consumption need of the population of
75,375 = 125 kg x 75,375 = 9,535.55
Surplus = 19,769.9 MT
Also out of any surplus recorded about 50% is used to meet other household needs e.g. Funerals, health, education, sacrifices and dowries, etc.

50% of surplus Production of 19,769.9 MT. = 9,884.6 MT

• Requirements for seeds / planting material, land preparation, labour etc. would consume the remaining 50% of the surplus production = 9,884.6 MT.
• From these calculations, there would be nil production to meet emergencies like floods, famine, epidemics etc.

Issues

1. Considering the fact that this analysis is based on a year with good harvest and production levels then it goes without saying that the state of the Districts Food Balance is critical.
2. Gross production of staple foods is generally low as compared to that of the region.
3. Post harvest losses are too high (about 30%) there by reducing the gross production and leading to precarious food situation.
4. By tradition people tend to play down the nutritional needs of household members in order to satisfy some pressing social demands e.g. Funerals, sacrifices, etc.this leads to malnutrition especially among children and nursing mothers.
5. In years of bad weather none of the above needs can be met from crop production.  This makes the food security situation even more critical.

Looking at the overall food insecurity situation, various factors/ causes come into play:

General Causes Of Low Production

• Poor degraded soils with striga infestation.
• Negative human activities like bush burning and crop residue burning.
• Continuous cropping associated with the compound farming.
• Improper land and water management practices.
• Low nutrient and organic content of soils
• Low usage of improved crop varieties as well as low adoption of new and improved farming technologies on composting and use of farmyard manure.
• Predominance of the hand-hoe cultivation method.
• Labour constraints
• Erratic rainfall pattern.
• Crop pests and diseases.
• Too much dependence on rainfall agriculture
• Low and untimely availability of credit
• High Post harvest losses.
• Low and untimely credit

High Post Harvest Losses

Types: -From the field level
           -Household level storage.

Levels of Storage
Household level – use of local mud constructed barns

1. Stalk woven crips smeared with cow dung
2. Use of pots often covered and sealed with cow dung.
3. Use of gourds (calabashes).
4. Use of jute and polyphone sacks.
5. Community level (Grain banking stores)
6. Use of mud brick constructed rooms / or with sand-crete foundations roofed with either grass or non-sheets.
7. Use of jute sacks and polyphone bags.
8. District level structures.
9. Farmers service centre stores constructed with zinc or cement blocks – A total of 11 in number, are in very deplorable state and also are inaccessible for use by community members.

Problems associated with the various storage structures

• The local barns generally have poor foundation; very thin walls can collapse during the heavy rains.  Generally susceptible to termite and other insect infestations commonly to leakages from the top.  They can not hold grain for over 6 months
• In adequate and poor level treatment with chemicals or local herbs during storage.

Strategies to Improving the Storage Systems

1. Construction of improved silos / crips etc.
2. Training and demonstrations on the construction and use of the improved silos (FTDs)
3. Provision/ construction of drying floors.
4. Introduction of sealed containers.

General Causes

• Late harvesting from the field.
• Could also arise from harvesting of immature crops.
• Inadequate drying to the required moisture level.
• Inadequate processing (threshing, communing etc wastage during these processes.
• In appropriate storage technology as mentioned above.

Strategy

1. Training and demonstrations on Post harvest technologies (FTDs)
2. Training and demonstrations on improved storage technologies (FTDs)

Population Pressure And Declining Soil Fertility

The District has a total land area of 2,220 km2 (222,000 hectares), which is mainly arable. The forest reserves total 25,000 ha.  Area currently under cultivation is about 37,000 ha., whilst others including the uncultivated area is 147,000 ha. The population density as projected in the 2000 census is estimated at 34 persons per km2. Agricultural holders as at 1999 season were 17,808.  Comparing this figure with the total arable land and what is currently under cultivation, the District still has abundant agricultural land and therefore there is no population pressure on land. However, some very crucial factors come to play as regards land use, which militate against high agricultural productivity.

Inappropriate land use Methods

• Continuous cropping associated with the compound farming.
• Bush burning and crop residue burning .
• Indiscriminate tree felling for fuel wood and charcoal burning.
• Inappropriate land preparation/ tillage methods such as ploughing along slopes.
• Use of tractors (top soils are thin).
• Inappropriate use of soil improvement technologies as FYM compost, crop rotation, covers cropping, alley cropping etc.
• Soil erosion (sheet and gully).
• Non-practice of soil and water conservation methods.

Strategies

1. Community sensitization
2. Farmer training and demonstrations on terracing, strip cropping, tree boundary planting, and buffer strip.
3. Tie ridging.
4. Participatory Technology Training on sustainable farming.
5. Intensification of animal traction technology.
6. Establishment of woodlots and alley cropping systems.
7. Practice of crop rotation.
8. Training and demonstrations on the use of A- frame in contouring and bonding.

Weak Agricultural Extension Services

With the decentralization of the Agric Ministry, the District as a whole is divided in to 3 Agricultural Zones each under the supervision of 1 DADO who supervises 8 AEAs. Under the system each AEA is responsible for 800 farmers.  The farmer’s population in 1999 was 17,808, which meant that each AEA was responsible for 742 farmers instead of 800. Once AEA – farmer ratio is not the only yardstick for efficient and effective extension services, the main problems with the system are the following problems.

• Very inadequate logistics- transport, field equipment, stationery etc.
• Inadequate staff training and motivation.

Strategies

1. Need for improved government funding (amount and times of funding releases)
2. Improve funding for planned training schedules
3. Inadequate staff motivation

Inadequate Provision Of Credit

The District is well endowed with various sources from which farmers can source credit.

• BUCOBANK
• Freedom From Hunger
• Poverty Alleviation Fund (District Assembly)
• LACOSREP
• VIP
• MICRO Project
• Catholic Church.
• Presby Agric Station
• Youth in Agric Project

The main problems related to credit acquisition include

1. Inadequate customer awareness of existing facilities.
2. Poor perception of beneficiaries towards loans.
3. Untimely delivery of credit
4. Attitude of loan beneficiaries towards repayments (poor recoveries).
5. High cost of credit (high interest rates)

Strategy

• Intensify awareness creation of existence of credit facilities.
• Conditions for obtaining loan credit under each facility.
• Promotion of groups and strengthening of the groups.
• Training of loan beneficiary groups in-group dynamics, credit management entrepreneurial skills development, record / bookkeeping.
• Strengthening the supervision and monitoring of beneficiary activities.

Erratic Rainfall Pattern And Over Dependence On Natural Conditions

Of late except in 1997 when both the amount and the distribution of rains were critical problems (658.4 mm received over 57 wet days), the total amount since then is not the problem as to its distribution.

1. The pattern has charged from early to late – March to late April or May.
2. Concentrates in a few months during the season.
3. Stops early or a bit late.  Therefore is very generally unpredictable.

Effects

• Late planting.
• Traditional long duration crop varieties not able to perform well under the short rainfall period
• Description of weed control
• To heavy rains during crop flowering and fertilization
• Rains disrupt harvesting and proper drying (early millet and early-planted cowpeas)
• Inadequate rains during budding
• Incidence of pests and diseases as spitting bugs, fungi, etc.

Strategy

1. Increasing the organic matter content of soils
2. Use of early maturing crop varieties
3. Drying out staggered planting
4. Provision of irrigation facilities other than only dams and dugouts, (water pumps, hand dugout wells, tube wells etc.)
5. Promoting and encouraging seed growers
6. Promoting and intensifying afforestation activities
7. Water harvesting.

High Cost Of Agric Inputs

• Low use of inputs (quantities below recommended rates/ %.)
• Untimely use of inputs
• Unavailability of approved inputs
• Use of cheap and un-recommended inputs
• Encouraging private entrepreneurship in the sale and distribution of inputs
• Supporting and training local blacksmiths.

Inadequate Animal Husbandry Services

1. Poor animal housing, feeding and watering
2. Poor animal management practices
3. Low adoption of improved animal production technologies.

Strategy

• Farmer Training and Demonstration (FTD) on housing, feeding and watering
• Introduction of leguminous fodder – grasses, trees, alfalfa, etc.
• Provision of animal watering joints
• Over sowing of communal grazing grounds
• Training of community livestock workers (CLWs)

High Incidence Of Pests And Diseases
Crop Pests and Disease

1. Pests and disease infestations in the field and in storage
2. Reduction in quality and quantity crop output.
3. Reduction in yield
4. Reduction in house hold consumption income
5. Increase in household malnutrition

Animal Pests and Disease

• High mortality and mobility rates
• Loss in production
• Reduction in both quality and quantity of meat
• Reduction in household income
• Low protein in take and insurgence of malnutrition

Strategy
Crop Pests and Diseases

• 1PM/FPS Training
• Use of resistant crop varieties
• Use of appropriate cultural practices
• Use of crop rotation
• Practice mixed cropping
• Timely planting
• Timely harvesting
• Timely spraying
• Training on safe use of chemicals
• Training in the use of natural protectants (botanicals)
• Training in farm planning and designing
• Provision and setting up of early warning systems.
• Establishment of FTDs

Animal Pests and Diseases

1. Training on detection of signs of animal health
2. Training of CLWS
3. Establish animal health care joints
4. Make available the necessary drugs
5. Intensify properly lasses measures.
6. Encourage dry season supplementary feeding

General Causes Of Low Production

• Poor degraded soils with striga infestation
• Negative human activities like bush burning and crop residue burning
• Continuous cropping associated with the compound farming
• Improper land and water management practices
• Low nutrient and organic content of soils
• Low usage of improved crop varieties as well as low adoption of new and improved farming technologies on composting and use of farmyard manure
• Predominance of the hand-hoe cultivation method
• Labour constraints
• Erratic rainfall pattern
• Infestation of pests and diseases
• Over dependence on rainfall agriculture
• Low and untimely availability of credit
• High Post harvest losses
• Low and untimely credit
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• High Post Harvest Loss

Types: -From the field level
           -Household level storage.

Levels of Storage
Household level – use of local mud constructed barns

1. Stalk woven crips smeared with cow dung
2. Use of pots often covered and sealed with cow dung.
3. Use of gourds (calabashes).
4. Use of jute and polyphone sacks.

Community level (Grain banking stores)

• Use of mud brick constructed rooms / or with sand-Crete foundations roofed with either grass or non-sheets.
• Use of jute sacks and polyphone bags.
• District level structures.
• Farmers service centre stores constructed with zinc or cement blocks – A total of 11 in number, are in very deplorable state and also are inaccessible for use by community members.

Problems associated with the various storage structures

1. The local barns generally have poor foundation; very thin walls can collapse during the heavy rains.  Generally susceptible to termite and other insect infestations commonly to leakages from the top.  They can not hold grain for over 6 months
2. In adequate and poor level treatment with chemicals or local herbs during storage.

Strategies to Improving the Storage Systems

• Construction of improved silos / crips etc.
• Training and demonstrations on the construction and use of the improved silos (FTDs)
• Provision/ construction of drying floors.
• Introduction of sealed containers.

General Causes

1. Late harvesting from the field.
2. Could also arise from harvesting of immature crops.
3. Inadequate drying to the required moisture level.
4. Inadequate processing (threshing, communing etc wastage during these processes.
5. In appropriate storage technology as mentioned above.

Strategy

Training and demonstrations on Post harvest technologies (FTDs)
Training and demonstrations on improved storage technologies (FTDs)

Population Pressure And Declining Soil Fertility

The District has a total land area of 2,220 km2 (222,000 hectares), which is mainly arable. The forest reserves total 25,000 ha.  Area currently under cultivation is about 37,000 ha., whilst others including the uncultivated area is 147,000 ha.

The population density as projected in the 2000 census is estimated at 34 persons per km2. Agricultural holders as at 1999 season were 17,808.  Comparing this figure with the total arable land and what is currently under cultivation, the District still has abundant agricultural land and therefore there is no population pressure on land. However, some very crucial factors come to play as regards land use, which militate against high agricultural productivity.

Very inappropriate land use methods

• Continuous cropping associated with the compound farming.
• Bush burning and crop residue burning
• Indiscriminate tree felling for fuel wood and charcoal burning.
• Inappropriate land preparation/ tillage methods such as ploughing along slopes.
• Use of tractors (top soils are thin)
• Inappropriate use of soil improvement technologies as FYM compost, crop rotation, covers cropping, alley cropping etc.
• Soil erosion (sheet and gully)
• Non-practice of soil and water conservation methods.

Strategies

1. Community sensitisation
2. Farmer training and demonstrations on terracing, strip cropping, tree boundary planting, and buffer strip.
3. Tie ridging.
4. Participatory Technology Training on sustainable farming.
5. Intensification of animal traction technology.
6. Establishment of woodlots and alley cropping systems.
7. Practice of crop rotation.
8. Training and demonstrations on the use of A- frame in contouring and bonding.