A PUBLICATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

http://www.meas-extension.org/meas-offers/best-practice







The paper is titled Adaptation under the "New Normal" of climate change: the future for Agricultural Extension and Advisory service (2014).This latest publication is informative and educative.

PEN AND CAGE FISH CULTURE IN GHANA

The Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) in its quest to promote and support the youth in taking to Agriculture as a business and a sustainable livelihood, provides Agricultural Advisory Service and Agribusiness development training on fish farming to many young people in Ghana.

This initiative by SavaNet is geared towards equipping interested youth with the requisite technical skills and knowledge on fish farming to enable them create decent jobs, as they contribute in addressing the annual fish production deficit in Ghana.

The engagement of the youth in fish farming will also support the country in increasing its per capita consumption of fish as well as increasing the contribution of the fisheries sub-sector to Ghana’s GDP.

The per capita consumption of fish in Ghana is estimated
at 25 kg per annum

Pen and cage fish culture remains essential in inland fish production as these systems offers the youth a convenient way of engaging in commercial fish production.

Pens can be constructed with frameworks of wood, bamboo, metal, etc, on which netting or other fencing materials are stretched to form an enclosure.

 The netting is fixed to the bottom of the water to prevent fish from swimming under it. This can be done by using pegs or sand bags.

The mesh of net used for the pen should be small enough to prevent the fingerlings from escaping. The framework of cages can be made from readily available construction materials such as PVC pipes, wood, steel, bamboo, nets, drums, polystyrene floats etc. The cage units should be built to withstand prevailing winds and waves in the water.

Pen Culture: It is the system of culturing fish within a fixed net enclosure either at the bank or in a water body. The bed of the water body serves as the bottom of the pen.

Good water exchange is essential in both pen and cage culture to ensure a replenishment of oxygen and flash away waste. In this regard, pens should be placed in such a way that flow of water through them is enhanced, while cages should have sufficient space between their bottom and the bottom of the water body.

The Advantages of Pen/Cane Culture are:

1. Existing water bodies can be used.

2. Lower capital cost compared with land-based fish culture.

3. Easier stock management and monitoring compared to pond culture.

4. Growth of fish in pens and cages is faster than in ponds.

The most popular pen and cage culture species in Ghana has been Tilapia, however other species such as Catfish, Carp Heterotis, etc could be stocked in cages.

Stocking rates in pens and cages depend on the fish species and the carrying capacity of the water body. 

Tilapia can be stocked in pens at the rate of 30-50 fingerlings per m³. It is advisable to fix the netting so that the meshes open horizontally rather than vertical.

Cage culture: It is the system of culturing fish within floating net enclosures, with each supported by a framework in water bodies such as borrow pits, rivers, streams, reservoirs or lakes. Cages could be rectangular, square or circular in surface area.

Culture periods depend mainly on water quality, the type of species, and quality of feed. For tilapia and catfish the culture period is between 6 and 10 months.

Pens and cages attract predators like birds, crocodiles, predatory fish, mammals, Poaching, etc. Measures should therefore be put in place to address these challenges in order to control losses in both pan and cage systems of fish production.

 Fish cage culture

The establishment of any cage culture facility in Ghana requires a permit which is a legal requirement. Furthermore, an Environmental impact assessment may be required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana.

The Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) therefore recommends pen and cage fish culture to the youth as these systems provides several opportunities in the creation of decent jobs, the establishment of viable Agribusiness ventures etc which will contribute in curtailing the surging level of youth unemployment in Ghana.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF SOIL BIODIVERSITY IN FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

As the world have come to the reality of the increasing impact of climate change on Agriculture and the society at large, the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) will like to draw the attention of farmers, Agricultural Extension experts, Agricultural development professionals etc to the influential role of soil biodiversity in serving as a defense system against climate change in order to maintain the fertility of the soil to ensure the productivity of crops and animals.

These informative issues on soil biodiversity will thus provide the much the needed education in order to promote our increased commitment in managing the soil to strengthen its ability to support plant and animal life in the wake of climate change.

 Did you know that….????? 

1. One hectare of soil contains the equivalent in weight of one cow of bacteria, two sheep of protozoa and four rabbits of soil fauna.

2. There are typically one (1) billion bacteria cells and about 10,000 different genomes in one gram of soil.

3. Every year, soil organisms process an amount of organic matter equivalent in weight to 25 cars on a surface area as big as a soccer field.

4. Only 1% of soil microorganism species are known.

5. Fungal biodiversity has been conservatively estimated at 1.5 million species.

6. Earth worms often form the major part of soil fauna biodiversity, representing up to 60% in some ecosystems.

7. Soil biodiversity helps fight climate change due to their ability to rapidly multiply with a strong defensive mechanism.

8. The elimination of earthworm population can reduce the water infiltration rate in soil by up to 93%.

9. The improper management of soil biodiversity worldwide has been estimated to cause a loss of 1 trillion dollars per year.

10. The use of pesticides causes a loss of more than 8 billion dollars per year.

11. Some nematodes hunt for small animals by building various types of traps, such as rings or produce adhesive subsistence to entrap and to colonise their prey.

12. Several sol organisms can help plants fight against above ground pest and herbivores.

13. Termites have air conditioning in their nests.

14. Bacteria population can double in 20 minutes.

15. Soil bacteria can produce antibiotics.

16. Soil microorganisms can be dispersed over kilometers.

Following the essential role that soil biodiversity play in supporting the soil fight the increasing effect of climate change, it is important for farmers to be educated on the influential role of soil biodiversity in order to promote their adoption of best agronomic practices to support the life of soil biodiversity for sustainable Agricultural production.

The Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) under its climate smart Agricultural project therefore offers Agricultural advisory service on climate smart Agricultural practices that is aimed at equipping farmers with the requisite knowledge to enable them engage in sustainable Agricultural production.

NEWS FROM THE FARMERS

Small Holder Farmers Benefit from the Climate Change Adaptation in Northern Ghana Enhancement (CHANGE) Project

As farmers and Agricultural development professionals have come to the reality of the impact of climate change on Agricultural productivity, several climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions are been employed to promote climate smart Agricultural practices in Ghana.

It is in this regard that the Canadian Feed the Children (CFC) in collaboration with Farm Radio International and the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS) is implementing the Climate Change Adaptation in Northern Ghana Enhancement (CHANGE) project; aimed at developing the capacity of farmers and to reduce their vulnerability to climate change.

Owing to the implementation of the CHANGE project in Northern Ghana, some small holder farmers in five communities in the Savelugu Nanton Municipality have adapted to climate smart Agricultural practices to address the increasing effects of climate change on their productivity.

Some of the farmers explained that although their communities recorded low rains in the last farming season, their yield increased significantly due to the training they received on good agronomic practices and climate resilience.

Beneficiary farmers mentioned this during the presentation of over twenty five (25) silos by the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS) to five communities in the Savalugu Nanton district.

The presentation of silos to the communities formed part of the implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation in Northern Ghana Enhancement (CHANGE) project, jointly implemented by the Canadian Feed the Children (CFC), Farm Radio International and the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS).

In a success story, Madam Awalbu Lansah, a 40 year old farmer said, her maize yield has increased from 4 maxi bags per acre to 10 maxi bags per acre. The yield increase has improved her livelihood, the nutrition of her family and the community members at large. As a farmer, she is now well informed about climate smart Agricultural practices owing to the interventions by the CHANGE project.

Mr. Mohamed Kamel Damam, Project Coordinator of the CHANGE project, who handed over the silos to the beneficiary communities, explained that the facility was part of efforts by the project to ensure food security in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Mr. Damam, said the CHANGE project, which was funded by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will benefit Zoosali, Tindang, Kpachilo, Langa and Yilikpani with series of capacity development trainings.

Abdulai Imoro, a beneficiary of the project on behalf of the farmers expressed their gratitude to the CHANGE project and said the facility would help address their challenge of post-harvest losses.

AN INTERVIEW WITH A YOUNG FARMER ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE SAVANNAH YOUNG FARMERS NETWORK (SAVANET) TO HIS SUCCESS IN FARMING

The Savannah Young Farmers Network
(SavaNet)

INTRODUCTION

This interactive interview highlights the contribution of the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) to the success story of a young farmer (Dominic Akansiki) in the Upper East Region of Northern Ghana. It therefore brings to light the key role that the Savannah Young Farmers Network plays in developing the capacity of young farmers to ensure their active engagement in Agriculture.

This informative farmer interview will therefore motivate other youth across the ACP and the world at large to take to Agriculture as a sustainable livelihood in order to curtail the surging level of Global youth unemployment and the increasing challenge of food insecurity. This interview was conducted and complied by Hawa Musah, a volunteer with the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet).

An Interview with a young farmer

Interviewer: How long have you been engaged in farming as a business and what was your motivation?

Farmer Akansiki: I was introduced to farming on our family farm at childhood during which I contributed to subsistence farming activities eg: planting, harvesting, scaring birds etc. I however started farming on commercial scale after my University education where I pursued a Bsc in Agricultural Technology (Agronomy) from the University for Development Studies (UDS).

I started faming with the cultivation of food crops such as: Mize, Rice, Beans and Millet with an average land size of five (5) hectares for the cultivation of each of these crops. I currently cultivate these and other crops with an average of fifteen (15) hectares per crop in farming communities across the Upper East Region of Northern Ghana. I also rear animals such as Goats, Sheep and Pigs as well as Poultry, Guinea Fowls and Ducks.

I was motivated to take to farming as a Business when I identified a business opportunity where produce buying companies and produce Aggregators could not obtain the quantity of produce required for the local and international market, due to the inability of the Ageing farmer population to increase their productivity to take advantage of the available market.

Interviewer: What were the opportunities and challenges you encountered when you decided to take to farming as a Business?

Farmer Akansiki: The main opportunity I had when I decided to take to farming as a Business was an available market where produce buying companies and produce Aggregators could not obtain the quantity of produce required for the local and international market.

Another opportunity I had was the discovery of the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) which offered me the technical guidance and capacity development required to enable me actively engage in farming as a sustainable livelihood.

The main challenge I encountered was the lack of startup capital to pay for the lease of farm land, purchase seed, fertilizer, insecticides and the payment for Agricultural mechanization service.

Interviewer: How did you address these challenges in order to become successful in farming as a business?

Farmer Akansiki: Owing to my determination to become a successful entrepreneur in farming, I addressed the challenge of my inability to raise funds to pay for the lease of farm land and mechanization service by negotiating with the land lords and mechanization service providers to pay them with a percentage of my farm produce.

Taking advantage of the government of Ghana subsidy on fertilizer, I obtained some financial assistance from some family members to purchase the required fertilizer and weedicides for my first year of production.

With the financial assistance I obtained from some family members, I also paid for farm labour and other expenses concerning the day to day activities on the farms.

Interviewer: How has the delivery of Agricultural Extension Service by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) improved your productivity as a farmer?

Farmer Akansiki: Indeed the delivery of Agricultural extension service by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) to my farming enterprise has contributed significantly in improving the productivity of my farms.

SavaNet has over the years delivered demand driven Agricultural extension service to my farming enterprise among which include: best Agronomic practices, best Animal husbandry practices, soil fertility management, climate smart Agricultural practices, Agricultural market access, post harvest management, Agricultural financing, farm management etc.

SavaNet’s participatory approach in its Agricultural extension service has also enabled us to effectively participate in the development of Agricultural extension content in order to make the content of Agricultural extension much more relevant in addressing the challenges my out growers and I encounter in our farming activities.

The approach by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) in engaging community based Agricultural extension agents has further enhanced my access to Agricultural advisory service to address the challenges by out growers and I encounter in our farming activities.

The delivery of demand driven and participatory Agricultural extension service by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) has therefore greatly influenced my success in farming.

Interviewer: How has the promotion of market access by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (Savanet) improved the productivity and profitability of your farming venture?

Farmer Akansiki: The promotion of market access by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) has greatly improved upon the productivity and profitability of my farming venture, as it has developed my capacity on the development of: produce purchase agreement, conducting basic market analysis, equipping me with up to date market information, Advocacy on market access etc.

The commitment by SavaNet in the promotion of market access has therefore enabled me to produce market driven crops and animals in order to attract good market price to enhance my productivity and profitability.

Interviewer: How has the Agricultural value chain development activities by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) improved  the productivity and profitability of your farming venture?

Farmer Akansiki: The Agricultural value chain development initiative by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) of which I am a member has contributed greatly in developing several Agricultural value chains that have provided me the opportunity to have a reliable access to production inputs/services such as: land, Agro chemicals, mechanization service, funding from financial institutions, improved access to market, effective transportation system etc.

These Agricultural value chains have also offered me the platform to interact and share ideas with stakeholders in the Agriculture sector thereby providing me with the network needed to expand my farming venture for increased productivity and profitability.

The initiative by SavaNet in facilitating the development of Agricultural value chains have therefore played an important role in my ability to effectively take to Agriculture as a business.

Interviewer: What are your views on the climate change advocacy and climate smart Agricultural initiatives by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet)?

Farmer Akansiki: I attend several climate change advocacy activities by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) which has offered me the platform to learn about the growing effect of climate change on society and Agriculture in particular.

These innovative climate change advocacy initiatives by SavaNet has thus developed my capacity to be a climate change advocate in my farming communities to educate other farmers and community members on the need to work towards addressing the challenge of climate change.

I have also benefited from farmer training programs on climate smart Agricultural practices during which I learnt about the best practices that can be adopted to ensue sustainable Agricultural production with less effect on the environment in order to mitigate the effect of climate change on the environment and Agriculture at large.

The initiatives on climate change advocacy and climate smart Agricultural practices by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) have therefore transformed me in to a friend of the Environment as I under take my farming activities.

Interviewer: The Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) have over the years implemented innovative ICT4Ag initiatives. How has these initiatives contributed in improving the productivity of your farming venture?

Farmer Akansiki: The Audio conferencing for Agricultural Extension  (ACE) project by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) has for some time now offered my out growers and I Agricultural Advisory Service via Audio Conferencing mobile Application.

This ICT4Ag initiative by SavaNet has significantly improved my access to demand driven Agricultural Extension Service as it has offered the platform to regularly interact with various Agricultural technical officers and Researchers in order to receive up to date information on best Agronomic practices, innovative farming technology etc.

Under the ICT4Ag initiatives by the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet), I have also received capacity development on the use of GPS and its information, farm accounting and book-keeping using computer programs, under taking farm budgeting using ICT applications, developing farm calendar using ICT programs etc.

The capacity development received is helping in the development of my farming venture to enable me increase production and employ more youth to help address the increasing challenge of youth unemployment in Ghana.

Interviewer: As we celebrate 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) what is your experience on family farming?

Farmer Akansiki: Family farming provided me the opportunity to get involved in farming to learn the basics on what it takes to effectively utilize the factors of production to increase production and maximize profit.

I was involved in family farming at an early age under taking farming activities on both our nucleus and extended family farms which produced enough food to meet the family food security and help in raising money to support the family.

Family farming therefore played a key role in influencing my decision to take to farming as a business. The declaration of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), will thus offer family farming the support it requires to sustain its relevance in securing the food security of many households and communities in Ghana, Africa and the world at large.

Interviewer: What Message do you have for other young farmers and the youth regarding taking to Agriculture as a business?

Farmer Akansiki: I will like to encourage other young farmers to work towards developing their farming enterprises with investment and periodic capacity development in farming as a business, in order to become successful entrepreneurs in Agriculture.

I will also like to urge the youth to take to Agriculture as a sustainable livelihood and a business, as farming offers diverse opportunities to become a successful entrepreneur with the creation of jobs and job opportunities.

Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your experience as a young entrepreneur in Agriculture.

Farmer Akansiki: You are welcome. Once again I am grateful to the Savannah Young Farmers Network for its influence on my success as a farmer.

NEWS ON THE 29TH FARMERS DAY CELEBRATION IN GHANA

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) with the support of other institutions marked the 29^th farmer’s day celebrations in Sogakope in the Volta Region of Ghana under the theme: Reducing post harvest losses for sustainable food security and nutrition.

The 29^th farmer’s day had as the guest of honour H.E. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur the vice president of Ghana. In attendance were other government officials and Agricultural development professionals.

The 2013 National Best Farmer went to Alhaji Awudu Karim, a sixty-year old commercial farmer from the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region.

For his prize, Alhaji Karim received a  three-bedroom fully furnished house to be built at a place of his choice, a 5kv generator set, one jumbo polytank, a one year life and property insurance and a fully paid trip abroad among others.

Alhaji Awudu Karim (Middle) 2013 National Best Farmer,
flanked on his left by H.E Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur,
Vice President of Ghana and on the right by Hon.
Clement Kofi Humado, Minister for Food and
Agriculture.

Abdulai Antiku Seidu of Nadowli District in the Upper West Region and Edward Maxwell Aninkorah from the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti region came as 2^nd and 3^rd National Best Farmers for 2013 and received a tractor and its matching implements and a double cabin pick-up respectively as their prize.

Kwame Gyan from Apam in the Central Region won the National Best Fisherman and received a double cabin pick-up and fishing gear as his prize. Egya Kwesi from Ahanta West district of the Western Region and Christopher Letsa, of Biakoye District in the Volta Region came 2^nd and 3^rd National Best fishermen respectively.

For their prizes, they both received an outboard motor, double deck freezers, fishing gears, products from Guinness Brewery Ghana Limited among others.

Other National award winners include Alhaji Yakubu Jagaji from the Sisala West District of the Upper West Region who was adjudged the National Best Livestock Farmer and received a tractor and trailer as his prize.

As the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) continues to roll out innovative youth in Agriculture development initiatives, SavaNet is optimistic that many more young farmers will become award winners during upcoming farmer’s day celebrations in Ghana to motivate other youth to become actively engaged in Agriculture.

The Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) therefore recommends the institution of an award category aimed at recognizing and awarding the best young farmer of the year with award packages of Agricultural machinery and other production inputs as well as the needed capacity development to ensure their engagement in Agriculture as a sustainable livelihood for increased Agricultural production.

The Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) will like to congratulate all award winners of the 29^th farmer’s day celebration for their commitment in working towards ensuring the food security of Ghana over the years. You are our heroes.

THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE SAVANNAH YOUNG FARMERS NETWORK (SAVANET) THAT PROMOTES THE ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF THE GHANAIAN YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE.

As a farmer centered Non-governmental organization, the organizational structure of the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) has been technically structured to actively engage Ghanaian young farmers and the youth in Agriculture for the establishment of viable Agribusinesses across the Agricultural value chain.

The organizational structure of SavaNet therefore offers the Ghanaian young farmer an innovative platform to:

1. Influence project formulation and Implementation.

2. Engage in organizational planning and management.

3. Receive demand driven and participatory Agricultural Extension service.

4. Develop viable farmer based groups.

5. Introduce farmers to innovative ICT4Ag innovations for increased productivity and profitability.

6. Engage in the development of viable Agricultural value chains to promote their active engagement in Agriculture.

7. Promote the marketing and value addition of Agricultural produce.

8. Become Nucleus farmers and out growers with commercial scale farms for increased profitability.

9. Receive periodic Monitoring and Evaluation of farmer development initiatives to promote their productivity.

10. Promote gender equity and inclusive Agriculture etc.

THE TEN (10) QUALITIES OF FAMILY FARMING

As we mark 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF), the following are ten (10) qualities of family farming that highlights family farming as a sustainable and robust model of Agriculture in Africa and the world at large.

As we celebrate 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF), the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) congratulates the world’s family farmers for ensuring the food security of many household and communities across the world.

THE ROLE OF YOUNG FARMERS IN SUSTAINING FAMILY FARMING FOR A SECURED FOOD SECURITY IN AFRICA

INTRODUCTION

With nearly 80% of farms been family owned and managed in Sub-Saharan Africa, family farming represent a sustainable economic model of Agriculture on which most families in Africa depend on for their food security and livelihood.

Family farming in Africa also ensures the generation of features such as: functioning ecological systems, the preservation of landscapes and the sustenance of cultural heritage; thus contributing immensely in maintain the rural lifestyle of many communities in Africa.

Family farming in Africa therefore reminds the most sustainable economic model of Agriculture that has been successful in engaging the youth in farming over generations; owing to the fact that family farming is more than a professional occupation but also a reflection of lifestyle based on beliefs and traditions about life and work.

Despite the essential role that family farming play in securing Africa’s food security, it is faced with a number of challenges among which include: the difficulty in accessing resources and raw materials for production, an ageing farmer population, the lack of generational renewal, scares managerial skills, inadequate technical training, price volatility, the exclusion from relevant discussion fora affecting their livelihood etc.

The declaration of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) by the United Nations (UN), therefore represent a unique opportunity to re-launch this important and sustainable Agricultural model to ensure that it remains a key priority on the international development Agenda.

This article will therefore discuss the role of Africa’s young farmers in sustaining family farming for a secured food security. These roles include:

Engaging in family farming to ensure a generational renewal: family farming in Africa is generally practiced by the continents ageing farmer population who manages small and medium family farms that are largely characterized by poor Agricultural production. This is primarily due to their inability to judiciously manage production resources for increased Agricultural productivity.

Family farming in Africa therefore requires a generational renewal were the youth are actively engaged in family farming to promote its sustenance in order to develop functional structures and systems that enhances the relevance of family farming as a unique model of Agriculture that secures the food security of many households, communities and countries in Africa.

The engagement of Africa’s youth in family farming will promote its sustenance and development, as they will be able to adopt various innovative Agricultural technologies to increase the productivity of family farming in order to address the increasing challenge of food insecurity in Africa.

The engagement of Africa’s youth in family farming will also enable them develop family farms in to viable Agribusiness enterprises with innovative business models that enhances productivity and livelihood development to curtail the surging youth unemployment in Africa.

Furthermore, the engagement of Africa’s youth in family farming will ensure a generational renewal as the ageing farmer generation will be able to transfer family farms to the youthful generation to enable them acquire the needed production factors e.g. farm lands, Agricultural equipments etc to enable them engage in family farming as a sustainable livelihood.

The transfer of family farms to the young generation has a direct influence on the long term viability of family farms as it directly impacts on the economic, structural and social stability of family farms over time; which offers the youth with employment opportunities in order to address the increasing level of youth unemployment in Africa.

The generational renewal of family farming also strengthens it within the food supply chain as the youth will be able to effectively engage in Agricultural marketing to influence a largely direct producer-consumer marketing relationship for increased farmer profitability.

The sustenance of family farming in Africa therefore requires a generational renewal to ensure its sustained relevance as a viable economic model of Agriculture that has over the years ensured the food security of several households in Africa.

Improved Farm Management and Investment in Family Farming: family farming in Africa is generally challenged by inefficient farm management systems with less investment in to Agricultural production; thereby resulting in a growing decline in the productivity of family farms with increasing level of food  insecurity among many households in Africa.

The sustenance of family farming in Africa therefore requires the active engagement of the youth to among other things provide efficient farm management that ensures their adoption of modern Agricultural technologies and innovations, utilize ICT4Ag applications, manage family farms as  business entities with the preservation of cultural values, engage in Agricultural value chain processes etc. This will thus contribute immensely in increasing the Agricultural productivity of family farms to enhance the nutritional and food security of households and communities in Africa.

The adoption of a family based approach in family farm management by the African young farmer will enable them preserve the patrimony of family farming to reflect a professional occupation and a life style based on beliefs and traditions about living and work.

The young African farmer in managing family farms can also adopt a more entrepreneurial management system where they manage family farms as Agribusiness enterprises that ensure the production of market driven crops and animals for increased profitability.

Investment in family farming is
essential in developing
of family farming.

The commitment by the young African farmer in managing family farms should be supported with investment in developing family farms in to viable Agribusinesses that are able to increase Agricultural production to meet the subsistence and commercial food security of the many households and communities in Africa.

The commitment by the African young farmer in investing in family farming will also promote their active engagement in Agriculture in order to ensure a generational renewal in Africa’s Agricultural production to propel the continents accelerated Agricultural development.

The African young farmer therefore play an important role in the effective management of family farms and the investment in family farming, in order to sustain family farming as a successful economic model of Agriculture that has over the years secured the food security of many households and communities in Africa.

Promote Advocacy on climate change and the Adoption of climate smart Agricultural practices: The rational for family faring in Africa transcends the production of crops and animals, as it is practiced with an ecological motive that promotes environmental protection and the management/conservation of natural resources.

Family farming as an environmentally friendly Agricultural model has over the years contributed significantly in increasing Agricultural productivity, as it adopts climate smart Agricultural practices that ensures the  protection of the environment for sustainable Agricultural production.

Adapting climate smart
Agriculture practices is essential
in sustaining family farming.

As environmental stewards, the young African farmer can promote intergenerational knowledge sharing on climate change by carrying out community outreach advocacy activities to create awareness on the increasing impact of climate change on family farming.

In a bid to promote advocacy on climate change and the adoption of climate smart Agricultural practices, the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) implements the Savannah climate smart Agriculture project in Ghana.

The project seeks to provide Agricultural advisory service on climate change adaptive Agricultural practices, community advocacy on climate change, the training of community climate change advocacy volunteers etc.

The sustenance of family farming in Africa therefore requires the continents young farmers to promote Advocacy on climate change and the adoption of climate smart Agricultural practices in order to ensure sustainable Agricultural production for a secured food security in Africa.

CONCLUSION

The African young farmer therefore play an important role in sustaining family farming as a viable economic model of Agriculture; which has over the years contributed significantly in securing the food security of many households and communities in Africa.

The declaration of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) by the United Nations (UN) therefore presents a unique opportunity for African governments to reposition family farming at the centre of their Agricultural, Environmental and Social policies in order to sustain its relevance in accelerating Africa’s Agricultural development.

YOUTH IN AGRO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA

INTRODUCTION

Agro tourism is a specialized form of tourism where a farm and its Agricultural activities, varieties/breeds, products, farm structures, the method of farming, the farming community etc becomes a tourist attraction. Agro tourism therefore provides tourist the platform to engage and experience Agricultural activities among which include: planting, harvesting, hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, the purchase of Agricultural products etc.

The engagement of the youth in the development of the Agro tourism industry in Ghana will therefore contribute significantly in providing employment and employment opportunities to the youth and the Ghanaian citizenry at large thereby improving upon income generation and living standards.

The development of Ghana’s Agro tourism industry will also promote food security as Agro farms in their bid to improve upon Agro tourism will increase their Agricultural productivity to strengthen the food security of several households and communities in Ghana.

Furthermore, the development of the Agro tourism industry in Ghana will promote biodiversity conservation and the protection of the environment, as Agro tourism facilities are largely directed towards the conservation/management of natural resources to provide Agro tourist a close contact with nature.

This article will therefore discuss youth in in Agro tourism development in Ghana and will highlight the contribution that Ghana’s youth can make towards the development of the Agro tourism industry in order to harness the diverse opportunities that abounds in the sector.

The Ghanaian youth can therefore contribute in the development of the Agro tourism industry through the following:

The development of Agro farms and infrastructure: the development of the Agro tourism industry in Ghana will require the commitment of the youth in developing the needed partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the Agro tourism sector to equip them with the requisite technical knowledge, skills and funding to enable them establish Agro farms and infrastructure to propel the development of a vibrant Agro tourism industry in Ghana.

The development of Agro tourism farms by the youth should consider establishing farms that adopt traditional farming practices, cultivate local and endangered crop species, rear local breeds of animals and birds and the production of herbal/medicinal plants.

These Agro tourism farms should also promote the preservation of sacred landscapes, the conservation of the unique natural resources on the farm, the construction of fish ponds with local fish species, upholding the unique myths, beliefs and traditions surrounding farming in the locality etc.

Owing to the fact that the location of an Agro farm is essential for the success of Agro tourism, Agro farms should be easy to locate with a rich natural resource environment. An Agro farm should therefore be located near a historical place, away from busy urban centers, near a water body, easily accessible by road/train etc.

In order to develop these Agro tourism farms in to attractive Agro tourism centers, they should be equipped with farmhouses that have a rural outlook to offer accommodation to tourist, ensure access to portable drinking water, kitchen facilities for tourist to prepare local dishes, a first aid box for emergency medical care, telecommunication facilities, horse/donkey riding pleasure etc.

These Agro tourism farms in their bid to become the preferred centers for Agro tourism should offer a pollution free environment for tourist, provide on farm folk dance activities, ensure the security of tourist, the sale of cultural artifacts, local restaurants services, have a well structured farm tour programme, an easy to read farm map, and an easy to read guide for tourist to travel to the farm community and the farms as well.

Furthermore, these farms in their quest to attract Agro tourist should engage well trained staff with good communication and comic skills to serve as tourist guides who are able to inform, educate and entertain tourist.

The contribution of the youth in developing Agro tourism in Ghana will therefore contribute significantly in promoting the active engagement of the youth in Agriculture for increased Agricultural production, attract the needed foreign exchange in order to enable the country implement its innovative economic development policies as well as promote Ghana’s rural development as these Agro tourism facilities will develop vibrant rural economic activities.

The youth of Ghana therefore play an essential role n the development of a vibrant Agro tourism industry in Ghana and should therefore be actively engaged in the development of Agro tourism farms and facilities that are of international standards and thus adequately informs, educates and entertain Agro tourist.

Provide Sales and Marketing Service: the Ghanaian youth in their bid to develop the Agro tourism industry should endeavor to engage in the provision of sales and marketing service to Agro tourist aimed at providing them with the needed customer service to enhance their pleasure in Agro tourism.

In order to effectively provide sales and marketing service to Agro tourist, the Ghanaian youth can establish Agro tourism marketing companies that offer Agro tourist the service required to enable them enjoy their tour of Agro tourism facilities in Ghana.

The service that these Agro tourism marketing companies can offer include: developing websites with rich content on Agro tourism facilities in Ghana, implement a well structures social media strategy to offer information on Agro tourism in Ghana, Advertisement on various platforms (e.g. television, Radio, Airports, train terminals, bus terminals etc) on Agro tourism facilities in Ghana, transportation service, Agro tour packages, etc.

The development of a well structured customer feedback and comments system will enable these Agro sales and marketing companies Monitor and Evaluate the effectiveness of their marketing strategies in order to improve upon their provision of sales and marketing service to Agro tourist to enhance their pleasure of Agro tour  in Ghana.

The operation of these Agro tourism sales and marketing companies will contribute significantly in creating employment and employment opportunities as well as attract the needed foreign exchange to the country to promote Ghana’s accelerated development.

The engagement of the youth in the provision of Agro tourism sales and marketing service will therefore contribute significantly in the development of a vibrant Agro tourism industry in Ghana, to better position the country as the preferred destination for Agro tourist.

Conservation of Natural Resources and Biodiversity: following the important role that natural resources and biodiversity play in enriching Agro farms for the pleasure of Agro tourist, Ghana’s quest to develop its Agro tourism industry will require the engagement of the youth in the conservation of the nation’s rich natural resources and biodiversity.

The youth of Ghana can therefore contribute in the conservation of the nation’s rich natural resources and biodiversity through the implementation of community advocacy activities that effectively engage community members in becoming stewards of the natural resources and biodiversity in their communities.

The conservation of the nation’s rich natural resources and biodiversity will promote Agro tourism as these natural resource reserves will enhance the pleasure Agro tourist will drive from their tour, as they will have a serene environment for bird watching, site seeing of animals, a pollution free environment for relaxation etc.

The youth of Ghana can also promote the conservation of the nation’s rich natural resource and biodiversity by educating farmers on the adoption of climate smart Agricultural practices in order to ensure the sustainable production of crops and animals.

The adoption of climate smart Agricultural practices by Agro farmers will promote Agro tourism development in Ghana as Agro farms in the country will become the preferred destination for Agro tourist to be in close contact with nature to be informed, educated and entertained as they feed on nutritious/healthy farm produce.

Furthermore, the youth of Ghana can promote the conservation of the country’s natural resources and biodiversity by volunteering to become guards for the natural resources in their communities. These volunteering roles will promote the development of Agro tourism in Ghana as the natural vegetation of Agro farms will be conserved to enrich their value as the preferred centers for Agro tourism.

CONCLUSION

Following the essential role that the youth of Ghana can play in the development of Agro tourism, stakeholders in the Agro tourism sector in the country should endeavor to offer the youth the needed capacity development and access to funding to ensure their active engagement across the Agro tourism value chain for an accelerated development of Agro tourism in Ghana.