ABSTRACT
Hibiscus cannabinus L., commonly called
Roselle, is an important vegetable among subsistence farming households
especially in most developing countries. Never the less, the productivity of
maize and Roselle under intercropping arrangements is not well known. The research work on effects of intercropping and cropping systems on post harvest
quality of maize and Roselle was done to determine the agronomic performance of
the intercrop systems, post- harvest quality and also profitability of the
intercrop arrangements. The study showed that sole maize and sole Roselle
produced the highest yields per hectare compared with the intercrop systems.
Within the intercrop systems, 2:2 intercrop arrangements also produced the
highest grain yield of maize and Roselle leaf yield (1685.4kg and 16981.3kg/ha
respectively). The least yield was produced by 1:2 of both maize and Roselle.
However, the combine effect of intercropping maize and Roselle in two rows of
maize and two rows of Roselle produced the highest yield and accrued profits.
The least was produced by 1:2 intercrop arrangements. All the intercrop system
or arrangements save significant proportion of land that otherwise will be
needed by a mono cropping pattern to yield the same results. However, one
row of maize and two rows of Roselle (1:2)
arrangements do not save land and therefore it is not economically prudent to
embark on 1:2 arrangements of maize and Roselle in the intercrop system.
Monitoring of Roselle fresh leaf shelf life showed that by day two, Roselle
leaves shrivel and takes three days for the leaves to completely change colour
from the original green. The study also revealed that Ca, Zn, Pb, Cu, N, P, PH,
TSS, TTA percentages in Roselle leaves are independent of any of the plant
arrangements. However, the intercrop system has effects on Mg concentration in
Roselle leaves. Two rows of maize and two rows of Roselle (2:2)
arrangements contain the least percentage of Mg whiles one row of maize and one
row of Roselle (1:1)
arrangement had the highest Mg levels accumulated in the leaves.
The percentage concentration of
crude protein and carbohydrates are very high in Roselle leaves within the
intercrop arrangement than sole cropping. However, increasing the number of
rows of Roselle and reducing the number of rows of maize reduces the crude fat
concentration in Roselle leaves but reducing the number of rows of Roselle and
increasing the number of rows of maize results in increase in crude fibre
content in the leaves of Roselle. These findings will be very useful especially
to farmers.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Intercropping refers to the
growing of more than one crop in a particular field at the same time to enhance
their interaction in order to improve productivity so as to avoid over
dependence on one crop (Wolfswinkel, 2006). The main purpose of intercropping
is to provide optimun harvest within a given parcel of land taking into consideration
efficient use of resources that would not
be possible under sole cropping
(Ouma et al., 2010). According to Ouma et al. (2010), various
intercrop patterns have been identified to include strip intercropping, row
intercropping, mixed intercropping and relay intercropping which refers to
planting a second crop amongst the first growing crop which is in its
reproductive stage but before harvesting.
The benefits of intercropping systems are enormous. According to Pawan et al. (2012) intercropping of compatible
plants encourages biodiversity.
Biodiversity in the intercrop system means more benefits
resulting in risk spreading and limiting out breaks of crop pest. Intercropping
system also results in improved and diversified crop yield, increased available
fodder and organic manure, enhanced soil fertility, soil cover, pest and
disease control, weed control, physical support in
the case of maize and climbing beans, and micro climate amelioration
(Wolfswinkel, 2006). Intercropping improves food and income security and
ultimately contribute towards reducing poverty and starvation among households.
Maize (Zea mays) belongs to Poaceae family and the
tribe Andropogoneae
and originates from south-eastern Mexico. Maize is described
as an annual crop as it grows to complete its life cycle within one season and
it is grown almost everywhere in the world (Winter, 2009).There are about fifty
(50) varieties of maize that exist with many colours ranging from e.g. black in
the range o white to yellow (http://www.iita.org/maize, 2014).
Maize is a cereal crop of immense importance to the economy of every nation. FAO, (2009) reported
that the largest producer of maize is the United States representing 42% and
the production of maize in the world is about 785 million tons. The report
further stated that 6.5% of the maize is produced in Africa with Nigeria being
the largest producer - nearly 8 million tons. Second to Nigeria is South
Africa. Indeed, 28% of maize required by Africa is imported. The production of
maize is mainly rain fed in Africa and erratic rain fall can cause famines,
food insecurity, family conflicts, slow down national development of a country
especially during droughts (http://www.iita.org/maize,
2014).
The most widely cereal crop
cultivated and consumed in Ghana is Maize (FASDEP II, 2007). The production of
maize is 50%-60% of the total volume of cereals produced in the country (FASDEP
II, 2007). The production of maize ranks second to cocoa. Other crops such as
cassava, yam, oil palm, groundnut, plantain, sorghum, cocoyam, cowpea, and
other pulses come after maize (http//www.dtma.cimmyt.org, 2014).
The production of maize in Ghana has not changed with
regards to yield and hectares cultivated due partly to the dependence of low
adoption of improved farming practices. In Ghana, the total hectares of maize
cultivated is about one million hectares (1000000ha) and the average yield per
hectare is 1.74 metric tons (MT) per hectare and the total volume of maize
produced in the country is 1.65 million MT per annum (http://www.iita.org/maize, 2014).
Maize grains are said to be rich in nutrients. According to
IITA, (2009) report, the nutritional composition of maize includes
carbohydrates for energy, minerals, vitamins (Vit. A, C, and E) and 9% protein.
Dietary fibre and calories are also present in maize. Ensminger, (1994)
reported that maize provides a good source of starch. The popular
use of corn starch (maize flour) is for domestic cooking and other food
products. Cooking oil and gluten are also obtained from Maize.
The report further stated that
maize starch can be enzymatically treated and hydrolyzed to produce
syrups, especially high-fructose corn syrup, and
a sweetener. Alcohol - a traditional beverage is also obtained from maize
grains.
According to Boateng et al,
(1990) revenue obtained from crop sales is about 16.8% in Ghana and the
revenues obtained by ultra-poor people from crop sales is 8.5%. Indeed, maize
production and marketing creates job opportunities for the youth especially
women. Its job opportunities are in the areas of production, processing,
transportation, storage and marketing. It is one of the major areas of research
partly due to its immense contribution to the Gross Domestic products of Ghana
(FASDEP II, 2007).
Roselle (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a prominent
vegetable crop grown in the tropics. Roselle crop belongs to the family
Malvaceae (Bahaeldeen, 2012). Roselle is mainly produced by small holder
farmers in localised growing conditions, depending on rainfall and natural soil
fertility without using inorganic chemicals. A small portion of the crop
produced is used locally whiles the larger portion of it is exported to China
(Ahmed et al., 2012). Roselle popularly called kenaf is commonly
cultivated locally in a mixture with cereals and legumes especially in the
Guinea savannah ecological zones. However, the intercrop systems have not been
well studied (Babatunde, 2000).
The economic importance of Roselle cannot be over emphasized.
Vegetative parts of Roselle (young shoots, leaves and calyxes) are used to
prepare vegetable soup and also as vegetable sauce. Dried calyxes of Roselle
are also used to prepare sugaring colour tea. Beverages such as syrup, jams and
jellies are prepared from the calyx. Roselle succulent leaves and shoots are
consumed raw after they are well washed. The calyces of Roselle are also a good
source of fodder for livestock feeding in
Africa. The seed of Roselle contains oil which is used in soap making and
cosmetic (Mehdi et al., 2013). In addition, oil extracted from the seed is used
for making paint and for domestic food preparation. Again, Roselle seeds are
used to prepare various dices in some villages (Bahaeldeen, 2012). The calyxes,
leaves and young shoots have been known to have high medicinal and nutritional
value (Bahaeldeen, 2012). Roselle provides income to the rural poor and
therefore contributes to reducing food and income insecurity. Pau (2002)
reported that Roselle is of increases the production of nitric oxide in the
body and reduces blood pressure through oxidizing lipids.
1.1 PROBLEM
STATEMENT
In Ghana, the majority of the
people are food insecure, with the highest densities of such people living in
the three northern regions (WFP, 2010). Ghana is said to have 1.2 million
people suffering from food insecurity. Upper west is the most suffering with
about 34% of the populace in the region engulfed in food insecurity. Upper east
ranks second with about 15% of the populace suffering whiles 10% of the
population in Northern region are not left out. This approximately amounts to
453,000 people (WFP, 2009).
As part of the research work done by Africa Rising Project
under the auspices of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA),
the 2013 technical report revealed that agriculture is rain fed and predominant
by small scale crop farmers in all the communities in Northern Ghana. The
dominant cultivated cereal crop in Northern Ghana is maize, sorghum, rice and
millet. The cereal crops are usually cultivated as a single crop in pure stand
and sometimes mixed cropped with grain legumes and vegetables. Vegetables
(Roselle, pepper and okra) in particular are considered as women‟s crop and are
therefore usually planted as a boundary crop at the periphery of farms (Hoeschle-Zeledon, 2013). Crop
yields are therefore low as a result of erratic rainfall, poor agronomic
practices (particularly failing to achieve required plant density), low soil
fertility, drought, poor access to improved seeds, diseases and pests (Striga
hermonthica). Inadequate knowledge in intercropping options and low
technological drive highly contribute to low yields (Hoeschle-Zeledon, 2013).
This problem is also highlighted by Quaye (2008) who added that agricultural
land is becoming scarce due to the burgeoning population. There is
therefore high competing demand for land for crop cultivation and other
infrastructural development.
Whiles crop yields keep
dwindling, huge quantities of grains and vegetables go down the drain as
post-harvest losses each year increasing the hunger gap situation in sub-Sahara
Africa. Hence farm inputs such as fertilizers, water, labour and other
resources being wasted and reducing the profit margin of crop production
(Niculescu Et al., 2013). The causes of postharvest losses are enormous. These
include; inappropriate harvesting methods, handling procedures, drying
techniques, filth or contamination, attacks by rodents, birds and other animals
and pests such as insect damage and infestation by food-borne pathogens (World
Bank/NRI/FAO, 2011). The post-harvest losses of fruits, vegetables, roots and
tubers are very high and ranges between 20-50%. The losses in cereals and
legumes is moderately high ranging from 20% - 30%. This is due to poor
production and harvesting techniques and partly due to poor transportation and
lack of adequate storage and packaging facilities. This makes most farmers to
sell their produce in the open markets immediately after harvesting at low
prices but only to re-buy them at a higher cost during the lean season for
consumption. (FASDEP II, 2007).
The
nutritional status of most farm households in the Northern region is generally
low, particularly for pregnant women, breast feeding mothers and young children
and the old aged people as a result of low yields and high postharvest losses
in relation to balancing their diet (Hoeschle-Zeledon, 2013). The situation is
worst during the lean season when there is scarcity of food. Profit margins are
also low as crop population densities are not met coupled with over reliance on
sole cropping which predispose farmers to investment losses. Based on the
existing production challenges, it is most appropriate to redefine and design
cropping technologies that are required to combat low yields and postharvest
quality problems using intercropping innovation.
1.2 JUSTIFICATION
Food security is a treat in the African environment.
According to GRACE Communications Foundation (2014), food security is described
as the existence of good quality food which meets the needs of all people at
all the times for a better life. The food must necessary be available,
accessible and able to be utilised. Agriculture therefore forms the bases for
tackling and meeting households‟ food security needs. In Northern Ghana, the
majority of households (88%) solely depends on crop cultivation as their main
livelihood activity and about 95% of the households harvest one or more crops
annually (WFP, 2012 and FASDEP II, 2007).
In the Northern region, the most widely cultivated crop is
maize which is commonly consumed. The staple food in Northern Ghana is the
Tuozaafi (TZ) commonly eaten with vegetable sauce. Vegetables, particularly Roselle,
have multipurpose uses which includes its medicinal importance. Yields of
vegetables, cereals and legumes are however low and post-harvest losses are high
making households prone to severe hunger and starvation. It is particularly
difficult to store fresh vegetables for use during the dry and lean seasons
when hunger is severe. The nutritional contents of dry vegetables remains
uncertain as postharvest handling have a role to play (Hoeschle-Zeledon, 2013).
As yields of crops are low and
nutritional demands of families are threatened, farmers have over the years
adopted copying strategies during the lean season. Some household members
migrate to southern Ghana in search of jobs („‟Kayayo‟‟). They also migrate to
solicit support from relatives and friends outside the regions. Food insecurity
can result in the sale of livestock and other valuable assets. This can also
lead to reduction in the quantity of food intake (Quaye, 2008). Overcoming
malnutrition requires a combination of interventions in different areas that
guarantee the availability of and access to quality food for growth and
development (FAO, 2013). Economic growth is supported with innovations.
Investing in research and development especially in agriculture is one sure way
that will speed up economic growth (FAO, 2014).
Intercropping systems can therefore be used to avoid total
losses of single cropping pattern in order to ensuring food security
(Wolfswinkel, 2006). The intercropping systems have to be well studied to
provide the best intercrop arrangements for optimal yield and good post harvest
qualities (Babatunde, 2000).
It is therefore envisaged that
maize and Roselle (kenaf) intercropping systems will give various intercropping
options that will address yields, postharvest qualities and profitability
thereby reducing hunger and malnutrition of rural poor in Northern Region.
The main objective
of the study was to ascertain the effect of intercropping and cropping systems
on postharvest quality of maize and Roselle.
1.4.1 Specific
Objectives
• To
determine the effects of different plant arrangement on agronomic performance
of maize and Roselle inter-crops.
• To
determine the effect of plant arrangement on the postharvest quality of maize
and Roselle intercrop.
• To
carry out cost-benefit analysis on various cropping systems.
For more Horticulture Projects Click here
===================================================================Item Type: Ghanaian Topic | Size: 85 pages | Chapters: 1-5
Format: MS Word | Delivery: Within 30Mins.
===================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.