Supply Chain Analysis of Cocoyam in Ghana

2018

English

Cocoyam is one of the most important food crops contributing to the incomes and food security of most Ghanaians. However, there is co-existence of weakly connected commodity chain that poses challenges to the distribution and marketing of the crop in Ghana, thus affecting incomes of various chain members. Through formal surveys, cocoyam chain members were interviewed to identify challenges, barriers, opportunities and the way forward to develop and expand production and marketing of cocoyam. Results revealed that production of the crop was dwindling. Farm sizes were small varying from 0.2 ha to 0.5 ha. Cocoyam productivity remained low with yields averaging 6 tons/ha. Positive margins were recouped by all the actors along the cocoyam supply chain with farmers enjoying the most net margins. The analysis also revealed the existence of both horizontal and vertical linkages among chain level members. These relationships could be strengthened to reduce the constraints poor storage system, poor transportation system, limited market information, limited use of improved technologies, poor marketing skills and inadequate product development.

Acheampong, P. P.; Osei-Adu, J.; Amengor, N. E.; Sagoe, R.; Brobbey, L.