Location and size.

The Wa West District is one of the nine districts that make up the Upper West Region. It was created in 2004 by legislative instrument 175 with Wechiau as the District capital. The District is located in the Western part of the Upper West Region, approximately between longitudes 40ºN and 45ºN and Latitudes 9ºW and 32ºW. The district has two paramountcies namely Wechiau and Dorimon .It comprises of five Area Councils, namely Dorimon, Ga, Gurungu, Vieri, and Wechiau with approximately 208 communities. It shares borders to the south with Northern Region, North-West by Nadowli District, East by Wa Municipal and to the West by The Republic of Burkina Faso. (Appendix A is the District sketch Map).

Topography and Drainage

The district lies in the Savanna high plains, which is generally undulating with an average height of between 180m and 300m above sea level. A distinct uni-modal rainfall pattern is experienced in the district. The rolling nature of the landscape is good for agriculture and other physical developments. The main drainage system is the Black Volta River and its tributaries. Most of the tributary/ streams are seasonal and thus disrupting road transport during the rainy season along some major roads leading to the District capital.

Geology and Soil

The district is underlain predominantly by Precambrian, Granite and Metamorphic rocks that have seen less weathering due to low rainfall, high evapo-transpiration and less vegetation. Nevertheless, water harvesting from boreholes has been successful because the rocks have well-developed fracture systems. There are two main soil types, the most extensive being the ground water lateritic soil. There is also the Savanna orchrosols found along the Black Volta. These soil types occupy a toposquence, and vary from shallow and gravelly soils on undulating terrains to deep, grayish brown alluvial clay bottomlands.

Climate

The Wa West District enjoys two marked seasons. The rainy season begins in May and ends in September and the dry season also begins in October and ends in April. The mean annual rainfall figures vary between 840mm and 1400mm. A very important feature of rainfall in the district is that it is erratic in nature i.e it is torrential and poorly distributed.

The soil moisture is adequate for the cultivation of crops such as guinea corn, millet, maize, yam, groundnuts, soyabeans and cowpea. The unreliable nature of rainfall in the district affects plant growth negatively resulting in poor harvest from year to year. Temperatures are high in most part of the year, ranging between 22.5ºC to 45ºC, low between December and January, and high between March and April. Average monthly maximum temperature is 33ºC whereas the daily highest is 35ºC.

Vegetation

The vegetation of the Wa West District is of the Guinea Savanna grassland. The predominant trees in the district are Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa), dawadawa (Parkia biglobosa), Kapok (Ceiba pentandra), Baobab (Adansonia dipitata), mahogany (Khaya snegalensis), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), mangoes (Mangifera indica), Akee apple (Blighia sapida), Guava (Psidium guajava),Teak(Tectona grandis), Neem (Azadirachta indica). The last two, namely cashew and mango are exotic species, which also thrive well in the district. Large tracts of the natural vegetation are disappearing, largely due to human activities in the form of cultivation of new farms, overgrazing, bushfires and charcoal production. There are also gallery forests along the Black Volta River and its tributaries. Climbers and shrubs are common plant types found in the guinea Savanna.

Environmental Situation

Large tracts of the natural tree vegetation are disappearing in the District due largely to human activities in the form of cultivation, over-grazing, bush fires and charcoal burning. This situation must be checked to avoid environmental degradation and the destruction of important soil micro-organisms. Traditional farming practices such as slash and burn, shifting cultivation, and also road construction, sand and gravel winning degrade the land in the district. Farming along water courses has led to the silting of many streams and other water bodies. There is therefore the need to desilt these water bodies in order to make water available for dry season farming and other domestic purposes. The activities of Fulani herdsmen on the environment cannot be overemphasized. They take advantage of the ECOWAS Protocol and bring in herds of alien cattle into the district. Apart from the overgrazing done by their cattle, they also cut down economic trees such as Shea trees to feed their cattle. Worse still, they allow their cattle to graze on farms. This has often resulted in reduction of farm yields and income levels of farmers and women in the district who are the major pickers of the sheanuts. To forestall environmental degradation, there is the need to establish tree plantation such as cashew, mango, sheanuts and also curb the activities of the alien Fulani herdsmen.

The built environment of the district consists of private residential housing units, as well as educational, health and other administrative institutions. The dams also constitute the building environment. There is complete absence of development control in the district, especially the district capital Wechiau. This has resulted in misuse as well as under use of the land. Poor sanitation and personal hygiene practices such as indiscriminate defecation are major factors that impact negatively on the environment. Sensitization of the people to use the few sanitation facilities and the enforcement of environmental bye laws need to be reinforced along side with the provision of household latrines and other sanitation facilities.

Religion, ethnicity and major economic activities

With respect to religious composition, Christians, Traditional African Religion and Muslims constitute the population. Majority of the people are subsistence farmers whilst a few along the banks of the Black Volta other water bodies engage in fishing. Most of the women engage in pito brewing, petty trading and shea butter extraction. The most predominant tribe in the District is the Brefor with dialectical variations, followed by Waala and Dagaabas. There are other minor tribes such as the Hausa, Asante’s, etc. They co-exist peacefully and inter marry.

Water Supply

The provision of potable water for the people in the district is a herculean task because of the settlement pattern. There are small communities or settlements scattered throughout the length and breadth of the district. The sources of water are streams, rivers, small dams and the Black Volta River on the western corridor of the district along the Burkina Faso boundary. To address the water problem in Wechiau Township, the District Assembly is providing town with pipe borne water through CWDA and to drill 55 bore holes district wide and to rehabilitate the broken down bore holes. Over 140 hand dug wells were also sunk district wide with support from Pronet North.

Demographics

Population

The 2000 National Population and Housing census results put the Wa West District population at 69,170. This is about 6.20% of the Upper West Region’s total population of 576,583. The population comprises 33,547 males and 35,623 females representing 48.50% and 51.50% respectively and the sex ratio is 94 males to 100 females (Source:200 NPHC). Using the growth rate of 1.7%, the projected population for 2009 is 80,502, comprises 39,043 males 41,459 females representing 48.50% and 51.50% respectively and the sex ratio is 94 male to 100 females ( Source: WWDA). There is intense pressure on the natural resource particularly land for agricultural production as well as socio-economic facilities. The growth rate of the district is estimated to be 1.7%.

Labour Force

Seasonal migration is an important characteristic of the Wa West District population. Migration is now a global phenomenon and generally refers to the movement of people from their birthplace to a new place of residence for various reasons. In the case of Wa West District, this happens during the long period of dry season from October to April annually when the youth especially migrate to the southern parts of Ghana to undertake any jobs they can find to avoid staying underemployed throughout this period. The trend now is that more of females migrate to the south of Ghana to serve as “Kayayo” or “tavama”. Migration has a serious implication on the development of the district: losses of productivity, the possibility of contracting HIV/AIDS and other STDs as well as unplanned pregnancies are some of the possible effects.

AGRICULTURE

Crops.

The agricultural economy in the district is basically rural in nature involving over 90% of the population who are subsistent farmers. The farming system in the district is dictated by the agro-ecological conditions; largely by the rainfall pattern which is uni -modal. Two clearly defined farm types are recognized in the district. These are compound and bush farms. Compound farms surround the settlement and are put under intensive cultivation on annual basis. Land preparation is by hand hoeing and in few cases, draught animals and tractors are used. Fertility management of the soil lies in the use of household refuse, crop residue and animal dung. Crops planted are mostly maize, sorghum groundnut cowpea and vegetables. Stimulant crop such as tobacco may also be planted but on a very small scale. Yields realized on compound farms are usually not the best due to low yielding varieties coupled with low soil fertility and erratic rainfall. Bush farms on the other hand, are cultivated further away from the settlements and cropping pattern may be alternated with short fallows or rotations. There is great diversity of crops cultivated. These may include cereals legumes, roots and tubers as sole crops or intercropped. Land preparation is by hand hoeing, draught animals or by the use of tractors. Land holdings are usually large and crops normally depend on the inherent fertility of the soil to complete their life cycle. This answers why farmers rotate their crops and to a larger extend fallow their lands. That which is characteristic of bush farms is the integration of economic trees (Shea/ dawadawa) that are well protected on the same piece of land. Plantation crops such as cashew, mangoes are consciously established by farmers in the district. Mango plantations are established (100 acres each) at Chiatanga and Chogsia.

2010 CROPPED AREA AND PRODUCTION OF SELECTED CROPS.

NO.	CROP	CROPPED AREA IN HECTARES	PRODUCTION IN METRIC TONNES
1.	Maize	4880 (12,200 ACRES)	6832
2.	Sorghum	7100 (17,750 ACRES)	7100
3.	Millet	7180 (17,950 ACRES)	3590
4.	Rice	1450 (3,625 ACRES)	3190
5.	Yam	4830 (12,075 ACRES)	55642
6.	Groundnuts	18300 (45,750 ACRES)	29280
7.	Cowpea	3840 (9,600 ACRES)	3456
8.	Soya bean	4250 (10,625 ACRES)	6800

Source: RADU, 2010 annual crop survey.

Fisheries

The district is blessed with a number of water bodies including the Black Volta. Inland fishing is practiced as an economic activity in the district.

Livestock

The raising of large ruminants, small ruminants, poultry and pigs is a common practice in almost every household in the district. Cattle however, are treated as a household asset and directly under the control of the family head. Small ruminants, pigs and poultry can be owned by individual members of the family. Generally, livestock are raised to meet certain social, financial and economic needs. Production is mainly traditional and a good number of them are left to feed on free-range. Housing in most cases is inappropriate and health care is very minimal.

SUMMARY OF LIVESTOCK CENSUS, 2010

ANIMAL TYPE	CATTLE	SHEEP	GOATS	SWINE	DONKEYS	POULTRY	HORSES
POPULATION	28,789	17,873	13,798	14,045	75	100,552	1

SOURCE: DADU WA WEST DISTRICT, 2010 ANNUAL REPORT.

PROJECTS

Central government funded other projects – Livestock Development Project (LDP), Rice Sector Support Project (RSSP), Root and Tubers Improvement Programme (RTIMP), West Africa Agricultural Productivity Project (WAAPP),

The presence of four (4) NGOs is recognized in the district – Emergency Rice Initiative Project (ERP), ACDEP, Plan Ghana, and Sustainable Livelihood Project as a way of moving Agriculture forward in the district.

Table: List Government funded Projects and NGOs

Projects	Start Time	End Time	Achievement
Livestock Development Project (LDP	2003	2010	Capacity building
Rice Sector Support Project (RSSP),	2009	2013	Capacity building
Root and Tubers improvement and Marketing Programme(RTIMP).	2009	2014	Capacity building
West Africa Agricultural Productivity Project(WAAPP)	2011		Capacity building
ACDEP – NGO	2010		Credit. Capacity building Groups formation Support soyabean production
Plan Ghana -NGO	2006	2010	Child support Provision of cattle &goats to women groups Capacity building
Emergency Rice Initiative Project( ERP),	2009	2012	Capacity building
Sustainable Livelihood Project – NGO	2005	2010	Capacity building

CONTACT DETAILS

P. O BOX 21

Wa

West District

APPENDIX A (SKETCH MAP OF WA WEST DISTRICT):

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Location and Size

The Wa East district was curved out of the former Wa District and made a district by L.I 1746 in July 2004. The district is located in the south eastern part of the Upper West region. Funsi, the district capital is about 115km away from Wa which is the regional capital. The district shares boundaries with West Mamprusi to the northwest, West Gonja to southeast and the Sissala East district to the north. It has a landmass of about 3,196.4km², which is located between latitudes 9º 55′ and 10º 25’n and longitude 1º 10’w and 2º 5’w. The district occupies 17.3% of the total landmass of the region (18,478.4Km2). The remoteness of the district relative to other districts of the region has deprived it of basic social and economic infrastructure and services.

Topography and Drainage

The land is generally undulating with height between 180-1300m above sea level. Drainage in the district is the dendrite type, dominated by the Kulpawn River and its tributaries. Most of the rivers over flow their banks during the rainy seasons and render most parts of the district inaccessible during this period. However, they dry up during the dry season. These rivers provide vast potentials for the construction of irrigation dams for dry season farming.

Geology and Soil

The district consists mainly of igneous and metamorphic rocks and they are noted for deposits of gold, iron and bauxite. Illegal Small scale mining activities are therefore taking place in communities such as Bulenga, Duu, Johnfia and Donyukura. The rocks also offer opportunities for a vibrant quarrying industry and their artistic nature present attraction for tourists.

The soils are mainly sandy loamy which are very fertile and suitable for the cultivation of tubers, cereals, legumes etc. Some soils have low inherent fertility with poor physical characteristics due to continuous cropping leading to low yields in such areas

Climate

The climate is tropical equatorial, which prevails throughout the northern part of Ghana. Temperatures are high all-year, reaching its peak in March/April during which there could be an outbreak of Ceribo Spinal Meningitis. During this period temperatures could reach as high as 42cº. The temperatures are lowest in December/January, with temperatures about 22cº. The Harmattan, characterized by cold, dry dusty wind with occasional haze occurs between Novembers to April.

The district has a single rainfall regime, May-October. The average annual rainfall is about 1,200mm/year and they are torrential, erratic and stormy. The torrential and stormy nature of the rainfall annually comes with the destruction of buildings and farmlands. The single rainfall regime does not make farming all year round possible. Most farmers therefore become redundant during the long dry season, from November to May. There is therefore the need for irrigation facilities in the district to provide employment opportunities during this period.

Vegetation

The vegetation is made up of scattered trees, shrubs and grasses of varying heights. The common trees in the district include shea, baobab, kapok, dawadawa, acacia, neem, ebony, mangoes, cashew and acheaple. Annual bush burning, inappropriate farming practices, indiscriminate cutting of trees for wood, charcoal and poor animal husbandry practices have destroyed 30 percent of the natural vegetation. The district is also blessed with the Ambalaara forest reserve, which has various species of animals namely antelopes, baboons, monkeys and lions. The grassy nature of the vegetation which is excellent for grazing annually attracts large numbers of alien Fulani herdsmen into the district. The influx of these Fulani herds of cattle has a very negative and devastative effect on the environment. Fields are left bare due to due over grazing. Also food crops both in storage and on farm are some times destroyed by the cattle.

Water Supply

Table 1: Status of potable water facilities in the Wa East district

Facilities
Boreholes	HDW with pump	Small Water system	Dams/dugouts
92	12	1	14

Demographic Characteristics

Sex and Age Distribution

The district’s has a low sex ratio of 100 males to 103 females. The population of the district is youthful comprising 47% (between 0-14 years), 49% between 15-60 years and 4% over 60 years old. The district therefore has a high dependency ratio.

Migration

The soil fertility in the district has attracted migrant farmers and Fulani herdsmen from the nearby districts of Nadowli and Jirapa/Lambussie into the district. This has served to expand crop and livestock production. However, the destruction of farmlands by Fulani herdsmen and the environmental degradation which result from their activities often bring them into conflict with the local people. There is also a migration of people out of the district especially in the dry season. The youth who formed the majority of the lobour force moved down south to search for miniature jobs.

INVESTMENTS IN AGRICULTURE

Potential investment opportunities exist in agriculture in the district. These include the following;

• Lowland /valley bottoms for expanded irrigation and rice production.
• Suitable land for tree crops cultivation (mango and cashew).
• Vast land for cash crops cultivation (cotton, soya beans, industrial maize).
• Water bodies for culture fish production (aquaculture).
• Large wild shea nuts picking and processing (women).

Investments in the agricultural sector are still very low as compared to the potentials mention above. A lot needs to be done to ensure the full exploitation of these potentials.

2. MAJOR CROPS PRODUCED

The major crops produced in the District and the production levels are included in table one below for 2008 – 2010

Table 1 Production levels of major crops

CROP	ACHIEVABLE MT/HA	ACTUAL (MT/HA)			ACTUAL LAND AREA			ACTUAL PRODUCTION (MT)
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
Maize	2.5	1.4	1.6	1.8	5,295	6,300	7,500	7,479	10,390	11,296
Sorghum	1.5	1.0	0.9	0.98	3,310	4,100	5,080	3,383	3,690	4,033
Millet	1.3	0.6	0.7	0.7	6,025	6,400	6,800	3,434	4,160	4,583
Rice	3.5	1.5	1.8	2.3	482	600	750	735	1,080	1,360
Groundnut	1.0	1.0	1.4	1.6	11,792	11,900	12,010	11,792	19,040	19,080
Cowpea	1.3	0.9	0.9	0.93	4262	4,900	4,410	3,836	4,410	4,557
Soya bean		–	–	1.5	4,115	4,300	4,490	390.9	6,020	6,390
Yam	20.0	11.5	11.8	21.4	5,359	3,700	5,180	27,176	44,000	47,000
Cassava	28.0	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

3. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

There is a high potential for livestock and poultry production in the district. It is the second most important agricultural activity under taken by farmers for income generation and home consumption.

The major livestock and poultry kept by farmers include cattle, sheep goats, swine, rural poultry, guinea fowls turkeys, ducks and pigeons.

Farmers greatly supplement their incomes from livestock and poultry.

Table: Production of Livestock and Poultry

Species	2008	2009	2010
Cattle	37,000	39,000	40,700
Sheep	29,500	31,600	32,700
Goats	34,400	34,700	35,900
Swine	5,200	5,900	6,050
Rural poultry	100,000	110,000	112,000

FERTILIZER SUBSIDY

Data on fertilizer subsidy programme are indicated in table below

Table: Fertilizer Subsidy

FERTILIZER TYPE	QUANTITY SUBSIDISED IN 50KG BAGS			REMARKS
	2008	2009	2010
NPK 15:15:15	3,596	4900	Nil	Farmers purchased direct from distributors in Wa.
NPK 23:10:05	1750	2350	Nil
S/A	3015	4963	Nil
UREA	Nil	988	Nil

SPECIAL PROJECTS

There are about thirteen (13) special projects being implemented in the district through donor support and NGOs. Details of such projects are indicated in the table below.

Table 6: Special Project

NAME/TYPE OF PROJECT	SPONSORS	INTERVENTIONS AREAS	AMOUNT INVOLVED	YEAR STARTED	YEAR END
Livestock Development Project (LDP)	AfDB/GOG	Capacity building Vaccinations Credit in cash/kind Water source construction. Fodder banks		2005	2010
Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP)	IFAD GOG	Establishment of secondary production multiplication farms. Establishment of tertiary fields		2008	2016
Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP)	IFAD/AfDB GOG	Improving agricultural production through commodity value chain development.		2009
Rice Sector Support Project (RSSP)	French Dev’t Agency	Development of lowlands for expanded rice production		2010	2015
N2 Africa Project. SARI/MOFA Collaboration	Bill Gate Foundation	Enhancing increased legumes production through dissemination of best production packages on (cowpea, soya bean and groundnuts)		2010	2012
AGRA Soil Health Project (AGRA SHP)	Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa	Soil fertility improvement for cereal based production systems and evaluation of maize varieties for drought tolerant and hybrid maize production.		2010	2011
Plan Ghana-EU Food Facility Project.	European commission Plan Ireland	Expanded crops production maize/soya bean in 10,000 hhs in 100 communities. Inventory credit scheme. Operation of village savings and loans Associations		2010	2011
ADRA-EC Northern Ghana Food Security Resilience \project. (NGFCRP)	EUROPEAN Commission (EC) ADRA UK	Expanded maize production and capacity building of farmers in 1,500 hhs		2010	2011
Concern Universal/UNDP Food Security Facility Project	EC/UNDP	Expanded maize production in 200 households in 5 communities. Supply hermetic storage poly sacks to farmers Supply of 2 maize shellers to 2 communities (Kunyebin and Yaala II)		2010	2011
Africa 2000 Net Works/UNDP Programme	UNDP	Support to three groups with agro-processing machines and buildings. Support to groups with animal traction equipment and bullock. Support to 4 communities with certified seeds and fencing wires for crops production. Support to groups with small ruminant/poultry/guinea fowl for raring		2008	2011
Plan Ghana Animal Projection Project		Support to 9 women groups in animals production and animal traction		2007	2010
Special Rice Initiation Project (MOFA/SARI/DDO Collaboration)	CRS	Support for the vulnerable in rice production.		2009	201
PROMISO 2 PROJECT. Promoting millet and sorghum production. (MOFA/SARI Collaboration)	European Commission (EC)	Improved sorghum and millet production in 2 communities (Bulenga and Loggu)		2011	2011

SPECIAL PROGRAMMES

Table: Special Programme

NAME/TYPE OF PROGRAMMES	INTERVENTIONS AREAS	FUNDING SOURCE	YEAR STARTED	YEAR END
Youth In Agric. Production (Block Farms)	Support for expanded maize, rice, soybean and sorghum production.	GOG	2008	Up to date 2010
Fertilizer subsidy/ coupons programme	Support to farmers for increased production by way of subsidy on fertilizers	GoG	2008	Up to date
Farmer registration exercise	Compilation of data on all farmers in district.	GOG	2010	2011
TUDRIDEP/NGO	Support for crops production and marketing of produce. Support to farmers with sheep/goats breeding stocks.		2007	2011
FAO Support to 2007/2008 Flood Victims production	Supply of 35 water pumping machines and 364 to PVC pipes to 2 groups for dry season farming at dam sites streams. Supply of vegetable seeds fertilizers and cowpea seeds and agro chemicals for crops production.	FAO	2007	2010
PRONET GHANA Support for Vegetables production.	Support to 3 communities with garden nursery materials seeds etc. for vegetable production (Loggu, Bulenga, Manwe)	UNDP/African 2000 NW	2007	2009

ACHIEVEMENTS 2008-2010

Key DADU achievements over the years in the agricultural sector are;

Crop production

Expanded crops technologies adoption by farmers who participated in the various crops production packages. An average of about 60% adoption by farmers who were reached out with extension messages through demonstrations and other projects interventions was achieved. The table bellow indicates summaries of achievements.

Table 8: Achievement

ACTIVITY INDICATORS	INDICATORS LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENTS OR OUTPUTS (MT)
	2008	2009	2010
Percentage increase in yields of major crops in; Maize Sorghum Millet Rice Groundnuts Cowpea Soya beans Yams	7,479 3,383 3,434 735 11,792 3,836 3,909 27,176	10,395MT 3,690MT 4,160MT 1,080MT 19,040MT 4,410MT 6,020MT 44,000MT	11,296MT (9%) 4,013MT (8.8%) 4,583MT (7.7%) 1,360MT (27.8%) 19,080MT (0%) 4,557.5MT (3%) 6,390MT (7%) 47,000MT (7%)
Percentage increase in number of livestock; Cattle Sheep Goats Pigs Rural poultry	37,000 29,500 34,400 5,200 100,00	39,000 31,600 34,700 3,900 110,000	40,700 (4.40%) 32,700 (3.50%) 35,900 (3.70%) 6,050 (2.50%) 112,000 (1.80%)
Extension services delivery; Numbers of farmers reached with improved technologies	9176 farmers 5573 males 3603 females	5,253 farmers 3,691 males 1,562 females	14,702 farmers 8,679 males 6,023 females
Number of farmers reached with livestock technologies	3479 farmers 2091 males 1388 females	661 farmers 532 males 129 females	2821 farmers 1782 males 1039 females
Numbers of on-farm demos conducted with farmers	50 acres of on farm demonstrations plots with 50 farmers. Maize /cowpea.	54 demos plots of one acre each of maize and livestock (pigs /poultry)	19 demos on maize, cowpea, groundnuts, soya beans established
Numbers of farmers reached out with food processing and nutrition education (WIAD)	746 farmers 193 males 553 females	632 farmers 143 males 489 females	1,820 farmers (male=463, female=1,357)
Number of field days conducted on demonstrations	150 field days (1048 participated) 537 males 511 females	100 field days 789 farmers 409 males 380 females	16 fields days 480 participants (male=160, female=320)
Conduct farmers registration in communities	0	0	5,832 farmers 5,006 males 826 females
Support to farmers for dry season vegetables production (FAO)	10 water pumps and accessories supplied to 7 farmers groups (FAO) (Seeds, fertilizers and chemicals supplied)	23 water pumps supplied to 20 farmer groups (FAO) (Seeds, fertilizers and chemicals supplied )	2 water pumps supplied to one women group. Kpaliwurgu (FAO)
Rehabilitation and construction of small dams and dugouts /boreholes	0	Four dams /dugouts rehabilitated at Manwe Loggu, Kundugu and Goripie GTZ /GIDA	One dugout constructed at Tisa (LPD) One borehole drilled at Baayiri (LPD)
Establishment of block farms (Gain + Seed)	39.2ha sorghum-kapaala cultivated by 7 groups (recovery 27.61%)	177.6ha of maize, Recovery 797.5 bags (52.66%) Rice cultivated by 5 farmers.	434.4ha cultivated 1,232 bags recovery out of 2,975bags (41.41%)
Supply of fertilizer coupons to farmer subsidy programme	15-15-15 3596 bags 23-00-05 1750 bags Sulphate of ammonia 3015 bags	15-15-15 4900 bags 23-00-05 2350 bags Sulphate of ammonia 4963 bags Urea-988 bags	Not available Farmers made direct purchase from distributers
Supply of inputs for expanded crops production under European Commission food security projects with plan Ghana, ADRA, concern universal	–	–	Plan Ghana supported with 20,000 bags of 23-10-05 and 10,000 bags of urea for maize and soya beans production (20,000 acres) (8,000 ha) ADRA supported with 2,508 bags of NPK and 1,254 bags of sulphate of ammonia for cultivating 2254 acres of maize (901.6 ha) Concern universal supported with 400 bags of NPK and 260 bags of S /A for cultivation of 200 acres of maize (80ha). Maize and soya beans production increased in the district in 2010
Establishment of improved cassava planting materials under (RTIMP)	3.1 acres (1.24 ha) secondary multiplication plots planted by 3 farmers.	Nil	5.0 acres (2ha.) secondary multiplication farms planted by 5 farmers
	Establishment of tertiary farms	Tertiary fields planted by 374 farmers.	65.25 acres (20.1ha) tertiary fields planted by 261 farmers.
Support to women groups with agro processing machines (Africa 2 NW /UNDP)	–	Three machines supplied to three groups (Loggu, Bulenga, Manwe)	–
Support to farmers for bullock ploughing (plan Ghana)	30 bulls supplied to 3 women groups in Chaggu, Tineabe , Holomuni.	10 bulls supplied to one women group at Sombisi	–
Number of livestock vaccinated against major diseases.	15,225 animals vaccinated. GH 1,059.50 generated	9,426 animals vaccinated. GH 3,026.91 generated	13,801 animals vaccinated. GH 4,175.50 generated
Number of fodder banks established for small ruminants feeding	6 acres fodder banks of cajanus	6 acres fodder banks of cajanus	8 acres fodder banks of cajanus.
Number of farmers awarded at district national farmers days celebrations.	20 award winners honored	27 winners honored	25 winners honored
Number of farmers educated on the effects of HIV /AID’S, malaria and guinea worm preventions on control management	2,640 farmers 1,145 males 1,495 females	4693 farmers (2718 males) (1975 females)	4197 farmers (1880 males) (2317 females)

LOCATION OF SOME OTHER OFFICE BRANCHES;

The district capital is Funsi with four zonal centers namely; Funsi, Bulenga, Kulkpong, and Baayiri. There are seventeen operational areas namely; Funsi, Buffimah, Kundugu, Baayiri, Gudaayiri, Kpalinye, Jankore, Bulenga, Katua, Ducie, Manwe, Kulkpong, Loggu, Tanina, Goh, Yaala and Chasia.

PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

LocationandSize:

The Sissala East District is located in the North- Eastern part of the Upper West region of Ghana. It falls between Longitudes. 1.30⁰ W and Latitude. 10.00⁰ N and 11.00⁰ N. The district has a total land size of 4,744 sq km – representing 26% of the total landmass of the region. It shares boundary on the North with Burikina Faso, on the East with Kassena Nankana and Builsa Districts, to the South East with West Mamprusi District, South West with Wa East and Nadowli Districts and to the West by Sissala West District. See Map Below

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The district, due to its position, has an advantage for trade and other cross border activities. This locational advantage is a potential for the development of the local economy. This notwithstanding, the district by its location, also faces the threat of illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries. Notably is the insecurity posed by the insurgence of Fulani herdsmen into the district which has become a yearly ritual. On the whole however, the Sissala East district, by its location, is well positioned for enhanced socio-economic, cultural and political interaction with the neighbouring districts as well as Burkina Faso.

Relief and Drainage

The topography of the Sissala East district could be described as gently undulating. It is generally characterised by gentle latitudes of between 330 and 365m in the northern part descending to 220m and 290m in the Valley of the Sissili River. The district is mainly drained by the Sissili River and its tributaries flowing in the south-eastern direction to join the White Volta. This is coupled with several tributaries and other unnamed streams. Though they have potential for supporting agricultural activities in the dry season, they equally serve as constraints in roads constructions and therefore access to communities during rainy season. A significant characteristic feature of most of these rivers and streams is their perennial nature of their flows. The flow of the Sissili River itself reduces to intermittent pools in the dry season. Many of these streams could be developed to support dry season farming. The constant drying of the rivers necessitate the drilling of boreholes to supplement the seasonal shortage of water in the district which in one way might have accounted for the out migration of the population during the dry season. The rich valleys of the Sissili River maintain a vegetative cover that provides an abode for wildlife and further protect the land from erosion.

GeologyandSoils

With a gently undulating topography, the district is bound with fresh granitic. The granitic and bramine rocks weather fast as a result of low rainfall, high evaporation and sparse vegetative cover to form soils of lesser depths rich in minerals for potential farming. The bramine and granitic geological formations in the district are characterised by meta-sediments and meta-volcanic rock formation. The bromine formation has a 65% of yielding underground water, while the granite has 55% chances of yielding water. The geology of the district thus provides potential for underground water development.

There are varieties of soils in the district which support plant growth to various degrees. The type of soils in the district includes Savannah Ochrosols, Tropical brown earths and Terrace or Alluvial soils. These soils are better suited for the cultivation of cereals and root tuber crops including millet, maize, sorghum, yam and cash crop like cotton. They respond well to the application of organic manure and commercial fertilizers to give high yield. With adequate rains and good farming practices, these soils have the potentials of improving agriculture production.

Map of Sissala East District

Source: Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Services/IMCC

Vegetation and Climate

Sissala East District falls within the Guinea Savannah vegetation belt. The vegetation consists of grasses with scattered fire resistant trees such as the Sheanut, the Baobab and Dawadawa trees. Acacia is also a common tree of this vegetation belt. The heterogeneous collections of these trees meet domestic requirements for firewood and charcoal, construction of houses, cattle kraals and fencing of gardens. The shorter shrubs and grasses provide fodder for livestock. This has resulted in high influx of Fulani into the district. Their activities have to be appropriately controlled and managed if the environment is to be sustained and food security assured. The sheanut tree is one of the great economic assert of the District and head portage has been the most common means of transporting the fruits from the farm to the house. This industry can be developed to serve as major source of livelihood in the district. The forest reserves cover a total area of about 267sqkm and encourage a rich stock of mammalian wildlife.

The climate of the Sissala East District is tropical continental as experienced in the northern regions of Ghana. Throughout the year, temperatures are high with a minimum of 23ºC at night and a maximum of 42ºC during the day and this favours plant growth.

The mean monthly temperature ranges between 21ºC and 32ºC. The highest monthly maximum temperature rises up to 40ºC before the rainy season in May with lowest minimum temperature falling to about 12ºC in December when the Harmattan winds from the Sahara dries up the vegetation.

The district experiences a single rainy season (May to September/October) conventional rainfall. In 2009, the first quarter of the year recorded 6.9mm of rainfall. However, for the 2^nd quarter, the erratic nature resulted in 447.2mm of rainfall which was an improvement over the previous year leading to early farming of crops particularly maize. At the beginning of the 3^rd quarter another drought period almost brought threaten food production. As the season advanced, rains set in many parts of the district and the quarter registered 937.4 mm of rain. The rains intensified and resulted in floods which affected food crops yields (by 40%) especially maize and groundnuts. Some field were totally submerged under water and others washed away. This affected the entire district but the eastern block was worse affected.

As a result of the single maximum rainfall prevailing in the district all year round, crop production is mostly done during the rainy season (May to September/October). However, since farming is the major occupation of the people, it means that their major sources of livelihood and income are limited during the dry season apparently resulting in the migration of the youth to the south in search of greener pastures. There is thus, the need to have adequate irrigation facilities to promote and enhance agricultural activities in the dry season. In addition, it is imperative to identify and provide alternative source of livelihood to the people to complement their occupation and improve their income generating capacity. The total number of rain ranging between 70 to 80 days in 1999 as compared to 51 days of rain in 2009. The mean annual rainfall in 1999 was 121mm as recorded as compared to 104 in 2009. There is an indication that the number of days of rain as well as the mean annual rainfall are decreasing in the district. This has implications for food security in the district.

NaturalEnvironment

Sissala east district is mainly covered by guinea savannah vegetation with few savannah supported trees such as the Sheanut, Baobab and Dawadawa trees. However, human activities such as farming and bush fires, shifting cultivation, felling of trees for firewood and charcoal production and overgrazing by animals contribute greatly to deforestation and soil erosion in this natural environment. Government institutions and NGOs have instituted measures such as agro-forestry, tree planting and extensive education against bush fires to curtail these problems. However, environmental degrading activities still persist in the district and possess a threat to food security in the district.

The new National Wildfire Policy advocates for the management of wildfires in lieu of absolute prevention and likewise the District Assembly needs to have in place an appropriate wildfire management programme to contain the impact of wildfires on the natural environment. There is the protection of wildlife mammals and other wildlife species through forest conservation and community management of the reserve. The management of forest and forestry resources is handled at the district level, by forestry services division, NADMO, the Ghana National Fire Service, NGOs and Community- Based volunteers. These institutions are however confronted with challenges that need to be addressed.

DemographicCharacteristics

PopulationSizeandGrowthRate

As at 2006 the district population was estimated at 51,182 with an annual growth rate of 1.7%. With this growth rate, the district population is currently estimated at 54,752. The settlement pattern is highly dispersed and rural by nature. This affects the siting of socio-economic facilities such as boreholes, electricity extension among others. The male/female ratio of the population is 96 males to 100 females. At the moment it is only Tumu, the district capital, controls 22.1% of the district population and it is the only settlement that qualifies as a town by virtue of its population. There are however other settlements that are growing in size. Table 1 presents the population of the first top ten settlements in the district.

Table 1: Population sizes of first ten settlements-between 2000 and 2010 compared

	2000			2010
Settlement	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
Tumu	4270	4588	8858	5817	6301	12118
Sakai	1005	921	1926	1822	1975	3797
Wellembelle	1804	1593	3397	1662	1801	3463
Nmanduanu	659	550	1209	750	814	1564
Nabulo	1070	915	1985	724	784	1508
Nabugubelle	540	475	1015	670	726	1396
Bugubelle	974	885	1859	657	711	1368
Kulfuo	493	407	900	536	581	1117
Sakalo	351	276	627	388	421	809
Bujan	327	295	612	375	407	782
Total	11493	10905	22388	13418	14520	27923

Figure : Population Changes, 2000-2010

HouseholdCharacteristics

The Sissala East District has a projected total households of 8,570 (DSDA II 2006) living in about 5,852 houses. The household size in the district is about 8.4 with 46.5% of them very large, with 9 or more people per household. The mean household size in rural areas is larger than Tumu. The age structure is typical of a young population, and basically, more than 85 % of the people living in the rural settlements.

The amenities and assets available to the households is an indicator of its socio-economic status. In the Sissala East District, about 11% of the households have access to electricity. The main source of drinking water is protected wells, boreholes, rivers and streams with the only pipe system in Tumu. Majority of these households share toilet facilities with one or more households.

The only urban settlement in the district is Tumu which has a current population of 10878 (2006). The Tumu Township lack proper physical planning and non compliance with building regulation. Mud and thatch are the major building materials used; especially in the rural communities with few buildings built with cement blocks and aluminium roofs which are mostly predominant in the Tumu Township.

The main fuel for cooking in most of the household is firewood (80%) and charcoal (19%) with the remaining 1% using LPG. More than 70% of the households own basic items such as radios. The common means of transport among household are motorcycles and bicycles.

Most of the individuals and households living in this district have farming as their main occupation. The over dependence on rainfall for agriculture render most families unemployed during the long dry spell which directly hamper growth in family income. The level of formal education among adult is very low where about 92% of the total population have not had any formal education which creates difficulties in change of attitudes. Judging from these challenges, household income and expenditure is difficult to estimate for the district because it is not possible for many families to keep records. However, it could be generalised that household expenditure is on basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing. The subsistence nature of the economic activities means that many households merely make ends meet. A large percentage (84%) of the population live below the poverty line, earning far less than ¢ 900,000 per month.

Cultural Characteristics

The district is made up of different cultures. This dynamic culture has been handed over to the present generation by their forefathers through experience and reflection in an attempt to fashion and harmonise co-existence with the environment. Some of the positive cultural practices of the citizenry are the celebration of the “Paara Gbiele” festival which is celebrated once every year. The Sissalas, like any other tribe in Ghana have their own social gathering which include; outdooring, weddings, burials, dressing and the like. The Kasena in the eastern corridor, the Dagaabas dotted in the district also have their unique cultures which can be harmonise to improve the district development.

Tourism

A number of tourism potentials have been identified in the district. These include Kasena slave market at Kasena, Wotuomo cave between Dangi and Lilixia, Hunter’s footprints at Dolibizon, Mysterious rocks at Pieng, Mysterious river at Nmanduanu, Bone setters at Wuru, Kwapun and Banu, Historical site at Santijan and the White man’s grave at Tumu. These tourist sites can be developed further and they can be a major source of revenue for local economic development.

Despite the diverse cultural practices, the people of the district have a strong enthusiasm for communal labour. With the assistance of the Assemblymen and Women, CBOs, Unit Committee members, self-help development projects were implemented. However, some of the cultural practices in the district have adverse effects on the people and development in general. Female genital mutilation (FGM) was paramount among the indigenous people but has reduced drastically with educational campaign. Except Wellembelle and some few communities where there are some minor conflicts, there is generally peaceful co-existence among the people

Ethnicity and Religion: There has no been a major change in the ethnic and religious composition of the district. There are five main ethnic groups comprising the Sissala’s (88%), Kasenas (5%), Dagabas (3%), Moshies (2%) and 2% comprising of other ethnic groups. Despite these ethinic compositions in the district, the people co-exist peacefully. On the other hand, the religious composition in the district includes Moslems-81%, Catholics-10%, Traditionalist-5%, and other accounting for about 4%. This variance religious composition in the district notwithstanding, cordial relations exist among these religious groups. The cordiality prevailing amongst these religious groups serves as a catalyst for developmental programmes and projects in the district. Each religious celebration is done with the participation of other religious groups.

Spatial Organisation

Tumu the district capital is located at the extreme northern part of the district. Certainly, it is the largest populated settlement in the district, and hence most economic activities are located there to enjoy maximum patronage. Tumu is therefore the centre for socio-economic and cultural activities in the district.

Most of the ten highly populated communities are therefore located close to the district capital. Tumu has been the only recognized town with regard to its population and therefore has become the seat of local government as well as the seat of the traditional authority. The long existence of Tumu as the district capital of the then Sissala District and presently the Sissala East District has made it a common area of facility concentration.

Tumu as a transit for traders bound for Burkina Faso has made it a vibrant commercial town. In this regard, Tumu, the district capital attracts immigration of people from the various communities and Burkina Faso.

Therefore out of the 65 communities in the district, development is skewed towards the district capital and its surrounding communities.

Despite inadequate provision of basic facilities and services in the district, the few available facilities are not evenly distributed. For instance, out of the 65 communities, only 7 of these are connected to the national grid. Amongst these communities, about 95% of the population enjoying the services of electricity from the national grid live in Tumu.

The district hospital, which is the only standard hospital in the district, is located in Tumu. Telephone services are more concentrated in Tumu Township and its surrounding communities. The services of Areeba, Tigo and One Touch cellular networks are currently in operation in the district. These cellular communication networks are enhancing socio-economic activities in the district.

The district also enjoys services of only one Post Office, one police station, and a magistrate court, all situated in Tumu. There is however one police post at Wellembelle, the next populated town after Tumu. Banking services are carried out by the Ghana Commercial Bank, Agricultural Development Bank and the Sissala Rural Bank. These are all located in Tumu and do not adequately serve the banking needs of the people in the district.

EconomyoftheDistrict

StructureoftheLocalEconomy

The larger agricultural sector seventy-six percent (76%), service and commerce fifteen percent (12%), and the industrial sector nine (12%). The Sissala East District is basically rural with more than eighty percent 80% of the people living in rural settlements and are engaged in farming.

DetailedInformationonMajorCropsProduced

The district economy is mainly agrarian. This makes agricultural related activities the predominant activity employing a greater proportion of the population. The people practice subsistence farming with only a few engaged in commercial cotton farming. The main crops are cereals such as millet, maize, sorghum, and rice. The rest are groundnut, cowpea, yam and cotton. Please find below the production trends:

Table2: Hectares of the Major Crops of Upper West Region in 2010(Sissala East District highlighted)

Maize	Rice	Millet	Sorghum	Yam	G’nuts	Cowpea	Soyabean
9,180	200	4,560	1,110	2,550	10,510	8,640	150
Yields of Major crops in Metric Tonnes per Ha in 2010 (Sissala East District Highlighted)
Maize	Rice	Millet	Sorghum	Yam	G’nuts	Cowpea	Soyabean
2.00	2.08	1.90	1.60	13.00	1.50	1.00	1.93
Production of Major crops in Metric Tonnes in 2010 (Sissala East District highlighted)
Maize	Rice	Millet	Sorghum	Yam	G’nuts	Cowpea	Soyabean
18,360	416	8,664	1,776	33,150	15,765	8,640	290

3.1.2 Detailed information on Livestock Production

Animal rearing places a secondary role to crop farming in the district. Types of animals reared include; cattle, sheep, goat, swine and poultry

Detailed Information on Fish Production

In the district there is no planned fish farming programme, except capture fisheries in open water bodies like dams and dugouts, and rivers and streams that run across the district. In all there are ten dams in the district that contain water up to sometime in the dry season. Two rivers also drain the district to the east and north-west- the Sissili and Wahabu Rivers. These are the main sources of capture fisheries. The wrier could not obtain any figures to portray the amount of caches per time period. These rivers also have tributaries, and these are all sources of the capture fisheries, but the activities of the fishers are difficult to capture for the estimates.

Summary of Field Demonstrations

In the three years of the demonstrations (2007 to 2008) demonstrations to farmers were about the importance of agronomic practices to optimise yields, and livestock feeding and housing to increase productivity of the stock. The six field staff (AEAs) undertook five demonstrations each, two on a cash crop (groundnuts) and three each on a staple food crop (grain maize). This makes a total of 30 demonstrations. Three of the AEAs also demonstrated improved livestock housing and feeding using cajanus cajan biomass that the farmers were encouraged to plant themselves for the purpose.

For the maize and groundnut crop, MOFA recovered one-third of the produce from each contact farmers who did the demonstrations each year. A total of at leats 40 maxi-bags maize and 60 maxi-bags groundnut were recovered from the farmers and these were ploughed back into buying the inputs for the succeeding demonstrations each year. The farmers got at least seven to fourteen maxi-bags maize and twelve to sixteen maxi-bags groundnuts from the demonstrations. This was an improvement of 50% to 100% yields over that of the farmers’ practices.

When the mini-demonstrations were stopped and the concept of block farming came, the demonstrations continued in them. Over 2,500 farmers have been taken on field trips in 2009 and 2010 to fields that are exemplary for the farmers to learn grain maize agronomy and to improve their yields back home.

The impact of the demonstrations was that over five thousand other farmers visited and learned improved crop agronomy or livestock housing and feeding from the contact farmers. Out of this number, at least three thousand farmers put to use what they learned.

Fertiliser Subsidy

As is expected, the district started the Ghana Government fertiliser subsidy programme with the rest of the country in 2008. In the first and second years of this programme coupons were used by farmers to acquire fertiliser from retailers. Because of its problems, the coupon system was replaced by a waybill system in 2010. In 2008, NPK, UREA and Sulphate of Ammonia were received from the regional MOFA office and distributed to farmers in the district. A total of about 8,250 bags fertiliser was purchased by the farmers using the coupons that year.

In 2009, another NPK, UREA and Sulphate of Ammonia were received again from regional MOFA offices in Wa and distributed to farmers. Farmers bought about 17,050 bags of fertiliser. Again the figures are probably lower than what is the true situation on the ground, as explained above.

For 2010 a total of 70,117 bags NPK,Sulphate of Ammonia, and UEA were purchased by farmers for use.

Special Projects

a. Northern Rural Growth Project (NRGP)

Under this project the district got nine groups of 112 farmers (22 male and 90 male farmers) to produce grain maize last year for the first time. In the middle of the production (at weeding and fertiliser application), fertilisers were not available for the farmers to apply. It was expected to recover 3,256 max-bags maize. From results of the harvest, farmers have made it and more than half so far have paid up the loans contracted (about 66% recovery). Only two groups are yet to pay up. The project has threatened police action and the groups in the project have vowed to settle their indebtedness before the end of April.

b. Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS)

This is an initiative of scientists from SARI and CSIR, to promote improved storage of grai legumes (cowpea) for better incomes among farmers in Ghana and other selected African countries. It entails the use of a double -lined special polythene sheets to store the cowpea to last four months or more. Over twenty communities have been selected and demonstrations have gone on for some time now in these communities on how to use the polythene materials and the results thereof. So far farmers have realised the superiority of this technology over their own practices, and are demanding for the poly-sheets for their use.

c. International Centre for Enterprise and Sustainable Development ( ICED)

For income to farmers and possible integration into domestic and international markets, the ICED has initiated this project. The project is a centre of excellence in animal production. The project promotes excellence in the production of guinea fowl and swine among farmers in the Northern part of Ghana through training for farmers and interested development agencies. So far a total of about 15, 500 guinea -keets have been procured in three batches over three years, from 2007 to 20010. The project will take delivery of another 2520 keets by 22 April for brooding and distribution to farmers. The fowl s are raised for about two – tow and a half months and sold out to interested farmers to cross their local stock and improved them. Other farmers who may want to hatch the eggs are also supplied the eggs from egg-laying stock remaining with the centre. So far about 3041 guinea fowls have been sold out to farmers from all districts in the region and from Northern, Upper- East and Bolgatanga Districts for crossing the local stock. Presently there are a 515 male and female mature guinea fowls left after the sale of the last batch, for obtaining hatchable eggs for farmers to purchase and hatch.

Exotic pigs are also kept for breeding and supply of the off-springs to interested farmers to rear and sell for better income. So far 24 pigs have been reared and sold out to farmers for rearing in the district. Another 10 animals were culled and sold out to the public for consumption as meat. In stock presently are 14 Ashani-Black breed, and 16 large-white pigs.

d. Livestock Development Project (LDP)

Under the credit-in-king scheme, 120 farmers were given a total of 1,200 sheep and goats since 2010, when the concept started. Performance of the animals in the beginning was below expectations because the animals were mostly brought to the district already diseased. However at the moment performance is average and recovery will be average as well – that is, some of the farmers will be able to provide the ten animals in return for taking ten animals from MOFA. The first batch of the beneficiaries who received the animals is expected to start giving out the ten each as from next year, 2012.

Special Porgrammes

a. Block Farming (Youth in Agricultural Programme)

For two years now the District Agricultural Development Unit has facilitated the production of about 1,255 acres maize grain under the Youth in Agricultural Programme in 35 communities and a total of 1,560 farmers (52 females and 1,508 male farmers) across the district. Yields were 50% to 100% more than under farmers’ practices. Due to popular demand, this season(2011), the district estimates to increase the acreages to 2, 000 for maize grain, and 500 soybean. At the moment the dirtcit is registering interested farmers.

Please find quantity of the inputs that were issued to farmers from regional level for production in 2010 under Block Farming.

Table 6: 2010 BLOCK FARMING PROGRAMME ; INPUTS BALANCE SHEET

Input received	Quantity (Kg)(bags)	source	Quantity issued (kg)	Quantity in stock (kg)	remarks
Maize seed(Obatanpa)	8,100	RADU	7,875	225
NPK(16-16-16)	860 bags 600 bags	Chemico Nadowli(MOFA)	1,460	—	All issued to farmers under Block Farming
SULPHATE OF AMMONIA (BAGS)	600 bags 150 bags	Chemico Nadowli(MOFA)	750	—	All issued out to farmers under Block Farming
Jute sacks	3,893 bags	RADU, UWR	2,334		Actually received 3893, and 107 bags damaged level

Source: Sissala East District Agric. Dev. Unit, Tumu(Block Framing, 2010), 2010

3.1.8 Information on new initiatives

a. Rice Sector Support Project (RSSP)

This is a bilateral Co-operation project between Ghana and France to boost rice value-chain development in Northern Ghana. In the district, three communities (Chinchang, Wallembelle and Bujan ), total of more than 500 acres . The communities have already been animated to do the initial land clearing, and then machinery will be brought in to plough the fields for rice production this year in these communities.

b. The Sissala East Greening and Food Security Project (SEGFSP)

This is a pilot project to protect the environment of the district before it worsens to the point of that of some of the other districts in the region.

As part of its mandate, all field staff of MOFA undertakes training and sensitization of communities about land and environmental degradation. The district agricultural development unit is a lead implementer of the Sissala East Greening and Food Security Project. Though the project covers the entire district, an initial 11 communities are earmarked for support to plant trees or rear small ruminants this year 2011. These are tarsaw, Pina, Kong, Taffiasi and Du-east who will benefit from tree planting. Some of these communities, together with others like Chinchang, Tumu and Banu are earmarked for rearing the animals. Awareness creation has already gone on in the entire district about the climate change and its consequences, the project’s objectives, project approach, deliverables and the roles of communities in the project.

EPA also facilitates a project on environment in the district, and MOFA is a key implementer. Four Communities have been chosen and animation is ongoing in these communities towards tree planting, compost production and livestock rearing under an alternative livelihood initiative in the project.

c. AGRA Soil Health Project

This is another initiative of the scientific world to respond to a donor’s assistance to improve the productivity of farmers’ soils for better productivity and production. It commences in the district this year with a number of farmers as contact points to demonstrate the use of various technologies.

d. Mucuna trials

This is another science-based trials in the district that will be undertaken this farming season using a number of contact farmers to try out the performance of the cover crop called Mucuna as a soil protector, weeds smoother and a nutrient enrichment mechanism.

Location of other Office Branches

The district has thirteen Operational Areas dotted all round, for equity in services delivery, and for convenience of extension work. Each Operational Area is supposed to be manned by an Agricultural Extension Agent (AEA). For now the district has only seven AEAs and these are located at strategic points to even oversee areas without the AEAs(see organogramme for details of distribution of the AEAs). For the accommodation of staff in these operational Areas, under NAEP seven junior staff quarters that also serve as offices of AEAs were built in Nabulo, Tarsaw, Tumu, Mwanuonu, Sakai, Wallembelle, Kunchogo, for the AEAs.

There are dilapidated and abandoned offices of the former Animal Husbandry at Sakai. In Tumu the district capital, a Crops Services Directorate agricultural station that was meant for undertaking crop trials exists. These offices now serve as stores for the grain maize produce that we recover as loans under the block farming programme of the ministry. The veterinary Services has a clinic for treating animals in the district.

The Lambussie-Karni District Assembly being the youngest in the Region and almost certainly the smallest with the recognition that the most secured democracy is the one that assures the basic necessities of life for its people by ensuring food security a fundamental precedence, exists primarily to improve upon the living standards of the people through the effective and efficient mobilization and utilization of resources with a direct participation of the people (beneficiaries) in a friendly environment and sustainable basis.

This however is being achieved through the collaborative efforts of other stake holders including the Ministry of Food And Agriculture among others through the,

1. Formulating, executing, and monitoring of plans and policies.

2. Providing basic socio-economic infrastructure

3. Maintaining law and order

4. Capacity building

5. Effective revenue mobilization

6. Effective co-ordination of decentralized departments, sub-district structures and NGOs.

7. Promoting private sector development

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRICT

1. 1. 1. PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

1.1.1 Location and Size

The Lambussie-Karni District was carved out from the former Jirapa-Lambussie District Assembly in the Upper West Region of Ghana on the 29^th of February, 2008 as part of Ghana’s Decentralization programme initiated in 1988.

The Lambussie –Karni District is consequently located in the North Western corner of the Upper West Region of Ghana. It lies in the region of between Latitudes 10.25⁰ and 11.00⁰ North and Longitudes 20.25⁰ and 20.40⁰ West. It is the youngest and smallest District in the Region and covers a total land area of 1,356.6 sq km. The District is very young, and contributes about 6% of the Region’s land area which is 18,476 sq km. It extends from Hamile in the North to Karni in the South.

The district is bounded to the South by the Jirapa District, to the North by Ghana’s boundary with Burkina Faso, to the West by the Lawra District and to the East by the Sissala West District. The District’s capital, Lambussie is about 92 km away from Wa, the Regional capital.

1.2 Topography and Drainage

The landscape of the District in the main is flat and low-lying with an average height of about 300 meters above sea level. The topography is predominantly undulating, with slopes less than 1%. Even though the slopes are gentle, about 80% of the district is subject to moderate to severe sheet and gully erosion. There are a few plateau surfaces ranging between 300-350 meters found in communities like Bawon, Lambussie and Billaw.

The District is not well drained as there are no major rivers except the discontinuous tributaries of the Black Volta. The only noted major stream is the ‘Bugbele’ located at Piina. In the dry season, this steam dries up leaving the District with no surface water for domestic and agricultural purposes. There are however valleys which are found in the District that are suitable for the development of small-scale irrigation dams and dugouts for dry season gardening, fishing and watering of animals especially small ruminants and other livestock.

1.3 Geology and Soils

There is an extensive Birimian soil formation in the District with a concentration of granite rocks around, Lambussie, Bawon and Billaw areas. The soils are mostly ground water laterites (and Sudan ochrosols (LWM, 1998). An unconfirmed geological survey carried out by a mining company in 1998 indicates that the rocks around these areas contain gold and other mineral deposits. The granite rocks have high water retention capacity and therefore can store considerable quantity of ground water which has the greater potential for the sinking of boreholes and hand-dug wells.

Gravel and clay deposit also abound in the District providing a promising potential for the construction, of brick tile, paint and pottery industries.

1.3.1 SOILS

The soil of the District for the most part is sandy loam with underlying hard iron pans. There is however, narrow strips of alluvial soils along the dry valleys of the tributaries of the Black Volta River suitable for rice farming. The sandy loam is susceptible to severe sheet and gully erosion caused by surface run-off during the peak of the wet season. The wide spread erosion in effect adversely affects not only the fertility of the soil but also causes silting of the few small-scale dams and dug outs in the District.

In totality, the sandy loam is fertile and enhances the cultivation of cereal and leguminous crops such as maize, millet, guinea corn, groundnuts, cowpea, and soya beans among others.

Table: Fertility Status of Soils in two Northern Regions

Region	Soil pH	% Organic matter	%Total Nitrogen	Available Phosphorus (mg/kg soil)	Available Calcium (mg/kg soil)
Upper West	6.0-6.8	0.5-1.3	0.01-0.07	2.0-7.4	52-151.5
Northern	4.5-6.7	0.6-2.0	0.02-0.05	2.5-10.0	45-90

Source: Soil Research Institute, CSIR-Kumasi

1.4 Climate

The District falls in the Guinea Savanna climatic zone and experiences two major seasons with a single maxima –﴾ short rainy season and a long dry spell). The rainy season starts from June to October each year and gives way to the dry season from November to May. The rainfall distribution in the District varies from year to year sometimes with intermittent droughts and floods mostly peaking in August. Mostly, the rainfall ranges between 900 – 1,000mm per annum. The occurrence of drought or floods affects crop growth thereby culminating in reduced crop yields each year, as optional nutrients intake by the crops is impaired. Day and night temperatures range from 18^0\c – 40⁰c. During the dry harmattans in October, the humidity is so low that the rate of evapo-transpiration is high, favored by the dry winds. During this period of extreme warm weather, there are high mortalities caused by outbreak of various diseases and ailments, among which are Cerebrum-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) and other diseases frequent in the District.

Distribution by Agro-ecological zones

Table: Rainfall Distribution

Agro-ecological Zone	Mean annual Rain (mm)	Growing Period (Days) Major season Minor season
Guinea Savanna	1,000	150 – 160	* *

Source: Meteorological Services Department, Accra.

*Rainfall distribution is unimodal; (Guinea Savanna and Sudan Savanna), the unimodal distribution gives a single growing season.

REGIONAL RAINFALL DATA in mm (2001 – 2009)

REGION	2001		2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007		2008		2009		9-YEAR AV.		30-YEAR AV.		% Change 2009/ 30-Year Average			% Change 2009/ 2008
NORTHERN	880		1,100	1,420	1,178	1,123	1,014	999		1,223		1,292		1,137		1,155		11.9			5.6
UPPER EAST	936		898	1,117	613	791	925	1,320		902		884		932		912		(3.1)			(2.0)
UPPER WEST	968		1,059	1,189	607	897	982	1,089		1,171		1,086		1,005		1,022		6.3			(7.3)
		Source: Ghana Meteorological Agency

1.5 Vegetation

The vegetation of the Lambussie-Karni District is the Guinea Savanna Wood land with light under growth and scattered trees with grassland sparsely distributed with short fire resistant economic trees like Shea, Dawadawa Baobab and Neem species.

The District has three forest reserves with a total coverage of about sixty hectares, located at Lambussie, Nabaala and Samoa. Although the Department of Forest Services protects these reserves, there are reported cases of encroachment by the people for charcoal production. Under the Savanna Resources Management Project, a collaborative approach between the community and the project management, a system has been worked out to ensure the responsible use of the forest resources, to minimize the wanton encroachment of these reserves

1.6 Environmental Situation

Human activities such as bush burning, tree felling for fuel wood, unorthodox agricultural practices such as, sand and gravel wining contribute immensely to the destruction of the vegetation. The Savanna vegetation, characteristic of short trees and grasses constitute the significant element of the natural environment in the District. Over reliance on fuel-wood for cooking, charcoal production, hunting, pito brewing, bush burning, constitute the major human activities which degrade the natural environment thereby making it incapable of supporting plant and animal live.

Additionally, the effect of human activities on the environment such as housing, and road construction is also enormous. There is therefore the need to institute proper land management and administration systems to ensure that the above human activities which degrade the environment are minimized if not completely eliminated. These calls for the timely intervention of the Town and Country Planning Department, Environmental Protection Agency, the Land Commission Department and other co-operate bodies.

1.7 Water Situation

Lambussie and Hamile both have Small Town pipe water systems which are in operation and their source of power is the National Grid.

The District has a major stream called ‘Bugbele’ at Piina. In the dry season, this steam dries up leaving the District with no surface water for domestic and agricultural purposes. There are however, valleys which are found in the District that are suitable for the development of small-scale irrigation dams and dugouts for dry season gardening, fishing and watering of animals, especially small ruminants and other livestock.

There is a dam used for irrigational purposes at Karni. In 2008 another dam at Piina which served Piina and its environs broke away and has since not seen any rehabilitation work. A few boreholes and dug-outs have been dug in various locations in the District which serve for domestic consumption

2.0 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

There is dispersed nature of settlements in the various communities, which is mainly due to land tenure system and ownership, where each settler stays some distance away from the other in order to have enough farming land space. However, in some towns like Hamile, Piina and Lambussie, there are nuclear settlements though not well planned.

2.1.0 Age and Distribution of the Population Size

The 2000 National Population and Housing Census results put the District’s population at 37,063. This is made up of 18,574 females and 16,489 males. The projected population for 2008, 2009, 2010, are: 41,963.6, 42,722.3 and 43,253.2 respectively.

2.2 Sex and Rural Distribution of the Population

The Youth between the ages of 15 to 25 forms about 50 % of the population engaged in agriculture. Women population which forms about 80% of the total population is mostly engaged in agriculture and trading, even though they do not own land The District is a rural farming community, hence the spatial distribution of the settlements indicating a dispersed type of population distribution.

2.3 Labour Force

Migration is very common in the District. The incidence of out migration to the southern part of Ghana in search of menial job opportunities is extremely high among the economically active group of the population i.e. 15-50. Whilst some return home during the wet season to better their lives and improve upon their living standards with whatever gain they might have made, others also worsen their already deplorable conditions by contracting diseases and illness such as guinea worm, mental derangement, HIV/AIDs and other STDs which adversely affect production and productivity.

3.0 AGRICULTURE

Agriculture remains the main economic activity in the District. Nearly 90% of the population is engaged in agriculture in the District which is largely subsistence in nature Even though there are commercial farmers around Lambussie, Billaw and Samoa areas, a hand full of farmers is engaged in large-scale production of cereals and leguminous crops in the District. Some few farmers are however, graduating into small-scale businesses in the transport sector.

Even though there had been an introduction of modern farming tools and methods, most of the farmers still depend heavily on traditional implements such as the hoe and cutlasses in farming. However, a good number of farmers use tractor services and animal traction for tilling the land. Mixed farming is mainly practiced all over the area and the farm unit is the family, although individual family members can have small holdings of cash crops, the proceeds of which are used to settle personal economic obligations. Average holdings is about 2.5 hectares, but often broken up into smaller parcels of land scattered over compound and distant farms

3.1 Crops

Cash crops cultivated in the District include Shea nuts, cotton, groundnut and cashew. Major staples cultivated include maize, millet, cowpea, sorghum, groundnuts, Bambara beans, rice, and yam. The continuous dependence of farmers on rain-fed agriculture adversely affects crop yields due mainly to the erratic nature of the rains. There is therefore the need for the adoption of realistic alternative methods such as irrigation to augment crop production during the dry season. This in the long run will create employment opportunities for the youth, especially the girl child, thereby preventing them from embarking upon out migration for non existence menial jobs1

3.1.2 Principal Agricultural Produce

Industrial Crops: Shea nut, and Cashew nut.

Starchy and Cereal Staples: Cocoyam, Yam, Maize, Rice, Millet, Sorghum. Frafra potatoes

Fruits and Vegetables: Cashew, Pawpaw, Mangoes, Tomato, Pepper, Okro, Egg Plant, Onion, Asian Vegetables, Akeapple Dawadawa

4.0 FARMING STSTEMS

The main system of farming is traditional. The commonest farming systems in the District include mixed farming, land rotation as well as bush fallowing. Due to population pressure on the scarce land, the system of farming which used to be communal in nature has gradually been giving way to individual land tenure system with its associated short-comings i.e. insufficient soil fertility, hence low outputs.

Soil factors are also important. Most food crop farms are intercropped. Mono cropping is mostly associated with larger-scale commercial farms.

The hoe and cutlass are the main farming tools. There is little mechanized farming, but animal traction farming is practiced in most parts of the district. Agricultural production varies with the amount and distribution of rainfall in the district.

4.1 Achievements-Crops:

(a) Tree crops – The district is endowed with traditional tree crops which include Dawadawa (39.6 tons), Shea trees 88 tons), cashew (2.8 tons), mango (20 tons) average yields per year. Those of ebony, baobab, Kapok, Black berry akeapple are in larger quantities but their produce is not measured.

(b) Roots and Tubers

Averagely 1,800 mounds are cultivated around the southern belt of the district. These include Kpare, Piina, Taayaguri, Kulkanri and Karni areas. Average yields recoded per acre is about 9 tons

However, other areas especially Lambussie, Suke, and Chum areas equally produces yam but in lesser quantities.

Other root crops like sweet potatoes and frafra potatoes are mainly produced in smaller quantities for family consumption.

Types of cereals produced and recorded yields for the two districts are stated below from 1997-2009

Table: Percentage of distribution of size of holdings under agricultural activity

AGRICUTURAL ACTIVITIES	SIZE OF HOLDINGS	% DISTRIBUTION
MAIZE	5,200 Ha.	40
MILLET	520 Ha.	10
SORGHUM	520 Ha.	10
GROUNDNUTS	1,040 Ha.	20
COWPEA	540 Ha.	12
RICE	500 Ha.	8
SOYA	450 Ha	5

Table: Area Planted to Selected Food Crops (‘000 ha.) (Jirapa-Lambussie district)

Crop	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Maize Rice Sorghum Millet Yam Groundnut Cowpea	2,718 0.680 15,133 15,347 1,832 11,339 12,983	3,184 0.772 9,948 9,212 1,022 13,555 8,270	2,612 0.763 10,935 10,490 0.916 21,030 12,305	2,664 0.786 11,263 10,805 0.925 18,927 12,920	2,717 0.825 11,826 11,453 0.917 20,252 14,212	3,300 0.900 14,700 12,800 0.960 21,700 14,600

Table: Mean Annual Growth Rates for Area Planted to Selected Food Crops (Jirapa-Lambussie)

Crop	Average Area (‘000 ha.) 1993-1995 1996-1998		Growth Rate%	Av. Area (‘000 ha.) 1998-2000 2001-2003		Growth Rate %
Roots &Tubers Cereals Legumes	0.3 28.27 8.067	1.0157 34.75 58.83	300 122 444	1.367 37.341 83.27	1.722 41.241 21.351	125 110 64

Frequency of cropping (especially for annual crops): the district has only one major season; hence, there is only one cropping season.

Table: Production of Selected Food Crops (‘000 Mt) (Jirapa-Lambussie)

Crop	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Maize Rice Sorghum Millet Yam Groundnuts Cowpea	3.262 1.217 12.106 12.278 20.647 13.608 8.958	4.458 1.081 7.958 7.370 12.264 16.266 5.789	3.187 0.877 8.967 8.182 11.441 25.026 10.951	3.197 0.754 11.623 10.805 10.977 18.019 16.150	3.397 0.792 13.245 9.964 11.307 22.953 17.907	5.450 1.170 13.230 11.520 12.480 32.550 18.390

Table: Average Yield of Selected Food Crop under Rain fed Conditions-2009 (Jirapa-Lambussie)

Crop	Yield (Mt/Ha)	Achievable Yield (Mt/Ha)*
Maize Rice Millet Yam Groundnut Cowpea Sorghum Soya beans	1.7 1.3 0.8 2 1.2 0.6 0.8 0.6	2 2 1.4 3.5 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.0

4.2 Fisheries

This is done mostly as an off time business in the dams and streams during the lean season along the Bugbelle stream Fish farming is not therefore practiced in the district

4.3 Livestock

Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry are mainly produced as an alternative source of livelihood in times of crop failure. A few farmers however engage in large-scale livestock production in Lambussie, Piina Suke and Samoa areas.

4.3.1 Fertility rate of animals

Averagely 75% of animals in the district are fertile

Litter size per type of animal

The average litter size of the various species and livestock are indicated below:

Cattle – 1

Sheep – 1

Goats 2

Pigs 6

Acreage of pasture development for farm animals is 12 hectares

Stylosanthes verano seed was used to develop one acre of pasture each in the 25 operational areas in 1998 – 1999 season. However of late due to bush burning and over grazing most of these pastures have degraded.

The mortality figures of the various livestock species in the district since 2005 are recorded as below.

Table: Mortality rate of livestock

SPECIE OF LIVESTOCK	MORTALITY
Cattle Sheep Goats Pigs	15 210 523 151

PROJECTS

5.0 Projects-

5.1 The Cashew Development Project took off in the Jirapa-Lambussie district in 2003, with lots of training activities, drawing of plans, budgets, group’s formations, and the introduction of improved seed for farmers.

Activities undertaken during these years were the formation of groups, planting of cashew, fencing ,field management, loans for intercrop production, canopy substitution and top-working.

5.2 Achievements: From 2003 to 2010, a total of acres 9, 74.5 of land were put under cultivation covering a total number of 740 farmers 520 males and 240 females made up of 45 groups. Due to bush fires these farms were refilled yearly to obtain the required number of 42 plants in an acre.

Training of participating farmers was done annually in and out of the district on cashew field management, as well as financial management. Participating AEAs were equally trained on cashew production techniques. Staffs were also supported with means to transport and fuel for field visits.

Credit granted to the beneficiary farmers was GH¢82,050.00. Cumulative repayment from 2003 to Sept. 2010 is 53,882.60 forming 65.6% recovery. A district cashew union was formed in the Jirapa district and registered with the Dept. of Co-operatives at the Regional level. The union is very active in the mopping up of cashew in the district for onwards sale to the agents.

5.3 LIVESTOCK DEVELOPEMNT PROJECT

The Livestock Development Project started in the PY 2003 and it is to end in the PY 2010. The project which was initially for six (6) year was extended for yet another two (2) years based on the recommendation of a mid-term review team. The sector’s goal is to contribute to poverty reduction, enhance food security and reduce imports of livestock and dairy products in an environmentally sustainable manner. The main objective is to increase the income of small holder livestock farmers.

5.4 Achievements A total of five hundred and ninety-six (596) sheep, one hundred and ninety (190) goats were given to individual farmers across the two districts under the credit-in-kind scheme (CIKS). A list of beneficiaries with their passport photographs and contract agreement forms are kept in the Jirapa office. Each farmer received ten (10) animals and would give back ten (10) progenies to be given to new beneficiaries after two years. However, the passing on of the progenies would begin next year with farmers giving back any progeny that is matured till ten (10) or the same number received is given. These off springs would be given to new beneficiaries who are on the waiting list.

Livestock mortality has been minimal as a result of the knowledge farmers received at various meetings, and workshops that were organized in the communities on both animal husbandry and health care. More livestock were vaccinated against PPR, Rabies, Anthrax, CBPP and Blackleg as AEAs assisted in mobilizing farmers for the veterinarian to vaccinate them. Disease situations were more detected and reported by farmers, AEAs and other stakeholders to the office for easy control. This has also led to the increase in livestock population in the district.

Milk processors at Hamile had their fair share as they saw the practical demonstration on pasteurized milk, flavored milk, yoghurt and local cheese (‘Wagahie’) been done in the hygienic way, and also learnt about the need for their personal health checks.

VILLAGE MANGO PROJECT

5.5 The Village Mango Project was started in the district in 2008 till 2010. The project was designed to encourage farmers to put up mango plantations, but envisaging the problem of protecting the tree seedlings from livestock destruction the idea was shifted to rather supplying the individuals with few plants (5-10) so that they can protect them better to survive

5.6 Achievement. Over 10,000 seedlings were distributed to the then Jirapa /Lambussie district farmers especially Tangpuori, Kadelego, Liero and Talipuo. These communities were supplied with these seedlings in 2008. In 2009 another 5000 seedlings for the two districts were given out for replacement of wilted plants and also for new farmers. In 2010 7,000 seedlings were again supplied to new communities in the two districts.

PROGRAMMES

5.7 Programmes: Programmes introduced in the district are the Upper west Agricultural Development Programme, The Northern Rural Growth Programme and the Block Farming Programme. These Programmes were introduced into the district in 1998 and 2009 and 2010 respectively. Upper West Agricultural Development Programme (UWADEP﴿ was concerned with improved breeds of livestock, Crop improvement Research and Extension delivery.

The Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP﴿ is linking farmers and other partners to various stakeholders along the value chain. Financial Institutions, Marketers, Input dealers and Producers are also involved in this Programme.

The Youth in Agric Programme involving block Farming is assisting farmers in land preparation, and inputs supply for increased yields

Table: Number and names of functional FBOs

NAME OF GROUP	NAME OF GROUP LEADER	DISTRICT	TOWN/VILLAGE	ACTIVITIES	TYPE OF BENEFIT
Karni Blind farmers	Sivero	Lambussie-	Karni	Vegetable	Farming tools, seed, Irrigation system
Alhassan Enterprise	Alhassan Haruna	Lambussie	Hamile	Farming, trading	Credit
Hapa men group	Hille Dyaka	Lambussie	Hapa	Farming	Credit
Kangol women Samoa farmers group	Stella Porekuu	Lambussie	Kangol	Farming	Credit, inputs

6.6 Agricultural Infrastructure.

Fertilizer Depots: – The district had Two (2) fertilizer depots for the period of Upper Region Agricultural Development Project (URADEP﴿. These depots were built by the then Farmers Services Company (FASCOM﴿. However due to the privatization system by Government, these depots are not maintained and therefore not in use

Grain Silo Depots: – There is a modern Silo built in Lambussie since 1987 that can stockpile tons of grain if put to use. Other storage facilities available include (traditional improved, communal or private). The communal silos are located at Samoa, Piina and Billaw. These were built by TECHNOSERV.

Input retailing shops:- There are a few input retailing shops in the district. These shops are not solely for farm inputs but sold with other merchandise. Farmers mostly buy their inputs from neighboring Nandom in the Lawra district

Office accommodation for DADU: – The district has no permanent office accommodation. The District Assembly however, provided a single room as office accommodation, which houses all staff including stores. There is a quarantine station at Hamile, but no single room accommodation for DADU apart from a few AEAs quarters

Number of quarters for AEAs and other staff: – There are five AEA quarters located at Lambussie, Karni, Samoa, Piina and Billaw. These buildings have seen no rehabilitation since they were built 14 years ago.

Livestock centers There is a livestock center at Hamile at the quarantine station, built to carter for the movement and mass vaccinations of livestock. It has a borehole and a loading unit.

Tractor services centers: – There is no approved tractor service centre in the district. However with the incoming of the subsidized tractor scheme, farm tractor services are arranged for all beneficiaries in the district.

Post harvest losses for major crops:- Post harvest losses technologies for small holder farmers have also been introduced in the district. These are the construction of improved mud silos, the use of polythene dryers’ three bagging system, and aluminum storage silos.

1. 1. Energy and Machines

These are Tools and Equipment:-

6.7.1 Sources of energy: – The district has no other source of energy either than electrically energy generated from V.R.A. However machines in the district are tractors and power tillers.

The number of tractors in the district cannot be quantified for now. However, the district benefited from about five AMSEC Tractors last year

POTENTIAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The potential investment opportunities in the district centered on agro processing and plantation agriculture are.

►Shea butter processing,

►Groundnut paste Shea butter and soya oil processing.

►Soya weenie mix processing.

►Mango and cashew plantations

►Eco-Tourism

Major markets and market days

The major markets in the district are Hamile Zongo and that of Burkina Faso, Piina, Karni and Samoa; These Markets do not have specific days as they come every six days, thereby moving the days backwards. For example when Piina market comes on Friday then the next market will be on Thursday.