Title: Sustainable land management in the Upper West Region of Ghana: a forgotten solution to land degradation, communication failure or a non-priority option?

Abstract

Technology adoption in agriculture is key to improving the general well-being of small holder crop farmers, against the background of soil erosion and land degradation in most parts of Ghana. This study assessed the level of adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices among farmers in the Upper West Region of Ghana, constraints associated with the adoption of SLM practices as well as the socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of SLM practices. The role of research and community radios in disseminating SLM practices to farmers was also investigated.

The study found low adoption of SLM practices among farmers in the Upper West region of Ghana. Land tenure, the drudgery associated with SLM practices, inadequate funds, low quantity of crop residue, bush burning and the time consuming nature of SLM practices were found to be the constraints associated with the adoption of SLM practices. 

Whereas educational status of respondents was found to positively influence the number of SLM practices farmers adopted, listening to agricultural programmes on radio negatively influenced the number of SLM practices farmers adopted.

Research Institutions and Community Radio Stations were found to be involved in communicating SLM practices to farmers through field demonstrations and radio broadcasts.

The study recommends that SLM practices should be practiced with very simple farm mechanized tools. This calls for governmental support as well as that of local authorities to help farmers acquire such farm machinery in the form of high purchase and subsidies. Also, universal primary education should be fully implemented since education is key to securing sustainable development. Research Institutions should focus on high impact-driven field demonstrations on SLM practices. The right expertise for disseminating SLM techniques via radio broadcast should also be encouraged by radio stations.