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BACKGROUND |
The Upper West Region is located at the North Western corner of Ghana. It is bordered to the South and South East by Northern Region to the North east by Upper East and to the North and North West by the Republic of Burkina Faso.
The Region covers a geographical area of 18,476 sq. km. which constitutes 12.7% of the total land area of Ghana.
The Population and Housing Census of 2000 gave the population of the Region as 576,583 projected to 638,498 (2006) representing 3% of the National Population. The average density is 34 person sq. km. This is far below the national average of 77 person / sq. km. |
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The main ethnic groups comprise the following: Dagaaba, Wala and Sissala.
There are other minority ethnic groups: Vagala: Lobi, Kasena, Chakali etc. |
Map of Upper West Region |
The long interaction and intermarriages between the various ethnic groups has forged peaceful co-existence among the people of the Region.
The Upper West Region has been divided into 8 administrative Districts with the creation of 3 more new Districts. There are 10 constituencies. |
VEGETATION, SOILS AND CLIMATE |
RELIEF
The Upper West Region has both high and lowland areas with well drained lands. There a re a number of water bodies that flow through the region. The two major rivers are the Black Volta River and the Kulkpong river which flow along the western and eastern ends of the region respectively.
VEGETATION
The region has predominantly, a guinea savanna vegetation running across all the sections. This comprises of a combination of tall grasses and scattered trees. Some of the common trees found in the region are sheatree, dawadawa, baobab and blackberry trees.
SOILS
There is abundance of fertile soils for agricultural production. However, these soils differ from place to place with loamy, gravelly to sandy loam soils.
RAINFALL
The region has an annual mean rainfall of about 900-1100mm which occurs between April and September. It is also uni-modal. The average annual temperature ranges from 280Cto 380C minimum and maximum respectively. |
LIVESTOCK |
Livestock production is practiced mostly in the traditional way of free-range grazing and feeding. With the introduction improved animal production practices, farmers have generally adopted a different approach to animal rearing which is yielding a good result. The various species include: cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and pigs. The environment is also very conducive for all the aspects of livestock rearing. |
CROP PRODUCTION |
The Upper West Region has very high agricultural potentials. It is also a predominantly agricultural region with about 86% of its population having farming as their occupation.
The major crops produced in the region are, sorghum, millet, maize, rice, yam, groundnuts and cowpea. Other minor crops are sweet potato, bambara beans and cassava.
The cultivation of soyabeans as a cash crop has recently picked up with a high production potential. The Kapaala production is being promoted by Guinness Ghana Ltd. Other tree crops such as cashew and mango are being cultivated by a large number of farmers as cash crops.
The major industrial crops are sheanuts, cotton and cashew. Vegetable production occurs throughout the cropping season. The major vegetables cultivated in the region include okra, pepper, tomatoes, and leafy vegetables. Non-traditional export crops include yam, cotton and cashew. |
FISH PRODUCTION |
Inland fishing is practiced in the region along major streams, dams, dug-outs and the Black Volta.
Fish farming is also recently being introduced in the region to promote higher fish production. |
PROJECTS |
The Upper West Region has benefited from a number of interventions in the form of projects over the years to help improve on its agricultural production. Some of the interventions currently in operation include the following:
- The Livestock Development Project (LDP) with the objective of introducing improved livestock production technologies such as breed improvement, rangeland development, fodder establishment and banking as well as providing credit for livestock activities. it is operational in seven Districts, Namely; Wa municipal, Wa East, Wa West, Sissala East, Sissala West, Jirapa and Lambussie- Karni Districts.
- Establishment of milk processing facility.
- The cashew Development project which is operating in 2 districts (Nadowli and Jirapa) as a pilot project with the objective to increase yield and expand export of the crop. In terms of value addition, the objective is to build capacity and improve technological know-how on cashew processing.
- Land and water management project
The objective is to develop an agricultural system that improves crop yield and production through long-term sustainable management and conservation of soils and natural resources based on the Participatory Technology Development (PTD) approach. This is operated in Lawra, Jirapa and Lambussie- Karni districts.
- FAO support to dry season farming
Following the draught and floods in 2007 the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) supported the region with various production items to intensify dry season farming. The items include the following;
Honda water pumps – 182
PVC Pipes- -2000
Fertilizer -15-15-15 -540 bags
Foliar fertilizer - 36 bags
Assorted Vegetable seeds (okra, tomato, onion, pepper,)
These items were distributed to farmers in all Districts.
- Weather forecasting training.
The training program is on-going and is aimed at building the capacity of MOFA staff to effectively measure and analyze weather parameters such as temperature. Humidity, pressure and rainfall. This would enable them to better predict the weather situation and to be able to advice farmers appropriately. Some equipment such as rain gauges and weather forecasters have been distributed to all districts for the purpose.
- Study on Upper West Integrated Agricultural Development project (UWIAD).
The study is on-going and is being conducted by JICA with the purpose of achieving the following:
- To formulate a Master Plan, consists of guidelines for the development and dissemination of agricultural technologies, and proposals for Agricultural development projects,
- To enhance the capacity of Ghanaian partner organizations and community-based organizations
Some pilot Development Activities (PDAs) are being implemented alongside the study on a pilot basis in 4 districts; namely Nadowli, Lawra, Jirapa and Lambussie. |
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