Data Collection Tools And Good Practices In Ghana

Abstract

Ghana with population of 18.4 million (2000), is located on Latitude 4,44’N 11,11’N and longitude 3,11’W, 1,11’E. The country has a total land area of 23,853,900 HA and agricultural land area of 13,628,179 HA. The agricultural sector is the dominant sector in the Ghanaian economy. The total area under cultivation and irrigation are 5,808,600HA and 11,000 HA respectively. Agriculture is predominantly on a small holder basis although there are few large farms and plantations particular for oil palm, coconut, rubber and to a lesser extent rice, maize, and pineapple. Main crops cultivated are the cereals; maize, rice, millet, sorghum and the starchy crops of cassava, yam, cocoyam and plantain. Fruits and vegetables are increasingly being produced and exported as non traditional exports while cocoa continue to be the traditional export crop. Livestock, Poultry and fisheries are also produced on moderate scale. Main type of livestock are cattle, sheep, goats, pigs. While both marine and inland fishing activities are undertaken in the fishery sub sector. Imports of livestock, fisheries, poultry and their products are very significant.