World Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences

WRJAS

Vol. 2(2), pp. 028-038, November, 2015. www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 2326-7266x

Research Article

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable

maize and cowpea production: The role of enabling
policy
E. Owusu Danquah1*, S.A. Ennin1, F. Frimpong1, P. Oteng-Darko1, S. Yeboah1, J. Osei-Adu1
1

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785 Kumasi, Ghana.
This paper presents a comparative evaluation of maize and cowpea grain yields of 24 farmers in
the Forest-Savannah Transition (Atebubu-Amantin) and Guinea Savannah (West-Mamprusi) zones
of Ghana for 2012 and 2014 respectively at the inception and completion of the sustainable
intensification of crop-livestock integration project. While only 7 and 2 farmers planted maize in
rows at project inception, 12 and 9 farmers were recorded at project completion in Atebubu
Amantin and WestMamprusi districts respectively. During 2012 cropping season, when farmers
had access to fertilizer in the form of subsidy, only a farmer in each district did not apply fertilizer.
However, the reverse was observed in 2014 where there was no subsidy. Comparing 2012 and
2014 cropping season results, revealed a 25% and 27% increase in maize grain yield in Atebubu
Amantin and WestMamprusi districts respectively. Economic analysis revealed a high benefit
cost ratio in maize and cowpea production in 2014 than in 2012 for both locations. The study has
demonstrated that, enabling environment that encourages access to tools and implements for row
planting and fertilizer in the form of subsidy would complement good agronomic technology
packages introduced to farmers in order to ensure sustainable cereal and legume production.

Key words: Yield Gap, Ghana, Food Security, Good Agronomic Practices, Cereal-Legume production, Intensification,
Policy.

INTRODUCTION
Improvement in productivity of cereals and legumes
especially maize and legumes would improve farmers
income and reduce poverty of smallholders (Singh and
Ajeigbe 2007; Kassam et al., 2010; Amujoyegbe et al.,
2013). This is because maize and cowpea are the main
grain crops grown in Sub-Saharan Africa on a broad
range of soil fertility and management conditions
(Jackai and Adalla 1997; Agbato, 2000; Carsky and
Kling, 1995). However, yield variability on a large range
has been observed, reflecting the intensity and spatial
distribution of growth-limiting and growth-reducing
factors (Yangyuoru et al., 2001; Yeboah et al., 2014;

Nyasasi and Kisetu, 2014). The average maize and

cowpea grain yield in Ghana is 1.7t/ha and 1.3t/ha
respectively against potential grain yields of 6-7t/ha and
2.6t/ha respectively (SRID-MoFA, 2011; GGDP, 1993).

*Corresponding author: Owusu Danquah Eric, Council

for Scientific and Industrial Research- Crops Research
Institute, P. O. Box 3785 Kumasi, Ghana. Email:
ericdany7@gmail.com, Tel.: +233-242357061, +233266197247

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

Owusu Danquah et al. 028

During the period under review, grain yields per unit

area increased and decreased by 6.03% and 0.86% for
maize and cowpea respectively. However, area under
production of maize and cowpea increased by about 5%
and 20% respectively. Thus whiles a percentage
increase in area under maize production resulted in
about a percentage yield increase, 20% increase in
area under cowpea production only resulted in about
1% loss in grain yield (SRID-MoFA, 2011). There is the
need for sustaining the yields of maize and cowpea
production in the face of climate change.
Grain yields of maize and cowpea are mainly low
because of poor agronomic practices and poor soil
fertility (Yeboah et al., 2014; Kisetu and Mtakimwa,
2013; Yangyuoru et al., 2001). Demonstration of good
agricultural practices through Innovation Platform (IP)
approach would aid in dissemination to bridge the yield
gap (Kassam et al., 2010). This study forms part of a
sustainable intensification crop-small ruminant project
which aimed at improving agricultural productivity,
income, food security and reduce poverty through
integrated crop-small ruminant systems of small scale
farmers. The study used innovation platform approach
in identification of bottlenecks along the cereal/legumesmall ruminant value chain. This was done through
monitoring and estimation of maize and cowpea yields
on farmers field. In addition the causes and the needed
interventions on yield gaps were assessed during the
project period. Thus growth and yield performance of
cowpea and maize in 2012 cropping season just at the
inception of the project were compared to that of 2014
cropping season right after demonstrating good
agronomic practices through the project till 2014, end of
the project. This was to track technology adoption and
yield performance within the selected communities after
inception of the project. This paper presents the impact
of the project on grain yields in the communities and
recommends gaps for policy intervention to encourage
the adoption of good agricultural practices.

METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted in the Atebubu-Amantin and
West Mamprusi districts in the Forest-Savannah
Transition and Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zones
of Ghana respectively. Atebubu-Amantin has a bimodal
rainfall pattern and therefore two cropping seasons in a
year whiles West Mamprusi has a unimodal rainfall
pattern and therefore only one cropping season in a
year. Cropping system, agronomic practices and yield
performance were monitored at the beginning of the
project (2012) and at the end of the project (2014). In

2012 a baseline study was conducted on farmers

cropping practices and yields. Farmers were then
introduced to good agronomic practices through field
demonstrations.
Good
agronomic
practices
demonstrated included; row planning, use of fertilizer,
use of improved seed varieties and germination test
among others. The baseline study on farmers field in
2012, informed the above agronomic interventions to
address these identified agronomic lapses. The 2014
cropping season data collection focused on monitoring
and tracking of farmers practices and yield
performance after the introduction of the interventions
(good agronomic practices). The experimental design
used was Randomised Complete Block Design with
three replications. Each selected farmer in a location
was considered as a treatment. Three plots (10m x
10m) were demarcated randomly on each of the
selected farmers field. Growth and yield data were then
collected from these demarcated areas in both
locations. Out of the total selected farmers, the data for
farmers who consistently planted in both years (2012
and 2014) were subjected to analysis of variance at 5%
significant level for comparison.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Maize yields for the selected farmers in 2012 ranged
between 1.06t/ha and 2.48t/ha with an average of
1.70t/ha, whiles the yield for 2014 ranged between
1.65t/ha to 2.88t/ha at an average of 2.27t/ha (Fig. 1a).
This implies an increase of 25% in yields from 2012 to
2014.
Generally, cowpea grain yields also did increase
comparing 2012 to 2014 (Fig. 1b). 2012 had yields
ranging between 0.73t/ha and 1.28t/ha with an average
of 0.97t/ha whiles that of 2014 ranged between 0.79t/ha
and 1.59t/ha with an average of 1.10t/ha (Fig. 1b). This
implies an average of 8% yield increase.
Maize grain yields in the West-Mamprusi district
followed similar trends as in Atebubu-Amantin district.
Generally yields increased in 2014 compared to 2012.
The yields ranged between 0.66t/ha and 2.61t/ha with
an average of 1.46t/ha whiles that of 2014 ranged
between 1.16t/ha and 3.05t/ha with an average of
2.00t/ha (Fig. 2a). This implies a productivity increase of
about 27% in maize grain yields of farmers at this
location.
The cowpea yields ranged between 0.62t/ha and
0.83t/ha with an average of 0.75t/ha in year 2012 whiles
year 2014 ranged between 0.75t/ha and 1.17t/ha with

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

World Res. J. Agric. Sci.

029

Table 1. Agro-ecological characteristics of the selected Districts

Characteristics

Location
Atebubu-Amantin District
(7.6333 N, 1.0667 W)

West Mamprusi District

( 10.3520 N, 0.7990 W)

Agro-ecological zone

Forest-Savannah Transition

Guinea Savannah

Soil description

Sandy loams to clayey loams, and are

mostly poorly drained

Soils of alluvial origin (Savannah glycols). Deep and well suitable

for wide range of crop cultivation

Temperature
o
(Min-Max. C )
2012-2014

21-34

28 -39

Wet season

Bimodal rainfall pattern

Unimodal rainfall pattern

Major

March mid August

Late April -- mid August

Minor
Total annual rainfall
(mm)

Sept-Nov; peak in Oct

2012 (1028) 2014 (1226 )

---2012 (1114 ) 2014 (1210)

Adapted from Adu and Asiamah, 1992 & www.westmamprusi.ghanadistricts.gov.gh

Table 1a. Agronomic practices and yield performance of maize measured from farmers fields for the major and minor season of 2012 and
2014, Atebubu-Amantin District, Ghana.

Name of
farmer/Code

Gender

Maize
Variety
P:C

Farm
Size/ha
P:C

Male

Local mix: Obatanpa

2.4:12.8

B
C
D
E

Male
Female
Male
Male

Obatanpa:Obaatanpa
Abrohomaa:Obatanpa
Pan53: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa

0.5:0.6
0.8:0.6
0.5:0.8
1.6:1.2

F
G
H
I
J
K
L

Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male

Pan53: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Local mix: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa

1.6:1.6
1:1.2
0.6:4
1:0.8
0.6:0.8
0.8:1
1:1.2

Fertilizer application (50kg/ha)

(NPK/SA)
P:C
Major season
3.5/2.5:2.5/2

Method of
planting
P:C

Plant
2
Stand/m
P:C

Scattered:Row

5.80:6.1

2.5/2.5:nil/nil
2.5/2.5:nil/nil
2.5/2:nil/nil
3.75/2.5:nil/nil
Minor Season
2.5/1.5:nil/nil
Nil/2.5:nil/nil
2.5/2.5:nil/nil
2.5/2:nil/nil
2.5/2.5:nil/nil
2.5/2.5:nil/nil
2.5/1:nil/nil

Scattered:Row
Scattered:Row
Row:Row
Row:Row

8.60:6.14
9.87:6.21
5.90:6.16
7.33:6.76

Row:Row
Row:Row
Row:Row
Row:Row
Scattered:Row
Row:Row
Scattered:Row

5.47:6.2
8.10:6.42
8.20:6.4
7.47:6.3
10.20:6.34
7.31:6.12
9.87:6.02

Panna 53 and Obatanpa are improved varieties. (P:C; P- Previous 2012: Current 2014). Scattered Planting: is a method of planting where the
seeds are planted haphazardly on the field.

an average of 1.05t/ha. That is an increase in cowpea

grain yield of about 29% comparing 2012 to 2014 (Fig.
2b).
Generally the benefit cost ratios were higher in 2014 for
all the maize fields as compared to 2012. Benefit cost
ratio ranged between 0.42 5.03: 1 and 1.52 7.88: 1
in 2012 and 2014 respectively, suggesting maize
production was more profitable in 2014 than 2012. Also,

the benefit cost ratios were higher and similar for

farmers who practiced row planting as compared to
those who used scattered planting in both years. This
implies row planting is more profitable than scattered
planting in maize production (Table 3a). Similar trends
were observed in the cowpea production and benefits
cost ratio ranged between 1.92 4.12: 1 and 2.16
5.12: 1

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

Owusu Danquah et al. 030

Figure 1a. Grain yield performance of maize measured from farmers fields for the major and minor season of 2012 and 2014,
Atebubu-Amantin District Ghana.

Table 1b. Agronomic practices of cowpea measured from farmers field for the major and minor season of 2012 and 2014, Atebubu-Amantin
District Ghana.

Farmer
Code

Gender

Variety

P:C
A
B

Male
Female

Nhyira: Alan Cash

Alan cash: Padituya

Male

Alan cash: Alan

cash

Female

Female

Female

Alan cash: Alan

cash
Alan cash: Alan
cash
Alan cash: Padituya

Planting
Method

Plant
Stand/
2
m
P:C
P:C
Major season
Broadcasting: Scattered
15.17:19.13
Broadcasting: Scattered
12.49:
10.13
Broadcasting:
11.3: 16.12
Broadcasting
Minor season
Broadcasting:
14.34:
Broadcasting
10.34
Broadcasting:
12.80:15.4
Broadcasting
Broadcasting:
12.21:14.10
Broadcasting

Farm size
/Ha

Number of times
sprayed
P:C

P:C
15:20
1.2:0.8

5:4
4:3

1.0:1.0

4:3

0.8:1

6:3

1:1.2

6:4

1.2:0.8

2:3

NB: Padituya- dual purpose variety whiles others are local. Scattered Planting: is a method of planting where the seeds are planted haphazardly on
the field. Broadcasting: method of planting where seeds are spread on field by throwing on the field and ploughed or harrowed over as a cover

in 2012 and 2014 respectively (Table 3b). Similarly,

high and low benefit cost ratios were recorded for
farmers who used scattered planting method and
broadcasting planting method respectively in 2012 and
2014. Thus, though not the best method of planting,

Scattering is more profitable than broadcasting for

cowpea production (Table 3b).
The benefit cost ratio for maize production ranged
between 0.05 1.88:1 and 2.40 7.94:1 for 2012 and
2014 respectively, showing a significant increase in

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

World Res. J. Agric. Sci.

031

Figure 1b. Grain yield performance of cowpea measured from farmers fields for the major and minor season of 2012 and 2014,
Atebubu-Amantin District Ghana.

Table 2a. Agronomic practices of maize measured from farmers fields for the 2012 and 2014 Cropping season, Wungu and Wulugu, West
Mamprusi of Ghana.

Farmer/
Code

Gender

Maize
Variety
P:C

Farm
Size/ha
P:C

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J

Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male

Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa
Obatanpa: Obatanpa

0.4: 0.5
0.4 : 0.6
1.2 : 0.4
0.4: 0.5
0.8 :1.2
0.6: 0.4
1.2: 1
1.6: 1.2
0.6:0.8
1:0.8

Fertilizer
application
(50kg/ha)
(NPK/SA)
P:C
Nil/nil:nil/nil
2.5/2.5:nil/nil
2.5/1.25:nil/nil
2.5/2.5:nil/nil
5/2.5:nil/nil
3.75/2.5:nil/nil
2.5/2.5:nil/nil
5/2.5:nil/nil
5/2.5:nil/nil
5/2.5:nil/nil

Method of
Planting
P:C

Plant
2
Stand/m
P:C

Scattered: Row
Scattered: Row
Scattered: Row
Scattered: Row
Row: Row
Scattered: Row
Scattered: Row
Row: Row
Scattered: Scattered
Scattered: Row

9.76: 5.12
8.67: 5.54
7.92: 6.12
8.05: 5.23
6.02: 5.91
6.40: 6.10
6.76: 5.95
5.79: 6.08
6.61:8.02
8.13:6.03

P-Previous (2012) C-Current (2014); Obatanpa is improved maize variety (NB: West Mamprusi has one growing season in a year). Scattered Planting:
is a method of planting where the seeds are planted haphazardly on the field. Broadcasting: method of planting where seeds are spread on field by
throwing on the field and ploughed or harrowed over as a cover

benefit cost ratio between the years for maize

production. Benefit cost ratio were generally higher for
row planting than scattered planting in both years. Thus
maize production was profitable using row planting than
using scattering in 2012 and 2014 (Table 4a). The

benefit cost ratio of cowpea production also increased

from 1.07 2.50:1 in 2012 to 2.30 3.13:1 in 2014.
Farmers who used scattered planting method; though
not the recommended planting method had higher
benefit cost ratio than farmers who used broadcasting

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

Owusu Danquah et al. 032

Figure 2a. Grain yield performance of maize measured from farmers fields for the 2012 and 2014 Cropping season, Wungu and Wulugu,
West Mamprusi of Ghana

Table 2b. Agronomic practices of cowpea observed from farmers fields for the 2014 Cropping season, Wungu and Wulugu, West
Mamprusi of Ghana.

Gender
Farmers
Code

Variety
P:C

Planting
Method
P:C

Plant
Stand/
2
m
P:C

Farm
size/
Ha

Number of times
sprayed
P:C

P:C
A
B

Female
Male

Male

Male

Female

local: Apa-abala
Apa-abala:Apaabala
Apa-abala:Apaabala
Local:Apa-abala
Apa-abala: Apaabala

Scattered : Scattered
Scattered : Scattered

10.75: 14.1
12.45:10.21

0.4:0.8
0.5:0.6

Nil: 2
Nil: 4

Broadcasting:
Scattered
Broadcasting:
Broadcasting
Broadcasting:
Scattered

19.53:11.56

1:0.4

6:3

20.26:18.19

0.8:1

Nil:Nil

11.21:19.45

0.8:0.4

1:2

Apa-abala is an improved dual purpose cowpea variety from SARI. P- Previous (2012) C- Current (2014) (NB: West-Mamprusi has
only one growing season in a year). Scattered Planting: is a method of planting where the seeds are planted haphazardly on the field.
Whiles in broadcasting the seeds are spread on the field by throwing and covered with a plough

method of planting in both years (Table 4b). Thus it is

more profitable to use scattered planting method than to
use broadcasting in cowpea production.
The average increases in maize grain yield from
1.70t/ha and 1.46 t/ha in 2012 to 2.27t/ha and 2t/ha
(25% and 27%) in 2014 for Atebubu-Amantin and WestMamprusi districts respectively could be attributed to

the general change from scattering to row planting

(Table 1a, 2a, Fig. 1a and 2a). It can be observed that
farmers who changed from scattered method of planting
in 2012 to row planting method in 2014 had a sharp and
significant increase in yields (Table 1a and Fig. 1a). The
situation in Atebubu-Amantin was similar to that of West
Mamprusi district. Most of the farmers changed from
scattered planting of maize to row planting

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

World Res. J. Agric. Sci.

033

Figure 2b. Grain yield performance of cowpea measured from farmers fields for the 2014 Cropping season, Wungu and Wulugu, West
Mamprusi of Ghana.

method, which might have played a key role in the yield

increases from 1.46t/ha to 2t/ha (Table 2a and Fig. 2a).
Only a farmer in each district applied fertilizer during the
2014 cropping season. In an interview, farmers stated
that during the 2014 cropping season, they had no
subsidy on fertilizers. Hence, only a farmer in each
district applied fertilizer to their crops compared to 2012
where farmers had subsidy, almost all the farmers
applied fertilizer on their fields (Table 1a and 2a). Row
and scattered planting resulted in number of plants per
2
2
stand range of 5-10 plt/m , 5-7 plt/m and grain yield
range of 1.06 1.8t/ha and 1.65 2.9t/ha respectively
in both years at the Atebubu-Amantin district (Table 1a
and Fig. 1a). This corresponds to an average benefit
cost ratio of 4.34:1 and 1.09:1 for using row and
scattered planting in maize production for both years in
the Atebubu-Amantin district (Table 3a). Thus if a
farmer invested Gh 1.00 in maize production and used
row planting, an average profit of Gh 3.34 would be
accrued in addition to the Gh 1.00 invested capital
whiles an investment of Gh 1.00 in maize production
using scattered planting would accrue only Gh 0.09 in
addition to the Gh 1:00 invested capital (Table 3a).
In West-Mamprusi, row and scattered planting of maize
resulted in number of plants per meter square ranging
2
2
6-9plt/m , 5-6plt/m and grain yield range of 0.662.61t/ha, 1.16-3.05t/ha respectively in both years (Table
2a and Fig. 2a). The economic analysis revealed an
average benefit cost ratio of 1.31: 1 and 4.22: 1 for

scattered and row planting respectively for both years

(Table 4a). Thus in West-Mamprusi, an investment of
Gh 1.00 in maize production using row planting would
lead to a profit of Gh 3.22 in addition to the Gh 1:00
invested capital. If scattered planting is used a small
profit of Gh 0.31 would be obtained in addition to the
Gh 1:00 invested capital.
The significantly high grain yield and benefit cost ratio
for row planting as compared to scattered planting
might be attributed to the number of stand per meter
square which approached the recommended 6 plants
per meter square at planting distance of 80cm X 40cm
(GGDP, 1993). With scattered planting the plants per
unit area are higher or lower leading to competition or
underutilization of soil nutrients by the plants
respectively, resulting in low biomass and grain yields.
Cowpea grain yield did increase from 0.97t/ha and
0.75t/ha in 2012 to 1.1t/ha and 1.05t/ha (8% and 29%)
in 2014 for Atebubu-Amantin and West mamprusi
districts respectively. It can be observed that an
increase of 8% in Atebubu-Amantin district in cowpea
yield is small and insignificant. This might be due to the
variety (Allan Cash) and the broadcasting method of
planting. Even, those who decided to change from
broadcasting used scattered
instead of
the
recommended row planting method. The use of
scattering and broadcasting resulted in 1.44t/ha:
0.95t/ha and 0.93t/ha: 0.75t/ha of grain yields in the

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

Owusu Danquah et al. 034

Table 3a. Partial budget and cost benefit analysis of maize production in the Atebubu-Amantin District of Ghana for year 2012 and 2014

Farmer Code

Farmer A

Cropping year
Average
yields(kg/ha)

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

1070

2180

1410

1910

1060

1950

1320

1650

1560

1850

2310

2410

1930

2330

1990

2350

2480

2720

1800

2880

2190

2430

1580

2630

Adjusted yield*
Gross
benefit(/ha)
Cost of
chemical
fertilizer()
Labour cost for
application of
Fert.(/ha)
Cost of land
clearing &
Plouging(/ha)
Cost of seed
(/ha)
Labour cost of
planting(/ha)
Cost of
weeding 2
times(/ha)
Harvesting
cost(/ha)
Total cost that
vary

963

1962

1269

1719

954

1755

1188

1485

1665

2079

2169

1737

2097

1791

2115

2232

2448

1620

2592

1971

2187

1422

2367

770

2,158

1,015

1,891

763

1,931

950

1,634

1404
1,12
3

1,832

1,663

2,386

1,390

2,307

1,433

2,327

1,786

2,693

1,296

2,851

1576.8

2405.7

1137.6

2603.7

288.5

435

237.5

237.5

215.5

0 301.25

193.5

46.5

237.5

215.5

237.5

237.5

171.5

65

100

60

60

60

70

30

15

60

60

40

60

30

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

20

56.25

20

56.25

45

56.25

55

56.25

45

56.25

55

56.25

45

56.25

20

56.25

45

56.25

45

56.25

45

56.25

45

56.25

25

50

25

50

25

50

37.5

50

37.5

50

37.5

50

37.5

50

37.5

50

37.5

50

25

50

37.5

50

37.5

50

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

55

80

55

80

55

80

55

80

55

80

55

80

55

80

55

80

55

80

55

80

55

80

55

80

544

856

488

321

513

321

513

321

599

321

461

321

289

321

500

321

503

321

493

321

525

321

429

321

227

1,302

528

1,570

251

1,609

437

1,312

524

1,510

1,202

2,065

1,101

1,985

933

2,005

1,283

2,372

804

2,530

1,052

2,084

709

2,282

0.42

1.52

1.08

4.89

0.49

5.01

0.85

4.08

0.88

4.70

2.61

6.43

3.81

6.18

1.87

6.24

2.55

7.38

1.63

7.88

2.00

6.49

1.65

7.10

Net benefit
Benefit
cost/Ratio

Farmer B

Farmer C

Farmer D

Farmer E

Farmer F

Farmer G

Farmer H

Famer I

Farmer J

Farmer K

Farmer L

NB:* Average yield adjusted 10%; Farm gate price per kg of maize in 2012 and 2014 =Gh 0.80 and Gh 1.10 respectively. Farmers A, B, C, J and L used scattered planting in 2012 whiles the rest used row planting. All the farmers used row planting in 2014.
Average benefit cost ratio of Row and Scattered planting for both years were 1.09: 1.00 and 4.34: 1.00 respectively
Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

World Res. J. Agric. Sci.

035

Table 3b. Partial budget and cost benefit analysis of cowpea production in the Atebubu-Amantin District of Ghana for year 2012 and 2014

Farmer Code

Farmer A

Cropping year

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

Average yields(kg/ha)

1280

1590

1060

1290

920

1000

730

790

920

890

920

1030

Adjusted yield*

1152

1431

954

1161

828

900

657

711

828

801

828

927

Gross benefit(/ha)

2,189

3,864

1,813

3,135

1,573

2,430

1,248

1,920

1,573

2,163

1,573

2,503

Cost of land clearing & Plouging(/ha)

Farmer B

Farmer C

Farmer D

Farmer E

Farmer F

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

40

60

67.5

45

67.5

45

67.5

67.5

67.5

67.5

67.5

67.5

67.5

67.5

Labour cost of planting(/ha)

30

87.5

30

87.5

30

50

30

50

30

50

30

50

Cost of weeding 2 times(/ha)

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

cost for chemical spraying 2 times (/ha)

40

75

40

75

40

75

40

75

40

75

40

75

Labour cost of Spraying (/ha)

50

80

50

80

50

80

50

80

50

80

50

80

150

200

150

200

150

200

150

200

150

200

150

200

Cost of seed (/ha)

Harvesting and processing cost(/ha)

Total cost that vary
Net benefit

428

623

428

623

428

608

428

608

428

608

428

608

1,761

3,241

1,385

2,512

1,146

1,823

821

1,312

1,146

1,555

1,146

1,895

4.12

5.21

3.24

4.04

2.68

1.92

2.16

2.68

2.56

2.68

3.12

Benefit cost/Ratio

NB:* Average yield adjusted 10%; Farm gate price per kg of cowpea in 2012 and 2014 = Gh1.90 and Gh2.70 respectively. All the farmers practised broadcasting in 2012 whiles farmers A and B
changed to scattered planting in 2014. Average benefit cost ratio of scattered and broadcasting planting for both years were 4.63: 1.00 and 2.82: 1.00 respectively.

Table 4a. Partial budget and cost benefit analysis of maize production in the West-Mamprusi District of Ghana for year 2012 and 2014

Farmer Code

Farmer A

Farmer B

Farmer C

Farmer D

Farmer E

Cropping year

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

Average yields(kg/ha)

660

1160

780

1350

960

1490

890

1250

2270

2480

Adjusted yield*

594

1044

702

1215

864

1341

801

1125

2043

2232

Gross benefit(/ha)

416

1,023

491

1,191

605

1,314

561

1,103

1,430

237.5

182.5

237.5

365

Cost of chemical fertilizer()

Farmer F

Farmer G

Farmer H

Famer I

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2012

2014

2610

3050

1750

2590

1750

2590

1750

1710

1350

2210

2349

2745

1575

2331

1575

2331

1575

1539

1215

1989

2,187

1,644

2,690

1,103

2,284

1,103

2,284

1,103

1,508

851

1,949

301.25

237.5

365

365

365

Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

Farmer J

Owusu Danquah et al. 036

Table 4a. Cont.
Labour cost for application of
Fert.(/ha)

55

30

55

70

60

55

60

60

60

Cost of land clearing & Plouging(/ha)

35

55

35

55

35

55

35

55

35

55

35

55

35

55

35

55

35

55

35

55

Cost of seed (/ha)

20

56.25

20

56.25

45

56.25

55

56.25

45

56.25

55

56.25

45

56.25

20

56.25

45

56.25

45

56.25

Labour cost of planting(/ha)

25

42.5

25

42.5

25

42.5

25

42.5

25

42.5

25

42.5

25

42.5

25

42.5

25

42.5

25

42.5

Cost of weeding 2 times(/ha)

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

50

75

Harvesting cost(/ha)

45

72

45

72

45

72

45

72

45

72

45

72

45

72

45

72

45

72

45

72

Total cost that vary

175

301

468

301

413

301

503

301

635

301

571

301

493

301

600

301

625

301

625

301

Net benefit

241

722

24

890

192

1,013

58

802

795

1,887

1,073

2,389

610

1,984

503

1,984

478

1,207

226

1,648

Benefit cost/Ratio

1.38

2.40

0.05

2.96

0.47

3.37

0.12

2.67

1.25

6.27

1.88

7.94

1.24

6.59

0.84

6.60

0.76

4.01

0.36

5.48

NB: Average yield adjusted 10%; Farm gate price per kg of maize in 2012 and 2014 = Gh 0.70 and Gh 0.98 respectively. Only farmer E practiced row planting with all the rest practicing Scattered planting in 2012. Only farmer I used Scattered
planting with the rest using row planting in 2014. Average benefit cost ratio of scattered and row planting are 1.31: 1.00 and 4.22: 1.00

Table 4b. Partial budget and cost benefit analysis of cowpea production in the West-Mamprusi District of Ghana for year 2012 and 2014
Farmer Code

Farmer A

Cropping year
Average yields(kg/ha)
Adjusted yield*
Gross benefit(/ha)
Cost of land clearing & Plouging(/ha)

2012
730
657
1,117
35

2014
1050
945
2,287
55

Farmer B
2012
750
675
1,148
35

2014
1120
1008
2,439
55

Farmer C
2012
810
729
1,239
35

2014
1150
1035
2,505
55

Farmer D
2012
620
558
949
35

2014
750
675
1,634
55

Farmer E
2012
830
747
1,270
35

2014
1170
1053
2,548
55

Cost of seed (/ha)

67.5

45

67.5

45

85

67.5

85

85

85

67.5

Labour cost of planting(/ha)

Cost of weeding 2 times(/ha)
cost for chemical spraying (/ha)

40
45
0

87.5
72
65

40
45
0

87.5
72
140

25
45
120

87.5
72
60

25
45
0

48
72
0

30
45
20

87.5
72
75

Labour cost of Spraying (/ha)

70

150

150

75

25

80

Harvesting and processing cost(/ha)

Total cost that vary

140
328

190
585

140
328

190
740

140
600

190
607

140
330

190
450

140
380

190
627

Net benefit
Benefit cost/Ratio

789
2.41

1,702
2.91

820
2.50

1,700
2.30

639
1.07

1,898
3.13

619
1.87

1,184
2.63

890
2.34

1,921
3.06

NB: Average yield adjusted 10%; Farm gate price per kg of maize in 2012 and 2014 =Gh 1.70 and Gh 2.42 respectively. Average benefit cost ratio of scattered and broadcasting planting are 1.31:
1.00 and 4.22: 1.00
Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy

World Res. J. Agric. Sci.

037

Atebubu-Amantin
and
West-Mamprusi
districts
respectively. The economic analysis revealed a benefit
cost ratio of 1.44:1; 0.95:1 and 0.93:1; 0.75:1 for
scattered and broadcasting planting of cowpea in
Atebubu-Amantin and West Mamprusi districts
respectively (Table 1b and 2b). Thus cowpea
production with broadcasting method would lead to a
loss. Broadcasting and scattering resulted in low or high
number of stands per unit area below or above the
recommended 16 plants per meter square (spacing of
60cm X 20cm at 2 plants per hill) for cowpea production
(GGDP, 1993). According to the farmers, high labour
cost and unavailability are the main hindrance for still
using broadcasting method of planting. The Allan cash
cowpea variety used by farmers especially in AtebubuAmantin district is highly susceptible to diseases which
might have contributed to the sight increase in yield of
just 8%. In spite of this, farmers in this location
preferred the white and black eye qualities of the Allan
cash and according to them; it is more marketable as
compared to others. Therefore, there is the need for
more breeding work to inculcate disease tolerant trait in
Allan cash for farmers in this location.
In spite of the general increases in yield, the yields were
still below the potential of 6-7t/ha and 2.6t/ha grain
yields predicted for maize and cowpea respectively by
Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ghana (SRIDMoFA, 2011). Facts and figures from MoFA have
revealed that a 10.88% and 11.35% increase in maize
and cowpea production in the country was as a result of
6.13% expansion and 0.86% reduction in area under
production. Thus increase in productivity is mainly due
to expansion in area under production for maize
production whiles cowpea increased in production was
not mainly due to area under production. Maize and
cowpea production like other food crop production are
mostly on smallholder bases with land area less than 2
acres (SRID-MoFA, 2011). Therefore adoption of good
agronomic practices would boost production and
improve farmers income.

Ghana created the Agricultural Mechanization Centres

(AMCs) to assist farmers who cannot meet the condition
of acquiring their own tractors to have access and at
affordable rate (FAO, 2010). Although there are a
number of Mechanization centres, these centres have
tractors but lacks accompanying implements for
operations such as seeding, weeding, harvestering etc.
There is the need to add to these tractors the required
implements at the mechanization centres so as to
enable farmers gain access to address the problem of
labour unavailability for planting, weeding and
harvesting. Moreover, good agronomic technologies
comes in a package and therefore adopting good
planting methods and use of improved varieties without
fertilizer application would not lead to the expected
yields. Therefore there is the need for timely subsidy on
fertilizer and other agrochemical inputs to encourage
ease of access.

Policy intervention

The authors are grateful to DFAT of the Australian

Government
for
providing
funding
through
CORAF/WECARD for the Sustainable Intensification of
Integrated Crop-Small Ruminant Production Systems in
West Africa (Crop-small ruminant) project through which
this study was conducted.

The national vision for the food and agriculture sector is

a modernized agriculture resulting in a transformed
economy, evident in food security, employment
opportunities and improved livelihood (MoFA, 2007).
This study has shown that good agronomic practices
have the potential to increase yields and income of
smallholders. The major constrains to farmers who still
use poor agronomic practices such as broadcasting has
been unavailability of labour and farm inputs such as
fertilizer (FAO, 2010). This is where the intervention of
enabling policies would be vital. The Government of

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Although grain yields of maize and cowpea increased
across all locations comparing 2012 and 2014, the
yields were still below the potential yields of maize and
cowpea in the country. Row planting technology seems
to have gone on well with maize farmers, however,
fertilizer unavailability in a form of subsidy is still a major
challenge and policy dialogue would be efficient in
addressing this challenge. On cowpea, the bottle neck
still remains with the method of planting. Farmers are
still using traditional method of broadcasting and
therefore the need to find mechanized alternatives for
cowpea production to address the problem of labour
availability. The study has demonstrated enabling policy
environment has a vital role in technology adoption for
sustainable legume and cereal production.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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Accepted 13 October, 2015.
Citation: Owusu Danquah E, Ennin SA, Frimpong F,
Oteng-Darko P, Yeboah S, Osei-Adu J (2015). Adoption
of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and
cowpea production: the role of enabling policy. World
Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2(2): 028038.

Copyright: 2015 Owusu Danquah et al. This is an

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Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy