A study of marketing system of crop produce in Dangme West District Greater Accra Region of Ghana
Loading...
Date
1991-09-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The marketing system is an essential link after the production process to accomplish the distribution of what is produced so that it reaches the consumer. Once the marketing system is impaired, sooner or later production suffers.
Dangme West District economy is based mainly on agricultural crop production. The marketing of these crops has significant importance. This study investigated the crop marketing system performance in the district. A household survey was conducted in the district. In addition observations were made in markets at Dodowa, Old Ningo and Asutsuare. The observations were supplemented by the market survey information obtained from an earlier survey conducted by SPRING Program Participants.
A number of problems were identified as making the crop marketing system in the district ineffective and inefficient. These included: inadequate storage facilities, lack of processing facilities, inadequate motor fleet, high cost of transportation; poor condition of feeder roads, poor pricing system, lack of physical markets, lack of farmers organization and lack of market information on the part of farmers.
The cumulative effect of these problems is low crop production and productivity, leading to falling farmers’ incomes, and ultimately to falling standards of living of farmers.
In order to solve the problems afflicting the crop marketing system in the district, a strategy has been formulated and recommended.
The strategy aims at organizing farmers into a farmers’ association so that farmers collectively articulate their interests and defend them. In addition, the strategy aims at the rehabilitation of the feeder roads in the district making reform of land utilization in the district, improvement of storage facilities and rehabilitation of physical markets.
It is expected that the implementation of the strategy will improve the performance of the crop marketing system in the district. The improvement of the marketing system will act as catalyst for increased production and productivity, leading to increased farmers’ incomes, hence better living standards for the farmers in the district.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Development Planning and Management, 1991