Assessment of Postharvest Practices of Groundnuts in Northern Ghana Based on the Participatory Rural Appraisal Technique

Abstract

A postharvest evaluation study of groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) was undertaken in a total of thirty (30) districts selected from the three Northern Regions of Ghana, namely, Upper West, Upper East and Northern, by employing the Participatory Rural Appraisal (P.R.A.) procedure. Ten (10) randomly selected, predominant groundnut growing districts were sampled in each case; interviews and focal group discussions were held which involved 600 individual key informants in all, 20 from each district/community and thirty (30) focal group discussions. Interviews were conducted using both open and close-ended questionnaires. The main aim of the research was to solicit general information on the postharvest activities and marketing of groundnuts as it pertains in Northern Ghana. The Statistical Package for the Social Scientists (SPSS version 17.0) and Microsoft Excel were used to analyze data obtained from the questionnaire; Results were summarized into means, using standard error, and percentages, where necessary. The association between storage structures and duration of groundnuts in storage was tested by the Chi-Square statistic method. Results obtained from the study shows that ‘China’ local groundnut variety was the most cultivated (76.5%, 99.5%, 96.5%) in all three regions (N/R, U/E and U/W respectively). Reason for choice of variety was high yielding (73.33%) and ease of harvesting and drought tolerance (32.67%). Most efficient Storage structure of groundnut was Jute sack (93%). Average length of storage was 5-6 months (74.45%). Most common storage pests were Grain weevils (57; 9.50%) and Cercospora Spp. (28; 4.67%). Most common storage diseases were Aflatoxin (78; 13%) and Aspegillus Spp. (21; 3.50%). Improvement of the storage structures has a higher likelihood of increasing the duration of groundnut in storage. The major end use of groundnut according to the study was groundnut paste (50%). Groundnuts have ready market (489; 81.50%) according to farmers. Relay of information was mostly by colleague farmers (39.33%) and MoFA (31.33%), NGOs (13.83%). The scale of measurement used was common for bowls and 100 kg bag. Average market price of a 100 kg bag and a bowl were Ghs136.55%, Ghs3.43 respectively.