GEOGRAPHIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC BACKGROUND

Population:                         –              160,000

Distribution:                       –              295 persons/sq/km

Farming population:       –              99,200

Location:                              –              Between latitude 5o 30’ and 5050’N and between longitude 00.35’ and  00.55’W

LAND USE POTENTIALS (SPECIFIC TO AGRICULTURE)

Total land Area                  –              32,000 ha

Arable land area               –              20,153 ha

Area under irrigation      –               5.3 ha

Estimated forest area    –                3,187 ha

CLIMATE:

The area falls within the wet semi – equatorial zone

Annual rainfall                                 –                1000mm to 1400mm (bimodal)

Dry season                                        –                December to March

Highest mean temperature         –              33.80c (between March and April)

Lowest mean temperature         –              29.40C (August)

Main rivers                                       –                Ayensu and Akora

Vegetation:                                      –                Transitional zone

–               Moist semi diciduous forest

–              Secondary forest – Celtic Triplochilon and Amitosis Chlorophora

TOPOGRAPHY: –                Very undulating due to years of extensive erosion

STORAGE FACILITIES AVAILABLE

–           Traditional barns

–          Storage cribs

–          Cocoa shed

–          Cocobod warehouse

CROP PRODUCTION

Major Food crops: – Maize, Cassava, Plantain, Yam, Cocoyam and Vegetables.

Plantation crops: – Citrus, Cocoa, Oil palm, Coconut, Sugarcane

MAIN LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY

Sheep, goat, pig, cattle, grasscutters and rabbits

Poultry (local and exotic)

MAJOR CROP WITH COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Pineapple (exotic varieties)

TREE SPECIES AVAILABLE

Mahogany, Wawa and Sapele

ON- GOING PROJECTS

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

ROOT AND TUBERS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL BUDGETARY SUPPORT (FABs)

ASUANSI AGRICULTURAL STATION

LOCATION
The Station is located at Nyamedom, a village near Asuansi in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District in the Central Region of Ghana. It is about 30 km North of Cape Coast. The road to the Station branches off the main Cape Coast-Kumasi to the West at about 100 meters after Asebu Township. The Station is close to the Asuansi Farm Institute and Asuansi Technical Institute. They are all located to the West of Nyamedom along the Nyamedom-Asomdwee road. Asuansi village itself is about 5km East of Nyamedom. Abakrampa is an important village on the way to the Station. Pillars are set to define the boundaries of the Station. This has been reinforced with barbed wires to prevent encroachment .It covers an area of about 256 ha (640 acres).
WEATHER
The Asuansi Agricultural Station lies in the southern fringes of the semi deciduous rainforest. It experiences a mean rainfall of about 980 mm. The rainfall pattern follows the traditional double maxima (bimodal) distribution experienced in most parts of southern Ghana. However the minor dry season in August is ill-defined and may be assumed to be a continuous raining season with two peaks. The rain starts in March and ends in early December. January and February are the clear dry months. Temperatures are generally warm and uniform throughout the year. Mean monthly temperature is about 26.90C.

The topography of the area consists of low hills and small knolls. Gradients are almost steep becoming on the knolls. The Kakum River and the Chichiwere stream are the main drainage ways of the station’s land. However, a few isolated upland depressions (dry valleys), are scattered over the site. Cape Coast granites that are known to be very rich in micas underlie the area. It gives rise to highly porous gravelly sandy loams over gritty sandy clay soils that are often rich in minerals especially potassium if they are not over-cropped or severely leached.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR ACTIVITIES
The major activities carried out at the Station are raising of tree crop seedlings, production and multiplication of root and tuber crops, production of coconut, oil palm and citrus fruits and conducting field adaptive trials.
Agricultural activities at the Station as of now are limited to only crops. Livestock (both small and large ruminants and mono-gastric such as pigs) and poultry are not being raised due to inadequacy of funds. These animals require constant feeding but taking into consideration the Station’s resources both human and monetary, the management decided to pursue ventures in crops alone which are mostly dependent on the weather with little human touch.
Under listed are the main agricultural activities being carried out at the station:
i)    Maintenance of existing old plantations
The Station has 3 old plantations consisting of 2 acre cocoa, 4 acre coconut and 1acre oil palm. The cocoa and coconut plantations were established in the 1970’s for the purposes of research into fertilizer requirements while the oil palm field was established during the early 1990. These 3 fields which were hitherto abandoned or given on contracts that did not benefit the Station were rejuvenated in 2007 by the new management to serve as sources of Internally Generated Fund (IGF), this time round for the Station. Since then IGF though not so high have been realized and paid into Bank Accounts of the Regional Director of Agriculture, Central Region, every year the cocoa field was weeded clean, unuseful coupons and old dead parts were removed whiles trees which cast shade were also felled. Routine spraying regime was then adopted and followed. Dead and diseased pods, especially those affected with black pod, were removed from the trees.
All the old dying fronds on the oil palm which had been neglected were pruned to give the trees fresh start. Trees which had been left to over grow to the extent that some turned into timber were chopped down by means of chain saw to allow for maximum air circulation and reduce or eradicate all other forms of competition.
Suffice it to say that, after all these maintenance measures, the Station was able to raise GHC 1,000.00 as IGF during the 2007 and 2008 cropping seasons.
With meager resource reflected in few field hands and casual (hired) labour being expensive and difficult to come by, the Station in 2009 decided to focus on the tree seedling production which is more or less considered to be of high value in monetary terms as compared to fruits of oil palm and coconut. Thus the much attention was not given to the existing plantations this time round.
The above given reason coupled with the erratic nature of the rains, yields in all the three crops were adversely affected and therefore it is envisaged that though the Station’s IGF will be high as compared to previous years the contribution of the old rehabilitated plantations will be nothing to write home about.

ii)   Raising of citrus, oil palm and mango seedlings for sale.
Based on the tenets of recommendations of the AgSSIP sponsored study on the future use of the National Agricultural Stations undertaken under the auspices of the National Directorate of the Crop Services in 2005, the Station took upon itself to raise seedlings of oil palm, citrus and mango to sell to farmers in order to raise revenue (IGF) for the Ministry and to help farmers alleviate problems associated with diseases, varietal types and yields that they (farmers) were experiencing after phasing out of nurseries by the CSD of MOFA in the early 1990s.
In this regard 2,000 potted and 3,000 bare rooted citrus seedlings and 1,200 mango seedlings were nursed with the intention to bud them with improved varieties again 2,500 oil palm seed nuts were purchased from Oil Palm Research Institute (OPRI) at Okumani to be raised into healthy seedlings in July 2008.
The Station is capable of budding more seedlings but the management team decided to start on a smaller note and observe the market since this is first time this venture is being started after a long break.

Presently (year 2011), the management of the Station has procured 3,100 germinated seed nuts and nursery bags from Oil Palm Research Institute at Okumaning and has nursed them to be sold to interested farmers during the minor farming season. Seven hundred (700) citrus seedlings have been budded and ready to be sold this major farming season (2011).
iii)    Improved Cassava and Sweet Potato Planting Material Multiplication.
Under the Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP), during the 2009 planting season, the Station established 25 acres cassava and 5 acres sweet potato improved planting material multiplication fields. Sweet potato planting materials capable of planting 30.5 acres were supplied to 3 Metro/Municipal/ Districts in the Central Region and one Municipality in the Volta Region for secondary and tertiary farmers’ multiplication, demonstrations and Farmers Field Fora (FFF) activities.
In October 2009, 1,350 bundles of cassava planting materials capable of planting 20 acres Afisiafi and 23.75 acres of Bankyehemaa were given to Assin North District of the Central Region under the USAID Female Fund Project ”Unleashing the power of cassava in Africa (UPoCA) in response to price crisis in Ghana.
During the 2010 planting season, the station established 7ha of various varieties of cassava planting material multiplication fields and 2 ha of various varieties of improved sweet potato vines multiplication sites.

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND.

Agona East District was curved out of the Agona Municipality, in the year, 2006. The District has a population of about 85,339; from the 2000 national population census, of which 49% are male and 51% are female. The District is among seventeen districts in the Central Region of Ghana. This forms about 5-6% of that of the Central Region. The District is in the Central Region. It is located within Latitude 50 30′, 50 50′ N and Longitude 00 35′ and 00 55′ W. The District has a total land size of 667 Square Kilometers. The District has the following neighbours; Birim Central Municipal to the North and North West, West Akim Municipal to the North East; Agona West Municipal to the West; Awutu – Senya District to the East; Gomoa East District, to the South East. The Agona East District Agricultural Development Unit (DADU) was established in 2009 after the district had been curved out from the Agona Municipal Agriculture development Unit (MADU). In 2010, a substantial District Director was posted in to the District to oversee the development of the District. At the moment, the district is divided into eleven operational areas. Of the eleven, ten (10) are operational and have highly experienced field officers taking charge of those operational areas. The District capital, Agona Nsaba is approximately thirty – five kilometers north of Winneba.

RELIEF, DRAINAGE AND TOPOGRAPHY

The nature of the land surface (Topography) ranges from undulating to high grounds. The district has low grounds with altitudes of 75meters and high grounds with altitude of 350 meters above sea levels. The district has isolated hillocks which are made of granite rocks. There are also mushy and wet lands which are usually the low lands. The district has two main rivers; i.e. Akora and Ayensu. This two main rivers have small rivers such as; Krufa, Samsum, Dutch, Nkumkum and Oboyambo forming tributaries. There are other seasonal water bodies such as Afona, Duakwateaa, Zongomu and Ameang. These water bodies are very useful for the construction of small scale dams for irrigation which could facilitate all year round crop productions

WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The District has two main cropping seasons, i.e. A bi – modal rainfall pattern. The peak periods of rains ranges from the late May to early July and August to October annually. Annually rainfall figures ranges between 1000mm – 1400mm per annum. During this period, there is usually high humidity and cloudy skies with sunny days, such conditions are usually characteristics of the major rainy season. The dry season commences from mid December to early April annually. Such periods are usually characterized with high day temperatures and low day humidity. Maximum day temperatures could reach as high as 33.80 and night temperatures could be as low as 20.90 , in the minor season and in the major seasons, the maximum day temperatures could reach as high as 29.40 , during such periods, however, night temperatures could reach and average of 23.80. Most arable lands are cropped in the major seasons. The minor seasons are very good periods for vegetable cultivations.

SOIL AND VEGETATION
The district is found in between the moist tropical and semi – deciduous forest zone. The District is vest in tree and cash crops. The vegetation covers of the district ranges from shrubs and grass to trees, stretching from the Southern to the Northern ends of the District, and from the East to the West. The major soil types in the District are the forest Ochrosols, Oxysol integrates, Tropical black earth, and forest lithosols. The soils are high rich in nutrients and soil mineral components. These soil types are slightly acidic to alkaline with a ph ranges of 6 – 9, across the District. Due to the vegetation cover, there is minimal water erosion in the District.

LAND USE
Most of the indigenes are farmers. The total area under cultivation is 166,750 (HA). It has a land bank of about 207,350 Ha out of 50,200 Ha is forest reserve. The main food crops cultivated are maize, cassava, plantain and cocoyam. Vegetables such as cabbage, cucumber, pepper, garden eggs, tomatoes, okra are produced. Tree crops such as Cocoa, Coconut, Oil palm, Citrus, are produced exclusively in the district. Cultivation of Sweet pepper and water melons are progressing steadily. Production of pineapples and rice has begun springing up. The District has potentials to increase in the production of these crops.

INVESTMENTS
More of SMEs, Agro –businesses and Agro – processing businesses are springing up. Agro – chemical retailers are gradually springing up. Farmers are looking into most cash crops and export crops such as pineapples. More farmers are forming groups and are dealing with more financial institutions such as Pro –credit. There are NGOs entering into animal rearing in the District. New NGOs could seek collaboration with the District Directorate of Agriculture to explore opportunities.

The District Directorate of Agricultural is collaborating with other institutions, such as financial institutions and NGOs to establish more agro – business and agro- processing sectors. These are aimed at expanding the economy of the District, increase income, create jobs, ensure food security and enhance the standard of living. The above and more can be achieved due to the availability of high technical officers who provide exclusive extension activities.

There are more investment opportunities in the District in enterprises such as agro – processing and Agro – chemical distributions. Ventures such as poultry and pig production have high comparative advantages. The nontraditional sector such as apiculture, aquaculture, snail farming and afforestation woodlot establishment possess high comparative advantages in the District. The land tenure system is very flexible for investment.

DETAILED INFORMATION ON MAJOR CROPS PRODUCTION
The crop production sector possesses tremendous areas for investment which would rack in high returns. Raw materials such as maize, cassava, sugar cane, oil palm, citrus and Copra / Coconut are more available for processing. Farmers could be supported with irrigation facilities to facilitate all year round production of crops and vegetables for the local market and export.
There are avenues for export crops such as banana, pineapple, chili pepper and ginger in the District.

PRODUCTION FIGURES OF MAJOR CROPS

DETAILED INFORMATION ON MAJOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

Animal rearing is very much progressive in the District.

NON TRADITIONAL COMMODITIES

SUMMARY OF FIELD DEMONSTRATIONS

AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Agricultural is the mainstay of the people. About 80-90% of the district total population involved directly or indirectly on agriculture of which female are the majority. Arable farming is predominantly agricultural activity while animal husbandry or livestock farming is practiced marginally.

The female farmers in Agona East District make up to 50% of the farmer and agro- processing work force in the district. These hard working female groups and individuals are into crop and livestock production. Crops such as maize, cassava, plantain, citrus and vegetables like cabbage, pepper, okro, tomatoes and others are mostly cultivated in the district.

INFORMATION ON ALL SPECIAL PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.

1. WEST AFICA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMME (WAAPP)

The Agona East District Agriculture Development Unit was selected in the central region to benefit from the pilot programme of the West Africa Agriculture productivity programme (WAAPP). The project is aimed at multiplying cassava planting materials and demonstrating high yielding to farmers. The programme started on the 1st October, 2010. A one (1) acre plot was cultivated with planting materials from Mampong. The varieties planted on the plots are Tek Bankye and Bankye hemaa at Deborase, in the Agona East District. Field days on planting, fertilizer application, fire belt construction, disease and pest control have been organized so far on the plot.

2. THE ROOT AND TUBER IMPROVEMENT AND MARKETING PROGRAMME (RTIMP)

The root and tuber improvement and marketing programme is still ongoing in the district. Five secondary multiplication sites have been established. The cassava variety is “Bankyi Hemaa”. The project is aimed at multiplying cassava planting materials to be distributed to farmers. All the farms are in their seventh month.

3. THE EXPORT MARKETIMG AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROJECT (EMQAP)

The project is aimed at producing quality horticultural crops such as Pineapple, Chili Peppers, Cassava, Vegetables and other fruit crops, for domestic and international markets. More pineapple, pepper and cassava farms are being established. DADU is looking forward to encourage more farmers to establishing banana and other tree crops.

4. THE BLOCK FARM PROGRAMME

The 2011 major season block farm programme is one of the major agricultural programmes of the district. This programme is aimed at enhancing food security, income generation and job creation as in line with the FASDEP II objectives.

5. THE COCKEREL PROJECT

The cockerel project was started in December 2010 is progressing in the district. The good breeds of cockerels are expected to improve the local fowl breed. The project is aimed at job creation and food security and income generation of farmers which is in line with the Food and Agricultural Sector Development Programme (FASDEP II).

6. THE PIGGERY PROJECT

This project is one of government’s interventions of job creation, income generation and food security by beneficiary farmers. The project is progressing steadily and beneficiary farmers are taking good care of the pigs even though there are challenges with

Feeding and husbandry practices in some farms.

MARKET CENTRES

At the moment there are no major market centres in the district, however, the district can boast of small markets in some communities like Duakwa, Nsaba, Kwanyako and Mankrong Junction. However, these markets have potentials for expansion.