A survey of browse plants trade in the upper east region of Ghana

摘要

The study was conducted in the Upper-East region of Ghana. The objective of the study was to assess the sources, harvesting and marketing of browse plants, and challenges associated with their harvesting and marketing. Four districts were randomly selected in the region. Three categories of semi-structured questionnaires were separately administered to respondents in sixteen Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) administrative zones (communities) and in four livestock and browse marketing centers in the study area. In all, a total of 200 respondents comprising of 80 small-holder livestock owners, 60 harvesters and 60 marketers of browse plants were interviewed. Six (6) browse species were identified as the common ones utilized by livestock farmers in the area. Gliricidia sepium was identified as the most common and preferred species. Community range lands are the major sources of these browse plants for harvesters and users. Both young and the elderly people of the opposite sex are involved in the harvesting and marketing of browse plants in the area. However, the female population forms the greater proportion (55%) in the harvesting and marketing of browse plants. Indigenous tools such as cutlasses, knifes, axes and sickles are used in the harvesting of browse plants in the area. Harvested plants are preserved by sun-drying, hay and silage preparation. Bush fire and low rainfall were considered as major factors limiting the harvesting and utilization of browse plants in the study area.