General

As the largest contributor to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for over 50% of GDP, agriculture is essential for the country’s overall economic development. In addition, it generates roughly 60% of export revenue. It economically supports 80% of the people, whether directly or indirectly, through farming, the sale of farm goods, and other services to the agricultural industry (MOFA, 1991). Irrigation is a crucial component required for the modernization of agriculture in Ghana. Unfortunately, the overall area under irrigation as of 1996 was expected to be only 11,000 hectares, or 0.26% of the total area under cultivation (Sant’ Anna, 1997). Memuna and Cofie (2005) state that this has been little change. This supports the reality that, despite higher yields and twice-yearly cropping on specific irrigated schemes, agriculture is primarily rainfed and subject to the whims of the weather and climatic changes. Smallholder farmers, i.e. owners of farm plots less than two hectors, according to Nagayets (2005), are the custodians of  85% of all farms worldwide, accounting for 50% and 75% of the world’s hungry people worldwide and in Africa, respectively (Sanchez and Swaminathan 2005). However, agricultural output and smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in Africa are severely hampered by various difficulties that exacerbate food security, such as climatic changes, disease and pest invasions, post-harvest losses, market shocks, and a lack of capital/credit, among others (Morton 2007).  Climate change is expected to intensify the predicament of smallholder farmers, according to new research, which predicts that even minor temperature rises will severely impact the output of major cereal crops grown by smallholder farmers, such as maize, rice, and wheat (Morton 2007). Moreover, tropical nations, such as those in Africa, with already large populations of impoverished and smallholder farmers, are projected to be the hardest hit by the effects of climate change (Hertel and Rosch 2010).  For instance, Ghana, a country with a land size of 238,540 km² (92,101 mi²) and a total coastline of 539 km (334.9 mi²), is enriched with lots of resources (human capital, land and minerals). It is primarily an agricultural nation, with the vast majority of its citizens working in agriculture either directly or indirectly.  Ghana has reasonably decent and necessary resources for the growth of agriculture, biodiversity, water resources, minerals, etc. Still, it nevertheless struggles with complex poverty that is widespread, deep, and systemic. This can be attributed to the fact that, like many “smaller” countries around the world, smallholder family farms that are predominately rainfed and hence climate-sensitive make up the majority of the agriculture industry in Ghana (Nyantakyi-Frimpong & Bezner-Kerr, 2015); Stanturf et al., 2011).  According to the harvest area, cassava, maize, groundnuts, and sorghum are a few of the nation’s top agricultural products (Choudhary & D’Alessandro, 2015). This calls into sharp focus the need to assess the impact of climatic changes on our agriculture and explore further “irrigation farming” instead of the “rainfed” agriculture in Ghana.  To develop resilience, one must comprehend the threat climate change poses to Ghana’s agricultural industry. Precipitation that is unpredictable and changeable, rising temperatures, and prolonged dry spells are only a few effects of climate change on Ghanaian agriculture.  In some places, especially in the Northern regions of Ghana, where 80% of the indigenes are mainly farmers (Ghana Statistical Service 2013), research has found that delays in the start of the rainy season, severe droughts and climatic variability have significant implications on agriculture. Thus, in general, and for some time now, in Ghana, rainfall patterns have been unpredictable and unevenly distributed throughout the seasons.  As a result, agroecology regions have poor yields, low productivity, food insecurity, and poverty in the farming community. This highlights the need to transition from manual, rainfed, supply-driven, and production-oriented agriculture to mechanized, irrigated, market-oriented agriculture that is technology-heavy. Thus far, Rainfed Agriculture denotes a farming system that relies on rainfall for water. This has been the most widely used farming method worldwide, especially in the “poorer” nations. Although the importance of rainfed agriculture varies by area, it provides most of the food for underprivileged populations in developing countries.  For example, more than 95% of the agricultural land in sub-Saharan Africa is rainfed, compared to over 90% in Latin America, 60% in South Asia, 65% in East Asia, and 75% in the Near East and North Africa (Meenakshi., 2020). In Ghana, and especially in the Northern Zones, where the poverty level is three times their Southern counterparts, rainfed agriculture serves as a survival mechanism rather than a growth-oriented activity.  Moving on, the following features are characteristic of rainfed agricultural areas in the semi-arid, arid and sub-humid agro-ecological zones: Certainly, rainfed agriculture will continue to be the only food source for some regions of the world and some parts of Ghana. Such a farming system is faced with numerous restrictions created by the wide variety in climate, soils, relief, and geography, as well as by anthropogenic changes.  Rainfed areas also need to contend with several grave hazards. Today, most rainfed areas are farmed utilizing outdated, traditional, and undeveloped methods for managing soil and crops, according to Rashid et al. (2004). The main obstacles are soil erosion, credit shortage, moisture stress and uncertainty, and nutrient depletion.  Consequently, agriculture in rainfed areas continues to be high risk and low input for farmers with little resources due to the unpredictable nature of the weather. Low yields in certain places could be ascribed to lousy crop management techniques, inadequate and unbalanced fertilization, and low seed quality. In addition, excessive runoff, outdated and traditional land and water management methods, and fragmented property holdings may cause low water use efficiency.  Therefore, crop yields are far below their demonstrated possible potential. Also, improper soil conservation practices can negatively impact the productivity of land resources, e.g. excessive cultivation on steep slopes, short fallow periods, cultivation in vulnerable areas, shallow tillage, uneven fertilizer use, and illogical irrigation practices (Irshad et al., 2007). On the contrary, and in light of sustainability and sustainable farming, the focus has been shifted to the use of technology and practices that

According to Britannica (2022), industrialization in history refers to the process of change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. These technological changes introduced novel ways of working and living and fundamentally transformed society.  This process started in 18th-century Britain. From there, in it began to spread slowly worldwide. The question then begs, what made Great Britain unique enough to be the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution?  According to historians, several variables came together in Britain in the middle of the 18th century to create the ideal conditions for industry development (Study.com 2022). The following is an examination of a few of the variables above:  • Agricultural innovations: British farmers effectively used new agricultural methods and equipment to boost their output. Even enough food could be grown by fewer individuals to feed a sizable labour force. • Boom in population: Between 1750 and 1800, the population of Britain doubled. More people in the country could work in industries and buy made items. • Economic advancements: Britain had created a financial system, including a stock market and banks that could handle surges in economic activity. • New ideas and a scientific perspective: The British were explorers who valued scientific discovery and human growth. They were continuously learning new things about the way the world operated. • Foundations for transportation: Britain had several navigable rivers, good highways, and canals that could move goods from manufacturers to consumers and raw materials to factories. • Natural resources: Britain’s substantial coal and iron reserves provided the electricity needed to run new enterprises. • A willing government: The British government supported industry, promoted trade, granted patents to protect inventors, provided financial incentives to manufacturers, and maintained a laissez-faire attitude, well-liked by businesspeople. • Multiple colonies: It’s a touchy subject but having multiple colonies that were part of a commerce network provided raw supplies and a market for completed goods. Even though it took decades for the Industrial Revolution to spread, it was revolutionary because it fundamentally altered Europeans, their society, and their interactions with other people. Mass migrations from rural areas to metropolitan areas, where impersonal coexistence replaced the typical intimacy of rural life, were facilitated by the creation of massive enterprises. Higher productivity levels prompted a search for new raw material sources, altered consumer behaviour, and a revolution in transportation that made it possible to transport goods quickly across the globe.  As a result, traditional social ties underwent a significant transformation due to the development of an enormous industrial working class (or proletariat) and a prosperous industrial middle class in motion.  The change set in motion by industrialization ushered Europe, the United States of America and much of the world into the modern era. Several years on, some parts of the world, especially those from sub-Saharan Africa, appeared (appears?) to be lagging in terms of “development”. Yet, contrary to common belief, African manufacturing flourished at the turn of the 20th century, especially in the 1920s, while the continent was still a part of the British Empire.  Sub-Saharan Africa’s industrialization process took place in two stages:  1. the first stage, which was very early and stimulated by colonial people, began around the 1920s and ended in the late 1940s; and 2. the second stage started in the late 1950s and gained momentum in the 1960s when import substitution was widely used.  During this period, Tanzania, Zambia, and Nigeria started putting import substitution into practice on a large scale in the first half of the 1960s. Later, this strategy was put into practice, among other nations, like Ghana and Madagascar.  Until the 1980s, import substitution was observed in other Sub-Saharan countries. Industrialization in the latter period, like in Latin America, was a politically driven tactic to combat underdevelopment.  The Sub-Saharan region’s import substitution process followed the dynamic type of any import substitution process. A structural adjustment policy strongly disapproved of the industrialization system for the area. Due to this, that strategy lasted only until the second half of the eighties.  How that process occurred in African countries and why it was unsuccessful are still unknown. Take, for instance, Ghana after Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana’s first president adopted a policy of government-sponsored economic expansion. Later, many of his ambitious projects came crashing down as cocoa revenues, his primary source of foreign currency, plummeted along with the decline in global prices (Efam 2013). Several years on, and after several political turmoil and gimmicks, many strive to return to the “old glory”, which is now more than ever heightened (Agbozo et al., 2019).  See, for instance, the constant revamping of Ghana’s famous Komenda Sugar Factory. However, the most popular and somewhat ambitious import substitution via industrialization in recent times is the “One District One Factory” championed by the current Akufo-Addo lead Government.  The President of Ghana launched the One District One Factory (1D1F) project in 2017 to shift the country’s economy from one that is reliant on the sale of raw materials and the import of completed goods to one that is centred on manufacturing, value addition, and the export of processed goods.  As a result, critical raw materials that would have otherwise gone to waste are frequently located in areas with potential for manufacturing. Devoid of all the political gimmicks, the “One district One Factory” in principle has the following core principles: • Companies involved in the programme are private, government-supported businesses rather than state enterprises; • Companies that match the 1D1F requirements may be either new or established companies; • If several developers are interested in a specific location, there may be more than one enterprise in that district in Ghana; • In some circumstances, the government may enter into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with a strategic investor through the District Assembly; and • The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and District Assemblies, coordinates and administers the 1D1F project. Thus, according to John (2019), when all is set and done, the aim or the objective 1D1F initiative is; • To

Soy, often known as soja or soya bean, is the most popular plant-based protein source. It is also one of the most plentiful and inexpensive protein sources. Soya has become an essential part of daily life for people and animals in many parts of the world.  All the above stated, alongside the fact that it is one of the most traded goods on the planet, is why Soya is called the “the king of beans.” In terms of volume, soybeans and its by-products account for more than 10 per cent of global agricultural commerce.  It is in many foods and other non-edibles, like cooking oil, milk, soy oil and other food products. Soya also has industrial uses like its role in the making of some biodiesel.  Secondly, only to palm oil, soybean oil is the most extensively used cooking oil in the world. Studies show that the “king of beans” is an essential export item for several countries.  According to the 2020 global market study of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), 150.1 million metric tons of soybeans worth $58 billion were shipped in 2017. It was also estimated that the sector’s overall (retail) market value was around $146 billion. Despite all these, less than one per cent of the world’s soy was grown in Africa. In the 1850s, soybeans were brought to Africa, and in 1858, they were first grown in Egypt. Today, 47 of Africa’s 54 nations cultivate soybeans. Since 2020, the soy market in Africa has increased significantly. In general, consumption has increased.  As a result, production has reached its peak and is expected to grow. Togo, Ethiopia, and Malawi were Africa’s top three exporters of soybeans, accounting for about 60% of total exports in Africa. The remaining circa 40% was contributed by Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and others.  Let’s take Uganda as an example. Uganda is becoming an ever more important source of soybeans for the continent. Since 1990, Uganda’s Agricultural Research Institute has been researching and making new soybean varieties to meet Ugandan farmers’ needs. This aids Uganda’s economy, contributes more than $45 million a year, and grows about 23,000 metric tons of soybeans yearly. The country has also invested in facilities that turn raw soybeans into products such as soybean oil, soy cake, and animal feed. Potentials within exports and profits are declining, which may be traced back to the many difficulties plaguing Africa’s agricultural sector. Some of them are lousy infrastructure, lack of financial capital for farmers, bad marketing, inadequate technology, high manual labour within our farming models, low sector investment, the majority of farmers being smallholders, losses after the harvest, not having a guaranteed market, and crop diseases, etc.  Soya Bean’s nutritional and health advantages are well known, but the economic benefits to local farmers and consumers are just as significant. It opens up prospects for employment and financial gain throughout the nation and reduces poverty; this is very practical for farmers. Given that this crop has a lot of economic potentials and helps in many ways, it is essential for our governments, in particular, to help solve these problems so that African countries can get the most out of the crop. Africa has been noted as an excellent place for soy, and there are signs that the market is already growing. Governments must look into and fix the problem of not having a secured soybean market. If the country had a guaranteed need, it would go much better. Production and income would go up, and many new jobs would be created. So, if governments want to solve this problem, they must emphasise working with private sector actors at home and abroad. Mature soybeans may be a source of income, but that’s not all they’re good for. They have numerous health benefits as well: 1. Its high fibre content reduces the risk of colon cancer by promoting regular bowel movements and better digestive health. 2. Its minimal carb content and very low glycaemic index make it a beneficial nutritional addition for people with diabetes. 3. The high levels of copper and iron in soybeans help build red blood cells, lowering the risk of anaemia and increase oxygen delivery to cells to fuel the body’s metabolism. 4. Soybean, when consumed in small amounts, has appetite-suppressing qualities and may facilitate weight reduction. Moreover, its high protein content makes it an oil seed that may aid in mass growth. Because of this, it may help in the control of excess weight. 5. It regulates metabolic processes that enhance the quality and length of sleep because of its high magnesium concentration. 6. Glycaemic control and management in Type 2 diabetes are aided by soybean since it helps enhance the body’s function of insulin receptors. 7. Vitamins and minerals are full of bone- and immune-boosting zinc, magnesium, copper, and selenium. In addition, folate, Vitamin K, Molybdenum, Phosphorus, and Thiamine may all be found in soya. 8. Soybean’s high polyunsaturated fat content helps improve cardiovascular health and lowers the risk of cardiovascular events like strokes and heart attacks. 9. The United Soybean Board and the Soy Nutritional Institute of California are funding new research into its anti-wrinkle effects. 10. Eating soybeans may help your brain’s health since they increase blood flow. 11. It may also aid with menopausal discomfort. Producing soybeans successfully in Africa requires a country to adopt strategies with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) measures at its core, work towards utilising Sustainability Development Models to bring forth equitable and sustainable results, capitalise on the continental infrastructure and build relevant relationships between the public and private sectors within the agricultural spaces of African markets. I hope you enjoyed the read. Hit me up, and let’s keep the conversation going! I read all the feedback you send. Also, feel free to throw at me topics you’d like to read or hear my thoughts on. 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