Location
The South Dayi District lies within latitudes 3o 20N and 3.5o 05N and lies approximately on longitude 0o17E.   It shares boundaries with Kpando, Hohoe, Ho and Asuogyaman Districts, while the Volta Lake form the western boundary.  The district covers a total area of 100 square kilometres with some parts submerged by the Volta Lake.
The district is easily accessible by roads such as the one which runs from Kpando through Kpeve to Accra and Hohoe through Kpeve to Ho.

Topography
The most conspicuous physical features of the South Dayi District are the Akwapim-Togo-Atakora ranges which forms the eastern boundary between South Dayi and Ho Districts, South of latitude 3o28N. Scattered over the district are hills and ridges which give the topography undulating nature. Examples of these hills are at Tsatee, Akpato, Amekulotoe and Abanyakoe.

Vegetation
The vegetation of the District is a mix of Guinea woodland and deciduous forest.  The savanna woodlands consist of grass with scattered trees including bamboos, baobab and acacia.   The semi-deciduous forests are found on the slopes of the Akwapim-Togo-Attakora hills and parts of Tsate, To Kpalime and Dzemeni areas. Much of the forests have however been lost due to lumbering and bad farming/bush burning practices.

Soils
The major soil types in the district are the savanna ochrosols and ground water laterites.   But along the Volta Lake, alluvial silty loam predominates.  Inventories made to classify soils according to their general and chemical characteristics indicate the soils in the district are of low organic matter, low fertility and low moisture holding capacity. There is widespread soil erosion at various parts of the district.

The District Agricultural Development Unit (DADU) of South Dayi is also promoting the use of mucuna (a legume) to improve upon soil fertility in the district (as there is very low usage of fertilizers, especially chemical fertilizers by farmers) and in various local diets.

Climate
The climate of the district is tropical.  It is greatly influenced by the south-west monsoons from the South Atlantic, and dry harmattan winds from the Sahara.
There are two (2) rainy seasons; the major one from mid April to early July and minor one from September to November. Over 50% of the total rain falls in the major season.
The average annual rainfall varies from 900mm to 1300mm.  However, there are considerable variations in the onset, duration and intensity of the monthly rainfall.
Generally, rainfall is inadequate even during the major season for reliable production. Failures of the minor season rains have often been experienced.

Drainage and Water Resources:

The district is drained by the Volta Lake and River Dayi.  The Volta Lake runs virtually along the whole of the western boundary, and its basin provides a prime farming land suitable for the cultivation of various food and industrial crops.  The Volta Lake provides a thriving fishing ground for communities along the lake.  The lake also provides opportunity for lake transport.
River Dayi also started from the western boundary but entered Lake Volta before reaching Akpato..

Demographic Characteristics

The People of South Dayi District
The people of South Dayi are very homogenous in terms of language and culture.  There are four (4) traditional areas; Peki, Kpalime, Tongor and Kpeve.  They all speak Ewe and their culture is virtually the same.  They are well united under their traditional leaders. Hence they recognize and respect chieftaincy as a unifying institution.
Spatial Distribution of Human Population:
This spatial distribution of the population in the South Dayi District appears to be dictated by the physical factors.  The distribution pattern reveals that the human population is found mostly along the hills and the Volta Lake.  The population distribution is skewed in favour of rural areas as shown in the table below:

Distribution of Population

Hierarchy of Settlement:
From the settlement analysis the first nine (9) settlements have a population of 24,329, which constitutes 85.3% of the District population.  This means that 85.3% of the entire district population is concentrated in nine towns.

The following table depicts the hierarchy of settlement absolutely in terms of population and service delivery function.
Population And Service Delivery

Land use
Family land ownership is the predominant land tenure system in the district.  Under this system a piece of land belonging to a family is allocated to family members to cultivate but without permanent individual ownership.

There is also a system of share cropping and leasing of land to tenant farmers.  Under this system, the tenant shares the farm produce according to the agreement between the tenant and the landlord.  In most cases the ratio is 2:1 in favour of the tenant.
There is also a system of outright purchase of land where necessary.
The free livestock grazing system also exists where livestock roam about and graze freely on land not under food crop production.

For ease of rendering Agricultural Extension Services the District has been divided into four (4) zones: Kpeve Zone, Peki South, Peki North and Dzemeni Zone.

According to the physical features and demographic characteristics of the district the following table shows the possible agricultural activities that can be carried out in the various zones.

Possible Land Use

Agricultural Output
Introduction
The economy of the district is basically similar to those of other rural district in the region.  Agriculture (arable farming) is the most significant economic activity and it is estimate that about 62% of the active population is engaged either directly or indirectly in this sector.

Agriculture, including crop production, fishing livestock production and forestry, forms the leading sector in the district economy.  It provides employment for about 62% of the population.  Agriculture forms the basis for successful operation of the thriving markets in the district.

Crop Production
The main crops cultivated in the district are maize, cassava, pepper, yam, plantain, cowpea and vegetables.  These crops are cultivated for home consumption and for sale.
The most prevalent crop is maize which is estimated to cover from 30% – 50% of the total land under cultivation.  It is grown all over the district especially in the area around Peki.

Cassava is also a major crop.  Its production is centered around Peki and Sanga.  The district is suitable for the cultivation of yam by virtue of its location in the transitional agro-ecological zone.  Water yam is fairly cultivated in the district for both domestic consumption and export to other districts.

Non-traditional export crops like pawpaw, pineapples and mango can also do well in the district.  Oil palm and cashew can also do well in certain parts of the district.  Crop production in the district is characterized by:-

•    Smallholder farmers
•    The use of simple techniques
•    Bush fallow or shifting cultivation
•    Heavy dependence on the rains
•    High level of post harvest losses
•    Low level of fertilizer application
•    Use of poor agronomic practices and
•    Pest and disease attack.

The table below shows the major crop, estimated area cultivated, average yield per hectare and outputs for 2007 in the South Dayi District

Estimated Production of Major crops in the South Dayi District in Metric Tonnes (MT).

Source: SRID Survey.

Cassava production in the district is supported by Root and Tuber Improvement Project (RTIP) at Kpeve Agricultural station which multiplies the improved varieties of cassava planting materials for farmers.

Fishing:
Fish farming was introduced in 2006 and is catching on very fast.  For example, there are ten (10) cages at Kpeve Tornu and also several others at Kayira Tornu.  The major problem facing the industry is the high cost of fish feed and net. The potential is however great.
Lake fishing accounts for the bulk of fish landed in the district.  Migrant fishermen who supply about 20% of the district daily requirement of fish carry out most of the inland fishing in the Volta Lake along the 80km lake shore of the district.  Dzemeni is an important market which thrives on the fishing industry.
Dzemeni has a comparative advantage in fishing given the existence of the Volta Lake. Fish catch have increased steadily over the years at Dzemeni.

The table below shows the volume of fish Landed at Dzemeni in 2009 (kg)

Fresh Fish Landed at Dzemeni 2009 (kg).

Source: Field data collected by DADU – South Dayi

Overall Total Fish Catch in 2009         =    157,672
Average catch per month            =      13,139
Average No. of Fishing Canoes        =             51
Average No. of Fishing Days            =             18
Average CPUE I Month            =           434
Average CPUE 1 Day                =        25.58
NB: CPUE  =  Catch per Unit Effort

Not withstanding the increase in the volume of fish landed there is a problem with the use of inappropriate fishing methods that threatens the sustainability of the industry.  Prominent among these methods are:
●    “Atidza”
●    Bamboo traps
●    Poisonous chemicals

Animal Production
The potentials for animal production, especially poultry, small Ruminants (sheep and goats) and Micro livestock (Non-traditional small stock) are very high when one considers the agro-ecology and the size of the district.

Poultry
Poultry production (both local and exotic) is scattered all over the district.  Some infrastructure for large scale production of poultry can be found at the Kpeve Agricultural station and Todome all in the Kpeve Zone of the district.  While the exotic birds are housed, the Local poultry production is carried out on free range.
The Kpeve Rural Poultry Development Project at Kpeve Agricultural Station supports the upgrading of the local stock of poultry through the supply of improved cockerel to farmers.

Small ruminant
Small Ruminants production is also scattered in the district and has a high potential for development if the farmers can be made to take their production as a business and be ready to adequately house, feed and cater for the health of the animals.  Presently, sheep and goats production is mainly on free range.  Consequently excessive inbreeding leading to slow growth rate is one of the problems confronting the industry.

Swine
Pig production in the district is steadily increasing and its production concentrates mainly in the Dzemeni Zone.
Improper and inadequate feeding are the greatest problems facing the pig industry in the district.  The Kpeve Agricultural station is also gradually developing infrastructure that will facilitate the supply of pig breeding stock to farmers.

Cattle
Cattle production is also on the increase in the district.  Its production is concentrated mainly in the Kpeve and Dzemeni Zones.  There is a thriving Livestock Market (for sheep, goats, pigs and cattle) at Dzemeni which needs to be propped up to function properly.

Guinea fowl
Some farmer groups have expressed interest in Guinea fowl production. DADU is therefore considering promotion of Guinea fowl production among the youth. As a result, this issue was discussed with the District Assembly and they are undertaking parent stock production at the Kpeve Agricultural Station.

The market at Dzemeni and Kpeve are the major source of grain supply that can make any investment in Livestock feed production viable.

Agro-Forestry:
Agro-forestry has a role to play in the development of the district.  This is because privately owned teak plantations are being cut indiscriminately and sold to contractors due to poverty.  Forest and other large areas are being exploited for charcoal and fuel-wood production especially in Todome and Dzemeni areas.   Indiscriminate bush burning in the dry season has also contributed to the degradation of large tracts of land.

Services to Agriculture
Agricultural extension services:
The District Agricultural Development Unit (DADU) is the main facilitator of increased agricultural production, productivity and growth in the district.  It is expected to provide efficient and cost-effective services in the areas of appropriate agricultural technology delivery, processing/preservation and marketing of all farm-based activities such as crops, livestock and agro-forestry and fish production.  DADU is tasked with the provision of feedback on agricultural research and other support services to farmers’ priority needs.

Agricultural Extension in the district is however, hampered by the following factors:
•   Limited number of well qualified staff
•   Ratio of field staff to farmers is very low
•   Poor logistic support
•   Poor nature of access roads
To facilitate agricultural extension delivery to the farmers the district is divided into four (4) zones with ten (10) operational areas in all.  Each operational area is controlled by an Agricultural Extension Agent (AEA) who assists farmers to improve upon their farming practices for increased production and productivity.  DADU also has Agricultural station at Kpeve that conducts research, supply of planting materials and breeding animals.  Thus, we have Root and Tuber Improvement Project (RTIP) Livestock and Poultry improvement project.

Tractor Services:
Presently there are five (5) tractors that offer services to farmers in the district.
The distribution of these tractors is as follows:
Distribution of tractors offering services in the district

Location of Tractor Services

Agro Chemical Stores:

Agro-chemical stores are found at Kpeve, Dzemeni and Peki. However several individuals come and sell on market days.
The distribution of agro-chemical stores is shown below:

Town             No. of  Agro-Chemical Store
Kpeve                    3
Dzemeni               3
Peki                   3
Total                   9

Agro-Based Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):
There is one NGO i.e  Associates For Sustainable Rural Development (ASRuD) currently working on value chain development.
Arrangement are under way to attract more NGOs into the district.

Farmer Based Organisation(FBOs)
There are eleven registered active FBOs in the district. They are engaged in the various activities along the value chain (production – marketing).

Post Harvest Equipment/Warehouse:
The farmers use the traditional crib to store maize and yam therefore there are no known elaborate post harvest equipment/warehouse in the district apart from those at equatorial ventures for the preservation of vegetables and maize.

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Road
South Dayi District is accessed mainly by network of Highways and Feeder roads.  The main road is 80km from Asikuma through Peki to Kpeve.  Others, which are feeder roads, include the following:
•       18km Todome-Tsate-Kpalime – Dzemeni road
•       18km Asikuma-Anum-Dzemeni road
•       Wusuta-Tsibu road
The urban roads include those of Kpeve and Peki.  Most of the feeder roads become impassable during the rainy season as a result of erosion of the carriage way and lack of bridge and culverts and the absence of routine maintenance by the Department of Feeder Roads.

Public Transport:
The public transport system consists of mini buses and cargo trucks.  Individuals under the GPRTU mainly operate it.  The linter-City S.T.C. also operates in the District even though at very irregular intervals.

Lake Transport
The Volta Lake with a shoreline of 80km long forms the western boundary of the South Dayi District.  The District is easily accessible by river craft and engine boats.  There is therefore, much interaction between the two entry points of Kpando-Torkor and Dzemeni.  The problem with lake transport is the presence of many tree stumps in the lake and lack of landing site.  There is also inadequate number of river crafts.
Other Means Of  Transport
Head loading the use of carts and bicycles to convey agricultural produce are also carried out.  There are not enough tracks leading to farms in the district.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
1.4    The district has three (3) major banks.  Ghana Commercial Bank, Weto Rural Bank and Agricultural Development Bank.
The following are their locations:

Banks in the District and their locations

AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS:
1.5    Listed below are some of the agricultural projects in the South Dayi District

Some Agricultural Project Found In the District

OFF-SEASON ACTIVITIES
Crop farmers under take
–    Hunting
–    Palm wine tapping
–    Charcoal making
During the off-season; while fishermen undertake drawdown vegetable, rice and cassava farming along the Volta Lake shore.

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Markets
There are three (3) main markets in the district.  These are Kpeve, Peki and Dzemeni.  Peki and Dzemeni markets come on every five days.  While the Kpeve one comes on Tuesday and Friday the Dzemeni one comes on every Thursdays.

There are no warehouses in the markets.  Thurs, safe-keeping, storage and preservation in the markets cannot be guaranteed.  Sanitation facilities (toilets and baths) are also not attached to the markets.
There are no abattoirs attached to the markets and livestock are slaughtered on unprotected slabs in the markets at Kpeve and Dzemeni.

There is a thriving but undeveloped livestock market at Dzemeni where cattle, sheep/goats and pigs are being sold.

AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The following are the only agricultural infrastructure found in the district.

(i) Kpeve Agricultural Station.  This has the following infrastructure.
–   Numerous Buildings all in a state that need rehabilitation
–   Feed mill which is occasionally used
–   Poultry Units – also in a state that needs rehabilitation
–   Nursery Irrigation Infrastructure
(ii) Some few silos for grain storage at Agbetey.  These are no more in use
(iii) FASCOM building at Peki – Now converted into block making factory.
(iv) One (1) Front line staff (FLS) quarters at Kpalime Duga.
(v) One (1) Fisheries quarters and offices at Dzemeni
(vi) Public Fish Smoking shed is constructed at Dzemeni

OTHERS
Land Tenure System
Family land ownership is the predominant land tenure system in the district.  Under this system, a piece of land belonging to a family is allocated to family members to cultivate but without permanent individual ownership.  Three crops cultivated belong to the individual family member to whom the land is allocated.

There is also a system of share cropping and leasing of land to tenant farmers.  Under this system the tenant share the farm produce according to the agreement between the tenant and the landlord and also the type of crop cultivated.  In most cases the ratio is 2:1 in favour of the tenant.  In other cases it may be 1:1.  Under the leasing system the tenant pays an agreed sum of money for a piece of land rented for seasons or years.  There is also a system of outright purchase of land where necessary.

The free communal grazing system also exists where livestock roam about and graze freely on land not under food crop production.

Stakeholders In Agricultural Development
The District Agricultural Development Unit (DADU), Schools, the District Assembly and the Farmers are the main stakeholders in agricultural development in the district.

There is no known registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) promoting agriculture in the district even though some NGOs from outside the district occasionally come to train farmers.  There is, therefore, the utmost need for the District Assembly, being the District Government and a major stakeholder, to collaborate fully with DADU in order to promote agricultural development and the eradication poverty in the district.

BACKGROUND

Nkwanta South is one of the eighteen districts in the Volta Region. The Nkwanta South came into being with the division of the former Nkwanta district into the South and North in 2009.
The former was curved from the Kete-Krachi District in 1989. The district capital is Nkwanta
The major towns in the district are loaded to the natural Electricity Grid.
It is hoped the rural Electrification program will soon reach all the other communities.

The climate is characterized by bimodal rainfall pattern to the south and uni-modal to to the north. The three vegetation zones found in the district namely Semi-deciduos forest (45%), Transitional (25%) and Savannah grassland (30%) coupled with the two types of soil (Savannah- Ochrosols and Forest Ochrosols with Oxysol) present area with large variety of crops .

Tree crops such as Cocoa, Citrus Oil-palms, Kola, plantain, cashew and banana. Roots and tubers – cassava, yam and cocoyam. The cereals are cowpea and sorghum. The district characterized by low population density and has vast tracks of land for agricultural activities. Land are highly accessible from the local chiefs and family elders. The many rivers and streams that drained the area bring many small valley bottoms and river basins which offer opportunities for irrigation and large crop production, fishing and livestock production.

Processing or adding value to agricultural produce like cassava, yam oil-palms, cashew are venture that present more prospects  in the district.

LOCATION AND SIZE:

Nkwanta South District is located in the North Eastern section of the Volta Region.  Its position is latitude 7 300 and 8 450 north ,longitude 0 450 east It shares common boundaries with Krachi East District in the West, the Republic of Togo in the East, the Kadjebi District in the South and the Nkwanta North of the Volta Region in the North.

The District has a total Land Surface area of 3,026.6km2. The total agricultural land area is about 2106km2. It is estimated that in 2009 about 35,260.2 Ha of this area was put under cultivation to the major crops.

CLIMATE

Generally, Nkwanta South District is characterized by a double maxima of rainfall, April – June as major season and August – October as minor season. Rainfall is heaviest in August with an average of 350mm each year.

RAINFALL FIGURES FOR 2000 – 2010

The average number of rain days is 68.27 per annum with annual rainfall ranging between 883.8mm and 1,676mm. The dry season spans over November to March.

Mean annual temperature ranges between 24oC and 39oC while the minimum temperature is between 11oC and 26oC. January to March is the hottest months and December with the lowest temperature of about 10oC.

VEGEכTATION:

There are three (3) vegetation zones. These are:

Semi-Deciduous Forest:

This is found mainly on the South-Eastern border of the district along the Buem-Togo ranges ie Dadiase, Keri, Kromase and Shiare. Some forests are also located towards the southern border with the Kadjebi District, thus Obanda, Abubruwa, Pusupu and Bontibor, and the west at Tutukpene. The Semi-Deciduous Forests account for about 45% of the total land area.

Savannah Woodland:
This embraces the areas from the fringes of the Semi-Deciduous Forests South wards to the central portion of the district involving towns like Nkwanta (the district capital), Krontang, Abrewankor and Kabiti accounting for about 25% of the total land area.

Savannah Grassland:

This extends from the central portion about 32km towards the North part of the district, the border with the Nkwanta North District ie Bonakye and New Agou. This zone also occupies about 30% of the total land area of the district.

RELIEF:

There are two (2) main relief zones in the District. These are; the mountainous southern portion lying along the eastern border with the Republic of Togo to form part of the Akwapim/Volta-Togo range. This section is marked by the Kyabobo Mountain, 884meters near Chillinga and the Kelebo mountains, 738 meters south of Brewaniase. This zone has steep slopes.

The second relief zone is a flat and low-lying belt occupying almost 2/3 of the District land area. This zone stretches from the Savannah woodland of the northern part of the District to the forest zone of the southern part. It varies in height from 100 to 200 metres above sea level.

SOIL:

The first groups of soils are the Savannah Ochrosols, Savannah Ochrosol- Ground Weather and the Laterite Integrates, found in the savannah woodland zone. These groups of soils support crops such as yams, cassava, maize, groundnut, cowpea and sorghum.

The second groups of soils are the Forest Ochrosols and Oxysols found in the forest zone. These soils have greater accumulation of organic matter and support the cultivation of crops such as cocoa, citrus, oil palm, plantain, cocoyam, ginger and black pepper

DRAINAGE:

The District is drained by some rivers and streams such as Bonakye, Sabon, Kabiti, Kue, Chai. These rivers take their sources from Beue-Togo ranges on the eastern boarder of the district and flow southwesterly direction into the Oti river which covers about 1% of the surface of the district. Rivers Kabiti and Chai can be used for irrigation without damming as they contain large volumes of water running throughout the year. However rivers Bonakye, Sabon and Labon need to be dammed before they can be used for reliable irrigation as they sometimes dry up.

POPULATION:

The 2000 population census put the District population to be 88,200 with a growth rate of 4.4%, compared to 1.8% and 2.5% for the Region and country respectively. The population density is 31 people /km2 and over 74% of the people live in the most rural areas in scattered settlements. According to the 2000 housing census, only one settlement Nkwanta (District Capital) has population over 5000.

ETHNICITY/LAND TENURE

The ethnic composition of the District is quite diverse. The indigenous ethnic groups are the Ntrubos, the Adele, the Atwodes and the Challas. There are other settler ethnic groups. These included the Konkonbas, Bassares, the Ewes, Akans and the Kotokolis.
Akan is the language widely spoken throughout the district.
Land tenure system is prevalent in the district are leasing and share cropping. Land can easily be acquired for agricultural purposes both short and long terms through the chiefs and elders of the various ethnic groups and stools.

AGRICULTURE:

Agriculture is the main economic activity in the District engaging about 90% of the people. Crop farming, Livestock and inland fishing are the main sectors. It is estimated that 75% of the farmers practice shifting cultivation, 24% Bush fallow, 1% Agro forestry; and 60% of farms are mixed crops with another 60% mixed farming. The average farm size is about 2 acres.

Crop Production

Due to the different vegetation types found in the district, various crops are grown. These range from tree crops to roots and tubers, cereals, legumes, vegetables etc. Crop cultivated and their approximate acreages and yields as at 2008, are presented in the table below

Crops Produced

Crop production areas

Most farmers in the District are small holders and about 90% of them still use simple tools like hoes and cutlasses for cropping. The major crops (yam and cassava) are generally cultivated on mounds. Cereals are mostly by zero tillage.
The use of agro-chemicals is now on the increase for weed control and others. Also most farmers depend on family labour and traditional ways of storing their produce. Post-harvest losses are very significant. Agro processing in the District is limited to gari processing which occupies about 70% of the women folk.

INDUSTRIAL CROPS

Oil palm cultivation is now on large scale in the district. A foreign company (Herackeles) has acquired 5,000ha of land in Brewaniase and currently establishing plantations to produce palm oil for industrial purposes.
Shea nut is also found in the savanna areas. However, only a few nuts are usually picked by the women and the rest left to rot.

LIVESTOCK

Livestock farming is the next prominent after food crops in the District. Cattle, sheep, goats and pigs (both local and exotic) can be found. The small ruminants (sheep, goats) can be found all over the District. Large herds of cattle are particularly reared in the western and northern part of the District. Local pigs are also found to the north with local poultry all over the District.

Exotic poultry and pigs are mostly limited to the urban areas, especially Nkwanta.

Livestock Population-December 2009

Animal Husbandry practices in the District are very low; with most being small ruminants, local pigs and poultry on the free range. Average herd of small ruminants per household is five (5) animals and cattle twenty (20) per kraal or a compound. Dairy milk collection is very limited and meat sold by butchers is unprocessed:-

Fish farming:-

Aquaculture is not prominent in the District in spite of existing potentials. However Inland fishing is wide spread along the Oti arm of the Volta Lake. Types of fish species often landed include:-

•    Alestes bavemoze
•    Auchenoglanis occidentalis
•    Bagrus bajad
•    Brycinus nurse
•    Chromidotilapia guentheri
•    Hemichromis bimaculatus
•    Clavis anguillaris

They are sold in the local markets mostly smoked or salted. Community Based Fisheries, Management Committee exist in the main fishing communities; these include – Kabiti, and “B” Zongo.

MARKETS

The District is an important producer of Food Crops and Livestock in the Region and as a result a number of market settlements have developed where vigorous trading takes place. These markets offer producers locations to meet buyers and also give them the opportunity to buy agricultural inputs. Below is a table of some important markets with distribution.

Local Market Days

Communities cart produce by trucks or by head pottage to these centres. Most of the leading produce like yams, gari and maize attract middlemen from outside the District. They buy both from these markets and the farm gate and cart them in big trucks to urban areas all over the country. Even sometimes to the neighbouring countries. On the average, 88 metric tons (800 bags of 100kg each) of gari is transported out of the district every week to other parts of the country (Accra, Mankesim, Cape Coast, Tamale Bolgatanga and Bawku) and outside to Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.
Also, 700 bags (one hundred and forty footer container) of yellow gari was bought from two (2) communities (Odumasi and Chaiso) and exported to the Netherlands in 2009.

FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The financial Institutions in the District include:
•    The Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB)
•    The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB)
•    The North Volta Rural Bank (NVRB)
•    Also the following institutions:
•    Women and Development, NGO
•    The Catholic Dioceses of Jasikans Financial Unit (WADEP-MFI)
•    Association of Productive Entrepreneurs in Development (APED) an affiliate to the World Vision International
Provide microfinance services to most petty traders and artisans as well as farmers.
The Nkwanta District Teachers Credit Union of the CUA is a source of credit to some salary workers who also engage in agriculture activities.

SPECIAL PROJECTS:
The District is benefited from projects being implemented by various National Directorates of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as well as some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

These special projects include
a)    Cashew Development Project (CDP)-2003-2010
b)    Livestock Development Project (LDP)-2003-2010
c)    Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Project (RTIMP)-ongoing
d)    Mass Cocoa Spraying Exercise-ongoing
e)    World Vision International collaboration projects-ongoing
f)    Wildlife Division Kyabobo National Park Development Project-ongoing
g)    Women and Development Projects-ongoing
h)    Small ruminant/Animal traction project (Nkwanta Livestock Station)-ongoing
i)    African Cashew Initiative, GIZ-ongoing

Cashew Development Project (CDP)
The CDP seeks to increase the income levels of at least 3,000 small-scale farmers, including tree nursery operators and processors. The project objectives are:-
•    To increase cashew nut production
•    To increase village level processing of cashew fruits and nuts
•    To improve income levels/reduce poverty

The project components include: Plantation Development, Extension and Training, Credit and Project Management.
Under the CDP, 177ha of cashew plantations were established. These plantations were also intercropped with food crops such as; maize, yam, groundnut, cassava, vegetables and sorghum. A total of 504 farmers (including 34 females) benefited from GH¢ 78, 31420 credited.
And 51 bags (4080kgs) of raw cashew nuts was produced and sold to processors outside the district in the 2010 season.

AFRICAN CASHEW INITIATIVE (ACI)

The ACI a joint programme by the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) the German NGO GIZ and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has come to continue the gains of CDP.
The focus of the ACI which commenced this year, 2010 is on;
•    Nursery Establishment
•    Establishment of new farms
•    Management of existing farms
•    Rejuvenation of unproductive farms
•    Pest and disease control

Livestock Development Project (LDP) – 2003 – 2010

The Livestock Development Project (LDP) seeks to increase the incomes of the small holder Livestock and Dairy farmers, processors and traders. These are to be achieved through the following:-
a)    Development of Animal production
b)    Development of Animal Health
c)    Credit provision
d)    Capacity building
e)    Project management
The performance of the LPD in the district has been impressive. The interventions have brought about increase in stock numbers from (2004-2010). Cattle increased by 104%, sheep by 67%, goats by 150%, pigs by 133% and local poultry by 63%.
The cash credit component was replaced by the credit-in-kind scheme due to low recovery. A total of 1,200 sheep was brought from outside the country and distributed to 120 farmers.

Small Ruminant/Animal Traction Project

This project with its nucleus at the Nkwanta Livestock Station had its main objective of promoting the multiplication improved breeds and Animal Traction for land preparation and carting of farm produce. Small holder credit, input and marketing project (Scump) in 1995.

Established under the SCIMP, it sought to improve the local breeds of sheep and goats with the Sahelian ones. Now it is supplying pure local breeds to smallholder farmers as well as training them in small ruminant production technique and Animal Traction. The project supplied 270 improved breeding stock to small holder farmers in the Volta Region, trained 125 farmers in animal production at 55 animal in traction. The station is also playing a major role in the implementation of the LDP in the Region.

Mass Cocoa Spraying Exercise

The main objectives are:
•    To increase the yield of cocoa through pests and diseases’ control.
•    To increase the Foreign Exchange from cocoa exports and hence income for the farmers.

The exercise is taking place in the cocoa growing areas in the Southern and Western parts of the district. These include Brewaniase, Obanda, Salifu, Kecheibi, Panku-Dain and Bontibor, Abubruwa, Odumase, Krontang. It is covering 720 ha of cocoa plantation. The mass spraying exercise has increased the production of the crop from 90 tons in 1999 to over 200 Tonnes in 2010.

Root and tuber improvement and marketing programme (RTIMP)

The RTIMP is enhancing income and food security to improve livelihoods of the rural poor and is building a market based system to ensure profitability at all levels of the value chain for cassava and yam.

The programme is perusing the following:
Strengthening of farmer groups and associations of the root and tuber farmers, processors and traders. And linking these small producers and processor to large scale markets.

Supporting the root and tuber production through research, planting material multiplication and distribution, improved cultivation practices and soil fertility management.

The RTIMP is also upgrading the small scale processing and developing business and marketing skills by organizing farmer visits to the Good practices centres established in Krontang in the district. Training in business development and operations of a Micro-Enterprise Fund to assist the processors upgrade their existing equipments.
So far, five (5) Farmer Field Fora (FFF) has been organized to help about 250 farmers improve their cultivating practices in cassava production.
Over 1,596 farmers were supplied with planting materials. Three hundred (300) cassava processors trained on quality management in the cassava supply chain. Forty (20) bakers trained in using High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) in confectionary. One hundred and fifteen (115) (73 females and 42 males) processors and traders were given knowledge on generic business development and microfinance management.

Wildlife Division Kyabobo National Park Development Project

The creation of the Kyabobo National Park in the District made it necessary to introduce some environmentally friendly and economically viable and sustainable income generating activities into the communities around the fringes of the Park. These activities include: Beekeeping, Small ruminant rearing and establishment of Fruit Tree and Woodlot plantations. These income-generating activities will minimize poaching and other illegal activities and sustain the Park. The DADU is collaborating in training and monitoring activities of the beneficiaries. In the main, the project seeks.

•    To offer alternative source of livelihood to people on the fringes of the park.
•    To reduce the dependency of the inhabitants on the forest
•    To eliminate the incidence of bush fires and deforestation in the park associated with human activities such as hunting for game and honey.

World Vision International Project

Nkwanta Area Development Programme ADP is collaborating with the DADU in the following areas:
–    Apiculture
–    Small ruminant production
–    Tree crop nursery
–    Enhance program: vegetable and poultry

The Apiculture project is aimed at reducing wild honey hunting and its effects on the environment. Apiculture is to serve as alternative source of income to farmers thereby reducing their over reliance on the traditional crops. About 774 beehives were supplied to 258 trained farmers (200 males, 58 females).

The small ruminant project trained beneficiary farmers in basic skills in managing small animals. Under this project 454 farmers were trained and 287 (108 females, 179 males) were supplied with small ruminants for rearing. Also training was given to 25 grasscutter farmers and 15 were supplied with 45 grasscutters and cages.

The nursery supplied 11, 570 oil palm, 400 citrus, 400 mango, 800 moringa seedlings to farmers to enhance achieve the following:
–    168 rabbits distributed to 56 farmers (44 males, 12 females)
–    198 cockerel and 194 pullets distributed to 238 beneficiaries (155 females, 83 males).
Train farmers to acquire the technology of budding and grafting as well as nursery management in crops like citrus and mangoes.

The WVI Enhance programme sought to improve on the nutrition of beneficial especially children.

–    vegetable gardening
–    vegetable processing and utilization
–    rabbit rearing and planting of fruit trees (mangoes and citrus)
–    poultry

WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT – WADEP

Women and Development project is an NGO under the Catholic diocese of Jasiken and operating in the Nkwanta South District. WADEP collaborates with MOFA in the area of training farmers in Apiculture and dry season vegetable farming. So far, about 55 farmers trained.

EXTENSION SERVICES

Extension Services in the District are improving rapidly with the decentralization of MOFA. However the large farmer/AEA ratio (3000:1) and the very large operational areas are limiting factors. The District has been divided into 13 AEA operational areas with 4 supervising zones.

EXTENSION COVERAGE

FERTILIZER SUBSIDY PROGRAMME

The Block Farming Project under the National Youth Employment Program, Youth in Agriculture is being implemented in the district. This Project is taking advantage of the Fertilizer subsidy policy of the Government and linking the numerous poor small scale farmers to get subsidized inputs to produce maize, rice and vegetable.

The district in 2010 received 1,017 bas of NPK and 1,013 bags of SOA fertilizer, maize and rice seeds which was supplied to farmers. Some farmers were also assisted to prepare their lands through contract ploughing engaging the services of the few private tractor operators in the district.

AGRICULTURAL POTENTIALS

Nkwanta District has a lot of potentials in Crops, Livestock production and Fisheries. In terms of crop production it has advantages in yams, cassava, rice, vegetables, cocoa, maize and oil palm.

There are vast stretches of land under very suitable climatic conditions for cultivating yams without the laborious processes of staking. Cassava can also be cultivated on vast areas under mechanization.

Rice cultivation can be done in the estimated 5000 hectares of low lying lands and river basins. The rivers can also be dammed to cultivate vegetables under irrigation, aquaculture and provide water for livestock.

Cashew is very suitable in the transitional zone, which covers about ½  of the area of the District. This condition can also support a huge beekeeping industry in the District. Almost 50% of the total cultivable land area in the District is semi deciduous forest. This has enormous potentials to increase the production of cocoa, oil palm, citrus and black pepper.

AGRO-PROCESSING

The District has enormous potential for Agro-processing industries. But presently there is only cassava that is being processed into gari and some chips, (kokonte). Currently the district can boost of only one good practices centre of gari processing located at Krontang. Most of the gari is produced by numerous small individual processors using equipments that need upgrading or replacement.

CASSAVA PROCESSING

Nkwanta South District currently produces over 583,000 tons of Cassava annually.

SCALE OF PRODUCTION OF GARI

The potential to increase this to over 1 million tons within one (1) year is there.

Integrated cassava processing factories are urgently needed to process the raw cassava into:-
•    High quality cassava flour (HQCF) to replace wheat flour for baking.
•    Cassava Starch for industrial use
•    Gari for human consumption
•    Tapioca and Biscuits for human consumption
•    Animal Feed (cassava and peels + soya bean _ others) for Livestock and poultry.

YAM PROCESSING

Over 114,000 tons of yams are currently produced annually in the District; and the potential to increase the production is great. These can be processed into:-
•    Yam Fufu Powder
•    Yam chips/Crisps
•    Yam Samovita (yam+ soyabeans + Maize flour)

CASHEW PROCESSING

Nkwanta South District currently has about 177 Hectares of Cashew Plantations. These can be increased to over 1,000 hectares.

Cashew Processing have to be in place to start processing over 4,000 tons of Cashew nuts and another 6,000 tons of cashew apple into:-
•    Cashew nut juice for industrial uses
•    Cashew nuts for food
•    Cashew soft drinks
•    Cashew wine
•    Cashew vinegar
•    Cashew spirits (gin, whisky, brandy etc).

HONEY PROCESSING

The Apiculture Development Projects being supported by World Vision International and Kyabobo National Park Development Project presently have some 1000 improved Beehives in the District. These hives produce over 10,000 litres of Honey annually. These will increase 100 fold in five (5) years time when Cashew plantations expand to over 5,000 hectares.

The millions of litres of honey to be produced must be process into:-
•    Honey Jam for bread spreads
•    Honey wax for the textile industries
•    Pharmaceutical products
•    Cosmetics

SHEA NUT PROCESSING

There are large quantities of shea nuts that can be picked in the two savanna zones.
Establishing a Shea nut processing in the district will create a market pool which will encourage picking of the nuts.

BACKGROUND

The Nkwanta North District is one of the newly created districts carved out of the Nkwanta District by L1 1846 and inaugurated in February 29, 2008. The capital of the district is Kpassa, which is about 270 km from Ho, the Regional capital.

The District is located in the north Eastern part of the Volta Region and lies between latitude 00301N and 80451E and latitude 70301N and 80451N. It shares common boundaries with the Nanumba South district to the north, Nkwanta South district to the south,Republic of Togo to the East, and Kpandai district to the west.

The district has a total land surface area of approximately 1510 km2 (about 7.13%) of the total land area of the Volta region).

Based on the 2000 population and housing census (60,517) and population growth rate of 3.0%. The current population is estimated to be at 78,672.The district is unique because it has several potentials.

Generally, the district experiences prolong m perennial rainfall season from May to October suitable for crop production. The annual rainfall figures ranges between 922mm and 1,874 mm

Agriculture is the main economic activity which employs about80% of the inhabitants.

The major crops grown are: yam, cassava maize groundnuts cowpea and rice.

The district equally has large expanse of grassland suitable for animal production. It has large volume of perennial water in the river Ota from which fishing is carried out and can also be used for all season irrigation.

Labour force is readily available for farming activities.

Health care facilities are also available to attend any illness and or patient.

PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Location and Size

The District is located in the North Eastern part of the Volta Region and lies between longitudes 00 10W and 00 45’’ E and latitudes 70 3’’ N and 80 45’’ N. It shares common boundaries with the Nanumba South District to the north, Nkwanta South District to the South, republic of Togo to the East, and Kpandai District to the West.The District has a total land surface area of approximately 1,510 km2 (about 7.13% of the total area of the Volta Region).Its capital is about 270 km from Ho the region capital.The District is unique because there are opportunities of cross social- cultural and economic interactions and synergies by virtue of its proximity to the republic of Togo and Northern Region of Ghana.

Relief

The District has a uniform relief zone, approximately flat low-lying belt with occasionally undulating attitudes between 100m and 200m above sea level. The foot of Togo- Buem Ranges adjoins the district eastwards. This type of topography is most suitable for infrastructure and mechanized agricultural development in the district.

Drainage

Three major perennial rivers namely the Oti, Morla and Kpassa from the Togo Buem range watershed drain the district southwards. Several other seasonal streams, which dry up during the dry season are found in the district. River Oti, Morlar and Kpassa can be used for irrigation without drainage as they contain large volumes of water flowing throughout the year.  The absence of irrigation scheme for dry season farming continues to serve as setbacks to socio-economic development in the district. Geology and Soils

The District is underlain by the Voltaian, Buem and Togo formations resulting in laterite clay and Savannah ochrosols and oxysol soils. This group of soils support support crops such as yam, cassava, maize groundnut, cowpea and sorghum. Not only are the soil types in the district good for farming but potentials for rare mineral exploration abound. Geological reasoning and examination of analogous mineral deposits in the Republic of Togo such as marble and rock phosphate in the Togo Formation should alone warrant a search for such deposits in similar geological formations in the district.

Climate

Generally the district is characterized by the tropical climate with humid and dry weather conditions. It experiences a prolong rainfall season from late April to October with the peak from July to September. A severe long dry spell follows immediately spanning from November to March. Annual rainfall figures range between 922mm and 1,874mm and a relatively high humidity of about 80%.The mean annual maximum temperature ranges between 760 F (240C) and 1030F (390C) whiles the mean annual minimum temperature ranges between 520 F (110C) and 790 F (260C).Generally, January to early April are the hottest months whiles December has the lowest temperature. The very high humidity is conducive for vectors of tropical diseases which are a threat to food/ animal production

Vegetation

Two vegetational zones characterized the district which are similar to Northern Savanna belt: They are Savannah woodland and Savannah Grassland that predominantly occupy greater part of the district. Occasional pockets and remnants of semi deciduous forest also exists.Common timber species found in them are Odum, wawa, and kyenkyen.The seasonal losses of vegetations through bush fires coupled with reduction in rainfall are clear indications that desertification is knocking at the door of the district hence policy interventions aimed at combating this threats should be put in place

3.0DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTIC

Population

The 2000 population and housing census puts  the total population of  the district at 60,517 of which about 78% live in the rural  areas. With the district population growth rate of 3.0% projected population for 2008, 2009 and 2010 are 75741, 76857 and 78672 respectively.The population density of the district is therefore estimated at 40 persons /km2.The relatively high population growth coupled with greater proportion of rural dwellers in the district requires policyinterventions that used to be put in place to strengthen human resource and infrastructural development.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is the main economic activity in the district engaging about 80% of the people. Crop farming, Livestock and inland fishing are the main sectors. It is estimated that 75% of the farmers practice shifting cultivation, 24% Bush Fallow, 1% Agro-forestry and 60% farms are mixed cropping and mixed farming. The average farm size is about 2acres.

4.1 Crop production

Nkwanta North District is noted for growing various types of crops. These ranges from tree crops, root and tubers, cereals, legumes, vegetables etc. Approximate acreages and yields of crops cultivate as at 2010 are presented in the table below.

Table 1: MAJOR CROPS PRODUCED IN NKWANTA NORTH DISTRICT

**Figures not readily available

Table 2: MAJOR AREAS OF CROPS PRODUCTION IN THE DISTRICT

Most farmers in the district are small holders and about 90% of them still use simple hoes and cutlasses for cropping. Also most farmers depend on family labour and traditional ways of storing their produce. Post harvest loses are very significant

Agro-Processing

Agro processing in the District include gari , soybeang and utilization, instant cassava floor processing and fish processing/smoking. This activity is undertaken by about 60% of the women.

LIVESTOCK-SUB-SECTOR

Livestock farming is another prominent venture in the district. Cattle, small ruminants (sheep and goats) and poultry – both local and exotic can be found throughout the district. Animal husbandry practices in the district are very low. Average herd of small ruminants per household is five (5) animals and cattle per kraal/compound are 20 animals. Diary milk collection is very limited and meat sold by butchers is usually unprocessed.

Table 3: LIVESTOCK CENSUS FIGURES.

Source: DADU- Livestock census

Sub-Sector

Fishing is an important agricultural activity in the district. The district is blessed with the Oti River and its tributaries and people living in settlements around it do a lot of intensive fishing. Various types of fresh-water fishes are harvested from the river. Some of the species include:

• Oreochromis niloticus
• Alestes bavemoze
• Auchenoglanis occidentalis
• Bagrus bajad
• Brycinus nurse
• Chromidotilapia guentheri
• Hemichromis bimaculatus
• Clarias angularis
• Heterotis niloticus
• Chrysichthys nigroditatus
• Gymnarchus niloticus
• Citharinus citharus

The fishes are sold in the local markets in both fresh and smoked forms. Some are  transported to urban areas such as Accra, Koforidua, Tema, and Somanya.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

The District is benefiting from projects being implimented by various National Directorates. For instance the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is implementing the underlisted special projects.

• § Cashew Development Project (CDP)
• § Livestock Development Project (LDP)
• § Fertilizer Subsidy Programme
• § Block Farm Programme
• § Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme(RTIMP)
• § African Cashew Initiative(ACi)

Cashew Development Project (CDP)

The CDP seeks to increase the income levels of at least 3,000 small – scale farmers, including tree nursery operators, processors and seed dealers. The project objectives are

• To increase cashew production
• To increase village level processing of cashew
• To improve income levels/reduce poverty
• To generate foreign exchange

The project components include;

• Production Development
• Extension and Training
• Credit
• Project Management

Livestock Development Project (LDP)

The Livestock Development Project LDP seeks to increase the incomes of small holder Livestock and Dairy Farmers, Processors and traders. These are to be achieved through:

• Improved productivity of the indigenous breeds of livestock (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs)
• Increasing livestock access to improved quality fodder and seed.
• Control of the major disease of livestock and poultry
• Provision of credit to producers, processors and traders

The LDP is targeting an estimated 1000 small – scale Livestock farmers and processors over a six (6) year period in the District.

Roots and Tubers Improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP).

The root and tuber improvement and marketing programme (RTIMP) is a follow – up to the Root and Tuber Improvement Programme (RTIP) which was implemented over 1999 to 2005. The goal of RTIMP is to enhance income and food security to improve lives of the rural poor and to build a market–based system to ensure profitability at all levels of the value chain.The purpose of RTIMP

• Enhance market relations within the Root and Tuber commodity chain to ensure a “pull” factor for increased production and to facilitate a better balancing of supply and demand.
• Sustainable enhancement of farm level productivity of root and tuber crop.
• Improved root and tuber processing and marketing.
• Increased access of the economically active poor to working capital by promoting new target–group specific lending instruments.
• Organizational development including the creation of an Apex Body for root and tuber commodity chain.
• Information dissemination, education and communication campaigns

AGRICULTURAL POTENTIALS Agro – Processing Industries

The District has enormous potentials for Agro – processing industries; but presently, there are none.

Yam Processing Factories

Over 150,000 Tonnes of yams are produced annually in the District. The potential to increase the production is great.The factories can process the bulk into

• Yam fufu powder (CSIR FRI)
• Yam chip (crisps)
• Yam Samovita (yam + soyabean + maize flour)

Cassava Processing Factory

The Nkwanta North District currently produces over 169,167metricTonnes of Cassava annually. There is high possibility of increasing this level to 190,000 because of the potentials the District. The cassava produced can be processes into

i.   Starch for industrial use                 iii. Tapioca and biscuits

ii.  Gari                                              iv. Animal feed for livestock and poultry

Tourism

Development of this sector in the District is still at its pristine stage. The most outstanding tourist attractions are River Oti, one of Ghana’s largest and famous water bodies and Unique Cultural Dance of the people called Kinachu. Yet, another potential attraction is the Border Post at Tinjase that serves as point of entry to the Republic of Togo.

Great prospects of boat–crossing and site seeking exist on the Oti at Damanko, which is just 30 minutes drive from the District capital.Unfortunately, there are no hotels, guest/rest houses nor restaurants in the area to support these promising tourist attractions. The nearest hospital facilities are in Nkwanta (35km) away from Kpassa.

Crops and Livestock Production Potentials

Potentials for crops and livestock production are enormous owing to vast stretches of land under very suitable climatic conditions for the following cash crops: cashew, mango jatropha, and for large scale rice and vegetable production.

In food crop production, the district has comparative advantage in the cultivation of several crops including: yam, maize, cassava, groundnut, and soybean. In terms of rice production, the district abounds in suitable vast tracts of land and water bodies for both irrigated and upland rice productions.

With the abundance of water and grasslands the potential for the production of livestock such as cattle, goat, sheep and poultry is enormous.

Beekeeping and grass-cutter production are also potential targets if farmers are given the necessary support by MOFA and NGO’s. The required supports are basically the provision of technical know-how and suitable equipment.

UTILITY SERVICES

Banking and Finance

Presently there is a rural bank and effort are being made to also open a Commercial Bank to service the numerous customers in the area.

6.4.2Water

Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and its partners have been providing the people with boreholes (56 functioning out 80 provided) all these years though inadequate to meet the entire population need. At the moment, the Government of Ghana in partnership with DANIDA and DFID is in the process of rolling out one of the largest small Town Water Supply Systems under the steward of CWSA in the district. The project is expected to benefit all communities along the Kpassa – Damanko Trunk Road.

Electricity

The district can boast of power from the national grid in most communities along the Kpassa – Damanko Trunk Road. However, considering the numerous settlements spread within the district, the current supply is woefully inadequate.

Telecommunications

At the moment, MTN Ghana Limited; the people’s survivor and MILICOM Ghana Limited are providing mobile telephone services in the District

Surface Accessibility

The Nkwanta North District has a total of about 92km totorable  road linking Kpassa( the capital) through  Sibi – to Damanko..

Health

Statistics of Health Institutions existing in the district are as follow:

• Government Hospital (District Hospital)        0
• Health Centre                                                  2
• Reproductive and Child Health Clinic           2
• Mission Clinic                                                 1
• Private Clinic                                                  1
• Community Health Planning Services (CHPS)          3

Services of Trained Traditional Birth Attendants are also available

Markets

The major markets in the district are Kpassa and Damanko. Other minor ones are Sibi, Kabonwuli, Nabu and Tinjase. Kpassa and Damanko markets come off simultaneously on every sixth day. Tinjase market is on every Thursday. That of Nabu and Sibi markets are also on the sixth day. People in the various communities cart their produce by trucks or by head potterage to the marketing centres. Various goods ranging from food crop, fish and livestock are traded in.

MAJOR LOCAL MARKETS

6.4.8 Extension Services

Extension services in the District are improving rapidly with the decentralization of MOFA.  The District has been divided into four (4) beingsupervised by two officers.

1. Kete
2. Abujuro