Agriculture

Agriculture is still a very important sector of the countries economy. It accounts for 19% of the GDP and more than 1/3 of the work force (Ferreira 2022). In the mountainous areas of the Volta region, shifting cultivation is the typical form of agriculture: Land is cropped for one or two years and the left fallow for at least 7 years. Even though Shifting cultivation was perceived very critical for many. As one of the oldest agricultural systems hroughout the tropics, it is now recognized that shifting cultivation is ecologically viable, as long as the fallow periods are long enough. Then, the system allows to maintain soil fertility and biodiversity (Borah et al 2022). The main crops grown in Ho district are yams, maize, manioc, various vegetables, bananas and plantains. Since the area is in a rather high altitude, the conditions also allow the cultivation of “Irish” potatoes. Due to the topography in the mountainous region, the mechanization level and productivity is limited. Environmental changes (f.e. change in rainfall patterns) create additional challenges. Thus, many people from the villages leave the agricultural sector and migrate to the cities, where they can engage in activities and jobs which allows them to create a higher income (Wehner 2023).

Borah J., Gilroy J., Evans, K.; Edwards D. P. (2022): The value of shifting cultivation for biodiversity in Northeast India. Biodiversity and distributions. Volume28, Issue 9.

Ferreira, V., Almazán-Gómez, M.Á., Nechifor, V. (2022): The role of the agricultural sector in Ghanaian development: a multiregional SAM-based analysis. In: Economic Structures Volume 11, Issue 6.

Wehner S. (2023): (field research in March and April 2023).