In recent years, the country has been facing significant challenges in maize production due to irregular rainfall patterns; with extreme rainfall events being a major contributor to the failure of crops, according to a report by the Statistics Research and Information Directorate (SRID) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).
Maize is a crucial crop, covering over one million hectares and accounting for 50–60 percent of the country’s cereal production. It is cultivated in nearly all regions of the country, with the forest-savannah transition zone being the major growing area – responsible for producing more than 80 percent of the country’s maize.
The SRID report, based on a study conducted in three communities in the Ejura-Sekyedumase municipality (Ejura, Kasei and Anyinasu), highlighted that irregular rainfall along with pests and diseases were the primary factors contributing to maize production failure in 2020. These communities are situated in the Forest–Savannah transition zone of mid-Ghana, experiencing latitudes 7°9 N and 7°36 N and longitudes 1°5 W and 1°39 W.
Martin Yaw Mawuli Hudekpor, the Municipal Agriculture Extension Officer, pointed out that the minor season rains have been increasingly difficult to predict in recent years – leading to challenges in early and late sowing. To mitigate the risks associated with unpredictable rains, Extension Officers advised farmers to consider split-sowing of maize; reducing the chances of total crop failure if the expected rainfall did not occur.
The rainfall data for the municipality indicated variations in total monthly rainfall quantity from 2015 to 2016, with a noticeable decrease in rainfall in 2020 compared to the previous four years.
Another contributing factor to the crop failure, as reported by a male farmer from Ejura, was the invasion of armyworms. The destructive pests significantly impacted young maize plants, especially during dry and warm weather conditions, which were exacerbated in the 2020 minor season due to delayed and insufficient rains.
The failure of maize production has resulted in some farmers adopting different agronomic practices. While some opted for early sowing to take advantage of potential early rains, others preferred late sowing to ensure stable rainfall before planting.
Maize grain is not only a major staple for many households but also serves as a crucial ingredient for poultry feed and is an important industrial commodity in Ghana. The recurrent crop failures due to rainfall variability have raised concerns about farmers’ livelihoods, potential poverty risks, and increased nationwide food insecurity.
Efforts to address these challenges are ongoing, with stakeholders in the agriculture sector seeking ways to mitigate the impact of irregular rainfall patterns and pests on maize production, to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Ghana.
