The Tano North District is one of the Twenty-two (22) Administrative Districts of Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. It was carved out of the then Tano District in 2004 with its Administrative capital at Duayaw-Nkwanta.

It shares boundaries with Offinso and Ahafo-Ano Districts both in Ashanti Region in the North-East and South-West respectively. Other Districts that share boundaries with the Tano North include Tano South in the South, Asutifi in the West and Sunyani Municipal in the North.

The District lies between longitude 7° 00’ 25’, latitude 1° 45’ W and 2° 15’ W with a total land area of 876sq kilometres, constituting about 1.8% of the total land area of the Brong-Ahafo Region.

Demographics:
Population
The Tano North District has a total population of 78,415 comprising 39,338 males and 39,077 females as at 2010. The district has population growth rate of 2.4%.

Climate
The District lies in the semi-equatorial zone which experiences two (2) rainy seasons (major and minor). The major season is usually between March-June with June being the peak. The minor season on the other hand begins from August to November. The mean annual rainfall is between 1,250mm and 1,800mm. The dry season is quite severe and occurs from late November to February.

Vegetation
The District lies in the moist semi-deciduous forest zones of Ghana and has a gross forest area of 157.45sqkm. The District has two forest reserves namely; Apape and Bosomkese forest reserves. There exists a vast expanse of guinea savannah vegetation found in areas such as Subriso, Mankranho, Sukuumu, Adrobaa where cattle rearing is predominant.

Geology and Soil Characteristics
The geology of the District is basically made of the middle Precambrian formation. Most parts of the District are underlain by lower Biriman rocks with few areas such as Bosomkese and Kwannisa underlain by granite.

It must be noted that, the lower Birimian rocks formation in the District contain weathered phyllites and schist which account for the substantial deposits of red and white clay in areas such as Tanoso where ceramics, brick and tile and pottery industries are located.

Located in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone, the soil consists basically of forest orchrosols. Generally, the various types of soils in the Districts are fertile. The abundant arable land found in the District is favourable for the cultivation of a wide range of food and cash crops.
Land Use:

Agriculture is the main occupation in the District. It employs about 64.4% of the total active work force in the District.

The major food crops grown are maize, cassava, plantain, cocoyam and yam. Some of the cash crops cultivated include cocoa, coffee, oil palm and citrus. Apart from the food and cash crops cultivated, vegetables such as tomatoes, garden eggs, okro and pepper are grown in large quantities during the dry season.

Major livestock produced include poultry, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs

Weather: It is mostly sunny with high temperatures during the day and night. The rainfall pattern in the district is erratic mostly at the beginning and the end of the seasons.

Land Tenure System
As practiced in most parts of the country, chiefs, family heads and a few individuals act as custodians of all lands in the district.

Within a family set-up, land is passed on from generation to generation and a member is entitled to a portion of land which is also passed on to the next of kin. Settler farmers may acquire land for farming activities on agreed terms such as shared cropping or outright purchase.

DETAILED INFORMATION ON MAJOR CROPS PRODUCED
MAJOR CROPS PRODUCED (SRID): Maize, rice, cassava, plantain, cocoyam, yam and tomato

3)    INFORMATION ON SPECIAL PROJECTS

a)    INLAND VALLEY RICE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (IVRDP)
This project was introduced into the District in 2004 and it is sited in Subonpang/ Tanokrom. This project seeks to provide irrigation facilities to farmers for rice production all year round to increase rice production in the District and the nation as a whole.

•    The farmer group comprising seven farmers which was used to start the project has now increased to twelve in 2010 with membership of 103 farmers (74 males and 29 females).
•    The farmers have been accessing credit from Agricultural Development Bank since 2005.
•    Land development which has been done manually by farmers is 48 ha and another 25 ha has been awarded on contract to be developed into an irrigable site.
•    There has also been upgrading of 1.6 km farm track from Kwame Nsiah village to the Akonasuam valley which is the area awarded on contract.
•    Constructional work on the headworks is at advance stage.
Achievements
•    The project has been organizing workshops to train farmers on rice technology (land development, nursing, fertilizer application, weed control, harvesting etc) which has helped in increasing rice production in the district.
•    There have been social trainings on diseases like HIV, Bilharzias, malaria, TB, etc to help farmers improve their health.
•    Farmers are assisted to access credit from the Agricultural Development Bank to help them in their farming activities since the project inception.

b)    CASSAVA: ADDING VALUE FOR AFRICA (C:AVA)
This project was introduced into the District in 2009.
Thematic Areas of Activities  :
•    Establish one acre of improved cassava fields in 15 operational areas across the District totalling 15 acres.
•    Setup of one (1) Demonstration field for yield studies in one of the operational areas (Santase) for a C: AVA group of 20 males and 15 females.
•    Conduct yield studies on five (5) C:AVA fields in the district to ascertain the most-high-yielding varieties among the three tested varieties (Nkabom, Bankyehemaa and Esambankye).

Achievements
•    Through this project, farmers’ need for improved varieties of planting materials has been met through the supply of planting materials to RTIMP tertiary farmers for 2010.
•    Due to numerous fora organised for these groups in their communities, more technical knowledge has been acquired by many of them especially in the use of these improved varieties both for domestic and industrial purposes.
•    Record keeping has been enhanced.

c)    VILLAGE MANGO PROJECT (VMP)
The Village Mango Project is in seven (7) communities in the District. Nine hundred and twenty (920) farmers have been supplied with seven thousand, three hundred and sixty (7,360) mango seedlings under the project so far. The survival rate of seedlings is 60.5%.

d)    CARGILL RURAL EDUCATION PROJECT
The Rural Education Project, a partnership between Cargill and CARE, seeks to promote the welfare of farmers and ensure increase in cocoa yields as well as increase enrolment among children of school going age in 20 communities in the District.

•    The project goal is to promote prosperous, sustainable cocoa communities, through a community development approach that engages civil society to improve conditions in cocoa communities, reduce child labour and increase cocoa production.
•    CARE will accomplish this by jointly analyzing community problems, designing and implementing lasting solutions for good agricultural practices.

To ensure sustainability of project interventions, CARE’s strategy in mobilizing people and groups for effective community development is the use of Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) activities.

This project was launched in the District on 3rd December, 2010 and activities taking place now are Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) in all the selected communities after which Action plan would be drawn for the commencement of field work in the District.

4)    INFORMATION ON SPECIAL PROGRAMMES
a)    ROOT AND TUBER IMPROVEMENT AND MARKETING PROGRAMME (RTIMP)
The programme was introduced to the District in 2007.

Thematic Areas of Activities

•    In 2010 twenty (20) selected secondary farmers comprising of nineteen (19) males and one (1) female cultivated 20 multiplication sites; one acre each representing 20 acres across the District.
•    In 2011, additional twenty (20) secondary farmers comprising of one (1) male and nineteen (19) females have been selected to cultivate 20 multiplication sites.
•    Farmer field fora demonstration farms were established in the District from 2009 – 2011 within the following communities :
–    Afrisipa
–    Sukuumu
–    Nkwantabisa
–    Nsuapemkrom
–    Susuanso
–    Bomaa Apesika
•    Three (3) on farm cassava demonstration fields were established in 2009 for yield studies at;
–    Buokrukruwa
–    Koforidua
–    Yamfo
•    Processing Sites: nine (9) processing sites and one (1) Good Processing Centre (GPC) have been established from 2007 -2011.
•    Three Hundred and fifty (350) tertiary farmers comprising 250 males and 80 females were supplied with ten (10) bundles of improved cassava varieties for onward multiplication in 2010 representing (218.75 acres).
Capacity Building for staff in the following areas:
–    Management skills
–    Entrepreneurial skills
–    Group dynamics
–    Record keeping
–    Media training etc.

Achievements
•    Six (6) farmer field fora demonstration farms have been established in the district.
•    Forty (40) secondary multiplication farms have been established across the district.
•    Three (3) on farm demonstration fields have been established.
•    Ten (10) processing sites have been established including one (1) Good Processing Centre (GPC).
•    Three hundred and fifty (350) tertiary farmers benefitted from improved cassava planting materials free of charge.

b)    COCOA DISEASE AND PEST CONTROL PROGRAMME (CODAPEC)
This programme seeks to control black pod and diseases of cocoa and to increase yield. It was introduced into the District in 2004.

Thematic Areas of Activities:
•    The spraying is always in three (3) stages or rounds.
The first round always start from June, the second in August and the last round in September and ends in October.
•    Thirty-five (35) gangs comprising ten (10) sprayers each and thirty-five (35) supervisors are involved in this programme.
•    The estimated size of cocoa farms in the district is about 15,250 hectares and an average of 12,250 hectares is covered.
Achievements
•    The programme has helped in controlling black pod disease in the district.
•    There has also been an increase in yield of cocoa in the district due to the reduction of black pod disease.

Potentials:
•    The District has available land rich in plant nutrients for farming.
•    Availability of ready market (weekly market) for marketing food stuffs.
•    Presences of agricultural project/programmes in the district have been supportive of agricultural activities in the district.

http://mofa.gov.gh/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Tano-North-District-can-boast-of-a-number-of-cash-crops-including-Oil-Palm-as-cultivated-by-Prison-Service-in-Duayaw-Nkwanta.1.jpg 427w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 310px;"> Tano North District can boast of a number of cash crops including Oil Palm as cultivated by Prison Service in Duayaw Nkwanta.

http://mofa.gov.gh/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/The-Officer-in-Charge-OIC-looks-on-in-appreciation-of-the-good-harvest-of-oil-palm-in-the-Prisons-Farm-at-Duayaw-Nkwanta1.jpg 372w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 310px;"> The Officer in Charge (OIC) looks on in appreciation of the good harvest of oil palm in the Prisons Farm at Duayaw Nkwanta

http://mofa.gov.gh/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2010-National-Farmers’-Day-celebration-in-the-Tano-North-District.1.jpg 427w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 310px;"> 2010 National Farmers’ Day celebration in the Tano North District.

http://mofa.gov.gh/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/A-group-of-Women-particitpants-undergoing-training-in-the-use-High-Quality-Cassava-Flour-HQF-in-maeking-pastries-in-Duayaw-Nkwanta1.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 310px;"> A group of Women particitpants undergoing training in the use High Quality Cassava Flour (HQF) in maeking pastries in Duayaw Nkwanta

Sunyani Municipality is one of the twenty-two administrative districts in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. It lies between Latitudes 70 20’N and  70 05’N and Longitudes 20 30’W and 2010’W and shares boundaries with Sunyani West District to the north, Dormaa  East District to the west, Asutifi District to the south and Tano North District to the east. The Municipality has a total land area of 829.3 Square Kilometres (320.1square miles). One third of the total land area is not inhabited or cultivated which provides arable lands for future investment.

DEMOGRAPHY
Population Density
The population of the Municipality stands at 147,301 at a growth rate of 3.8%. The population density of the municipality is 122 persons per square kilometre (MPCU Computation, 2010).

According to a survey conducted by the Municipal Planning Coordinating Unit in 2010, the densely populated areas in the municipality include Zongo, New Dormaa and Area 2 in that order. Nkwabeng, Abesim and Nkrankrom constitute the medium densely populated areas. The low density areas are Estate, South Ridge, Airport Area, Atronie and Baakoniaba. The densely populated areas are mostly in the low income group whereas the less dense areas are mostly in the high and medium income groups.
Source: 2000 PHC, GSS, MPCU computation, 2010

WEATHER
Climate
The municipality falls within the wet Semi-Equatorial Climatic Zone of Ghana. The monthly temperatures vary between 23ºC and 33ºC with the lowest around August and the highest being observed around March and April. Relative humidity is 75 and 80% during the rainy seasons and 70 and 80% during the dry seasons of the year which is ideal for luxurious vegetative growth.

The average rainfall for Sunyani between 2000 and 2009 is 88.987cm. Sunyani experiences double maxima rainfall pattern. The main rainy season is between March and September with the minor between October to December. This offers two farming seasons in a year which supports higher agricultural production in the Municipality. However, the rainfall pattern of the Municipality is decreasing over the years as a result of deforestation and depletion of water bodies resulting from human activities.
Vegetation
Sunyani Municipality falls largely within the Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest Vegetation Zone. Most of the primary vegetation can be found in patches around the north-west, east and southern parts of the municipality. These include the Yaya and the Amama Forest Reserves. This vegetation zone also contains most of the valuable timber species. As indicated by the characteristics of the vegetation cover, tree crops such as cocoa and citrus can thrive well in this zone. As a result of lumbering and farming practices, most of the forest areas have been degraded. Reforestation is therefore being undertaken in the forest reserves to reverse the trend.

RAINFALL
The first quarter of 2009 recorded higher amounts than the first quarter of 2010 but the former recorded much more amounts than the later during the second and third quarters of the year. The distribution could be seen in the table below.

Table 1.0 the rainfall pattern of 2009/2010

•    Topography and Drainage
The Sunyani Municipality lies within the middle belt of Ghana with heights from 750 feet (229 meters) to 1235 feet (376 meters) above sea level. The topography of the municipality is fairly flat thus suitable for large scale agricultural mechanization. Cost of constructing houses and roads is relatively minimal due to the nature of the topography.

The drainage is basically dendritic with several streams and rivers, notably Tano, Amama, Kankam, Benu, Yaya and Bisi. Most of the water bodies are seasonal.  This often creates water shortage in the municipality during the dry season for both domestic and agricultural purposes.

Land Acquisition
Land acquisition for agricultural purpose is relatively cheaper in the municipality. Most farmers obtain land on rental basis while others obtain land either through the “abunu/abusa” basis with land owners. Agriculture in the Municipality is rain-fed with very little irrigation practice. Farmers cultivating vegetables along the banks of River Tano and other streams also practice irrigation farming.
Cocoa is the major tree crop offering about 80% of cash crop earnings in the Municipality. This is followed by oil palm and citrus.

•    Geology and Soil
Geologically, the Municipality is underlain by Precambrian formation which is believed to be rich in mineral deposits.   Associated with the Birimian formation are extensive masses of granite.

About 85% of soil in the Municipality generally falls into the ochrosols groups with good water retention capacity.  These soils are generally fertile and support the cultivation of plantain, cocoyam, maize, cassava and cocoa.  Notable settlements located within this soil group area are Atronie, Abesim, Yawhima and Nwawasua. Other soil types include the Birim Chichiwere Association.  This is an alluvial soil with poor water retention but good for the production of legumes, rice and vegetables.  They are mainly found in the south-eastern part of the Municipality around Asikasu and Nketiakrom.

Table 2.0 Sunyani Municipality: Forest Reserves

INVESTMENT
•    Environmental Situation
The major problem confronting the natural environment in the municipality is deforestation. Bushfires claim between 60-80% of the municipality’s agricultural lands annually. Until 2001 when the municipality was able to save about 80% of farmlands and forest reserves from burning, valuable timber resources, food crops and properties of various types were lost annually through bushfires. The major human activities negatively affecting the natural environment include land preparation for farming, actual cultivation and bush burning. The successive intensive use of land for agricultural purposes has reduced the fallow period of about 6-7 years to 2 or less. This has resulted in low soil fertility and the continuous demand for crops which originally did not require fertilizer. Presently, about 30-50 percent of the agricultural land in the Municipality is under cultivation.

•    Water Supply
Most of the water bodies are seasonal.  This often creates water shortage in the municipality during the dry season for both domestic and agricultural purposes.

AGRICULTURE
Major Economic Activities in the Municipality
Agricultural activities (including crop farming and animal husbandry) constitute the highest intake of workers in the municipality forming 45.9%, followed by Industry (carpentry, bricks and block laying, timber related industries, construction workers etc), 14.7 percent. Service and Administration (Government workers, financial institutions, Communication workers, Hairdressers, seamstresses etc), constitute 9.6 percent, Professional and Technical (Engineers, consultants etc.), 9 percent. Commerce, 8.6 percent whereas others such as head porters, truck pushers and mining form 1.4 percent (Municipal Assembly).

MAJOR CROPS PRODUCED
Food Security
Food is available in commercial quantities throughout the year. The supply of starchy staples and cereals in the market is satisfactory. Truckf loads of plantain, cassava, maize and citrus are transported from the Municipality on weekly basis to the Northern, Greater Accra and Western Regions. However, as a result of the decrease in rainfall pattern and deforestation, the forest is diminishing. Again, the introduction and widespread use of broad spectrum and or non-selective weedicides has brought about a decrease in the local production of cocoyam which is a major staple or foodstuff in the Municipality.

Vegetables such as, cabbage, garden eggs, carrots, sweet pepper, tomatoes and pepper are produced in commercial quantities all year round. They are sold in Sunyani and in, Kumasi, Accra, Takoradi and Tema among others.

Table 3.0 area under Crop Cultivation (In Hectares)

Source: MoFA, Sunyani, 2010

Table 4.0 Food Production Situation of Major Staples in the Municipality

Source: MoFA, Sunyani, 2010

Livestock Production
Livestock production in the Municipality is significant. Almost every household in the Municipality keeps some animal either to serve as source of protein diet or for use on important occasions or additional sources of income. Animals reared in the Municipality include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry (fowls, guinea fowls, duck, turkeys etc). Most of the animals are reared on small-scale basis and by the free-range method. Only few farmers keep poultry and other livestock on commercial purposes. Diseases like Newcastle for poultry, PPR for small ruminants etc are prevalent in the Municipality. Veterinary services are provided in the Municipality by the technical wing of MOFA.  The table below shows the number and percentage increase in livestock in the Municipality.

Table 5.0 Livestock census of Sunyani Municipality

Fisheries
The production facility of the fisheries stands at 96 ponds. The average pond size stands at 500m2 and the total area of ponds within the Municipality stands at 53,437.92m2. Fish is stocked as a monoculture of tilapia (O.niloticus) or catfish or polyculture of both species. According to the 2009 report, an average of fifty-one (51) farmers is involved 45 males and 6 females.

Table 6.0 TRENDS OF FISH PRODUCTION

POTENTIALS/ PROJECTIONS
1.    Development of cage culture in dams
2.    Development of fish hatchery and feed production plant
3.    Acquire suitable sites for pond development

•    Located in the North-Eastern portion of Sunyani, the Regional Capital of Brong-Ahafo Ghana
•    District Capital: – Yeji, about 310km from regional capital, Sunyani via Nkoranza/Techiman.
•    Lies between latitudes 7o 50’ N and 8o 22’ N and longitudes 0o 30 W and 1o 26’W.
•    Land Area:  2,195km2
•    Adjoining Districts:
East Gonja District to the North (N/R)
Sene District to the East
Nkoranza and Atebubu-Amanten to the South
Kintampo North and Kintampo South to the West.

TOPOGRAPHY & DRAINAGE
•    Generally plain with rolling and undulating land surface
•    General land elevation is between 60m -300m above sea level
•    Highest point is a little over 300m above sea level
•    Falls within the Voltain basin
•    Major water bodies: Volta lake, Pru River, Nyomo, Tanfi and Nwansi
•    Rivers flows through West of the District
•    Area is well drained
•    Drainage is generally dendritic.

SOIL
Good soils developed under Savanna vegetation.
•    Belong to the “ground water lateritic soil”
•    Formed over the voltain shale and granite.
•    Classified under the Damongo-Murugu/Ejura-Seni compound. Kowani-Kasele/Kpelesawgu-Limo compound, and Kpalsawgu-Changnaili-Lima compound associations.
•    Compound associations are fine textured, ranging from fine sandy loams and mostly poorly drained.
•    Soils are agriculturally important and support cultivation of yam, cassava, maize, rice, groundnuts, garden eggs, okro, tomatoes, and pepper.

CLIMATE
•    District experience the tropical continental or interior savanna type of climate which is a modified form of the tropical continental or Wet Semi-Equatorial type.
•    One major rainfall regime.
•    Major rains:     July   –   October
•    Minor rains:     April         –   June
•    Annual rainfall:     1400mm  – 1800mm
•    Mean monthly temperature ranges from 30 0C to 24 0C
•    Mean annual temperature ranges between 26.50C and 27.20C
•    Hottest months: Between March and April (30 0C – 40 0C)
•    Falls under the influence of North-East trade winds (Hamattan)
•    Climatic conditions are unstable in the District
•    Prolonged dry season between November and March/ April
•    Sunny conditions occur for most parts of the year
•    Relative humidity – Highest: 75-80% in wet seasons; lowest: 70-72% in dry season.

VEGETATION
•    Vegetation  types consist of grassland, wooded savanna or tree savanna and ‘fringe forest’
•    Interior wooded savanna (but not typical due to its transitional nature) or tree savanna.
•    Trees such as the Baobab,  Dawadawa, Acacia and the Shea butter are found in the zone
•    Trees are few and scattered along the margins of the Moist Deciduous Forest where trees often grow quite close together.
•    Grasses grow tussocks and can reach a height of 10ft or more

OTHERS
•    About 65% of the economically active population are engaged in agriculture
•    Average farm size is a hectare per farmer
Specialization & comparative advantage
Specialization in the agricultural sector can be observed in three main sectors.
i.    Animal Husbandry/poultry production
ii.    Food/vegetable production
iii.    Fisheries

DEMOGRAPHY
•    Population            98,077  (2008 estimated by Ghana Statistical Service)
i.    Males       49,886
ii.    Females   48,191   (Source – PDA)
•    Growth rate        3.6%
•    Density       42.8 persons/km
•    Labour force        52.8% ( readily available)
•    Age dependency ratio   1:0.84
•    Economic dependency ratio      1:1.26
•    Rural –Urban Split        66.9:33.1
•    AGE DISTRIBUTION

LIVESTOCK

Animal husbandry/poultry production

• Livestock production practice is subsistence farming
• Main animals reared: Cattle, Sheep and Goats

Animals census (2009)

CROPS

Food/vegetable production

• Major food crops cultivated are yam, cassava, maize, groundnut and rice.
• Major industrial crops produced are mango, cashew and teak
• Major vegetables cultivated are tomatoes, pepper and okro
• Main farming practice is shifting cultivation on mono and mixed cropping bases.
• Farmers depend mainly on rainfall.
• Bulk of agricultural produce is sold unprocessed.

PROGRAMMES

• Livestock Development Project (LDP)
• Northern Rural Growth Programme
• RTIMP
• Block Farming ( MOFA)

ACHIEVEMENTS

PROCESSED FISH PRODUCTION
The total processed fish (smoked & salted dried), captured as fresh fish weight equivalent that passed through the Yeji Market by the 3rd quarter of 2010 is shown in the table below.

MARKET PRICES OF PROCESSED FISH
Monitoring of prices of processed fish (smoked & salted dry) is carried out in the Yeji Market on every Monday which constitute the main market day in the week (the market days start on Sunday and end on Tuesdays). The average price per kilogramme for the various species that were sampled during the third quarter of 2010 is shown in the table below.

Prices of Fish in Yeji market (GH¢/kg) – 3rd Quarter, 2010

Monitoring of Illegal Fishing
Fisheries Regulations  L I 1968  has now been passed. Enforcement of Fisheries Laws will resume as soon as education of the fishers on the regulations is carried out.

General Sanitation
Sanitation at the main Yeji Shore (Salt Town) is carried out by ZOOMLION Co. Ltd. Cleaning at other landing sites in the district is carried out by the fishers themselves and they appear quite clean.

AQUACULTURE

The only existing cage farm, Gideon Farms, is being threatened by flooding of the lake.

Ownership and Employment Status of Cage Farm in Pru District

Stocking

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http://mofa.gov.gh/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Packaging-of-Fresh-Tilapia-at-Hutideke-for-transport-to-Accra1-1024x871.jpg 1024w, http://mofa.gov.gh/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Packaging-of-Fresh-Tilapia-at-Hutideke-for-transport-to-Accra1.jpg 1428w" sizes="(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 280px;"> Packaging of Fresh Tilapia at Hutideke for transport to Accra

Nkoranza North is one of the twenty-two newly created districts under the Legislative Instrument 1881 of 2007 and was officially inaugurated by the Government of Ghana in 2008. The district was carved out of the Nkoranza district.

DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
AGE AND SEX COMPOSITION
Nkoranza North District’s population is largely youthful with the economically active population of 18 – 64 years constituting 60.4%; age group of 0 – 18 years accounts for 36.4% whilst 3.2% of the population is 65 years and above. This shows an average dependency ratio of 1:0.7 (i.e.100:70) which is less than the regional dependency ratio of 100:90.5 and the national figure of 100:87.1.This implies that for every 100 persons in the productive age 70 persons provide support for the development of the District. This further means that there is a potential labour force for agriculture in the District.

The population structure of the District shows that 49.5% of the total population is male whilst 50.5% are females giving a male-female ratio of 1:1.02 which conforms to the regional sex ratio of 1:1.008.

AGE DISTRIBUTION IN NKORANZA NORTH DISTRICT

POPULATION SIZE AND GROWTH

The population density in the district is 32.8 people per square kilometre, which is less than the regional population density of 45.9 persons per square kilometre and the national figure of 49.3 persons per kilometre.

PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
LOCATION AND SIZE
The District lies within longitude 10 10’ and 10 55 west, and latitudes 70 20’ and 70 55’ North. The District shares boundaries with Kintampo South and Pru Districts to the north, Nkoranza South District to the south, Atebubu Amantin District to the east and Techiman Municipality to the west.

Busunya the district capital is 19.2 km from Nkoranza.  Relatively big towns like Dromankese, Bonte, Yefri, Dromankuma, Fiema, Kranka, Konkompe, Bono Manso, Odumase, Pinihini, Senya and Sikaa are far from the district capital.

Nkoranza North District has a total land area of 2,322 square kilometers about 7.84% of the total land area of Brong Ahafo region and about 1.3% of the country’s land area.

There are only two (2) urban settlements – the District capital, Busunya (9,243) and Dromankese (8,582) – which constitute the central business communities. The rest of the communities with population less than 5,000 people are rural and make up 97.2% of the total settlement.

TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE
Generally, the District is low lying and rises gradually from 153m – 305m above sea level. The District is fairly drained by several rivers and streams, notably the Pru, Tankor, Fanku, Abubre and Agyinfra.

They take their sources from the north-west portion of the District flowing to the south and north –west. Most of them are perennial due to the double maxima rainfall experienced in the district.

Ground water potential in the district is highly variable. Much depends on the nature of the underlying rock formations and rainfall. The present combination of the lack of water storage in the wet season, heavy run-off, high evaporation and low infiltration rates to change aquifers in some areas contribute to water deficiencies hampering human settlements and increased agricultural production.

GEOLOGY AND SOILS
The District is largely characterized by soils developed over voltaic sand stones. This geological feature together with vegetation influences and gives rise to two soil categories. One category develops under forest vegetation and the other under savanna vegetation. The District’s soils are mostly savanna ochrosols with some lithosols. The land is generally low lying and most of the soils are sandy loam and loamy.

These soil types which are fairly rich in nutrients tend to support both industrial and food crops which include cashew, mango, oil palm, citrus, maize, yam, groundnuts, cowpea, cocoyam, plantain, cassava, water melon and vegetables. Cotton and tobacco also grow within some parts of the District.

CLIMATE AND VEGETATION
Nkoranza North District is found within the Wet Semi-Equatorial region with a double maxima rainfall system. The mean annual rainfall ranges between 800mm and 1200mm. The first rain season (major season) normally begins from March to June, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in June whilst the second rainy season (minor season) is from August to November although the month of August experiences a short dry spell. The dry season starts in December and end in March. The temperature in the District is generally high averagely about 260C throughout the year. Average maximum temperature is 30.90C and minimum of 21.20C. The hottest months are February to April.

Nkoranza North District is part of the transitional zone between the Savanna Woodland of northern Ghana and the forest belt of the south. Thus savanna woodland and fewer areas of savanna re-growth largely characterize the eastern part of the District while southern part is largely marked by forest re-growth made up of shrubs and grasses with a few original tree species, especially silk cotton trees.

ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION
Food and industrial crop production is a major economic activity in the Nkoranza North District. The main method of land clearing is slash and burn which tends to bare the land exposing it to degradation .The degradation then results in low crop yields, low income levels and low standard of living.

Bushfires are rampant in the district despite enormous efforts directed towards bush fires prevention campaigns. Causes of bushfires include bad hunting and farming practices. They are a big threat to the environment particularly the vegetation (including forest reserves), animals, life and property.

Illegal chainsaw operations and charcoal production are on the increase in the district and are gradually becoming permanent businesses for most people in some communities in the District. These practices have negative impacts on the vegetation in the area and adversely affect rainfall in the District.

AGRICULTURE
The engine of the District’s economy is agriculture. It provides employment for about 70% of the district’s economically active population (labour force). A great number of households in the District are engaged in farming and other agricultural related activities. Farming in the District is small scale with average farm size ranging between 3 and 10 acres for all crops although there are exceptions.

CROP PRODUCTION
The main food crops produced in commercial quantities include maize, yam, cassava, plantain, cocoyam, groundnut, cowpea, sorghum and tomato; currently some farmers are showing interest in the production of water melon. Tree crops under cultivation in the District are notable cashew and mango.

Estimated Crop Area and Output in Nkoranza North District for 2010

POST-HARVEST LOSSES
Post-harvest losses are a major challenge to farmers in the District. The post-harvest losses which affect many crops such as tomato, yam, cassava and maize are attributed to inadequate appropriate storage facilities on one hand and unavailable ready market on the other hand.
The losses reduce farmers’ income and affects large scale crop production.

ANIMAL PRODUCTION
LIVESTOCK
Some of the different livestock reared in the District include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits and grasscutterss. Others are turkey, ducks, guinea fowls, poultry, local fowls and pigeons. Farmers engaged in the rearing of these animals do not give adequate attention with regards to breeding, nutrition, management and health of their stocks. The District Agricuture Office has therefore embarked on sensitization of farmers on good practices to develop the livestock industry.

The District Agricultural Development Unit is again embarked on sensitization exercise to educate livestock farmers towards the use of veterinary services at their disposal since the health aspects of their animals is paramount.
The current livestock census which is ongoing has recorded some numbers for the different livestock. The table below shows the numbers for these animals so far.

LIVESTOCK CENSUS FIGURES AS AT MAY, 2011

FISHERIES
The interest of farmers in the district is mainly in crop and livestock production and interest in fish farming and is located at Kunkunano, Fiema and Senya. Farmers are being encouraged to go into aquaculture to supplement their income.

FERTILIZER SUBSIDY PROGRAMME
As part of effort by the Government towards ensuring food security in the country, the Government continued to subsidize fertilizer prices. Farmers in the Nkoranza North District use a lot of fertilizer for their farming activities. The subsidy therefore has enabled most farmers to access, purchase and use fertilizer without which yields would have been poor and income levels low. A total of eleven thousand, one hundred and thirty-six bags of fertilizer was used during the 2010 farming season. The details are NPK, 7006bags: Sulphate of Ammonia, 2900bags and Urea 1230bags.

AGRICULTURAL LAND ACQUISITION AND USE
Land for agricultural purposes can be accessed by both natives and non-natives through share cropping or hiring system. The lease periods range from a few months for food crops and several years for cash crops.

POTENTIAL
The District has great potential for agriculture
These are:
•    Fertile soils which can support both food and plantation crops.
•    Bimodal or double rainfall maxima which are evenly distributed throughout the farming season.
•    The presence of permanent rivers and streams which could be tapped for irrigation schemes.
•    Availability of electricity for any agro-based industry
•    Favourable conditions for production of non-traditional commodities like honey and mushroom.

PROJECTS/ PROGRAMMES
ROOT AND TUBERS IMPROVEMENT AND MARKETING PROGRAMME (RTIMP)

The Programme started in the District in 2009 purposely to introduce improved cassava varieties to the farmers. Cassava varieties include Afisiafi and Bankyehemaa. Two categories of farmers (secondary and tertiary farmers) are involved in the Programme.  The RTIMP is also assisting farmers in yam minisett production and 23 sites have been selected for the yam minisett production this year.

CORAF/WECARD YAM MINISETT PROJECT

CSIR in collaboration with RTIMP and the Directorate is assisting a farmer group (champion farmers) located at Dromankese to produce yam minisetts.

BLOCK FARM PROJECT
The Directorate is participating in the Block Farm Project to ensure food security. This Project is expected to create employment for the populace especially the youth.  The Directorate facilitated the cultivation of 700acres of maize last year and currently has planned to cultivate 1,000acres in 2011.