Abstract:
This study assessed the status of vegetable production in the Tamale metropolitan area in the
northern region of Ghana. A mixed method research design was adopted for data collection
through the application of Participatory Research Appraisal tools and techniques including
individual interviews using questionnaires. R and om sampling technique was used to select six
communities and o ne hundred and twenty respondents. Data was analyzed via descriptive
statistics which generated summaries and Tables using SAS software. The majority were in the
age group of 26-36 years but illiterate dominant. Rains, wells/dug-outs, gutters/sewage, and tapborne water were sources of water. They practiced mono-crop in a rotation with application of
synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Majority of the customers were the local
consumers who were as less informed as the producers on “preference for organically produced
vegetables than for inorganically produced vegetables”. Farmers suffered scarce agricultural
extension officers’ visits and were all involved in both organic and inorganic farming. Generally,
there was a blatant abuse of agrochemical usage. They were inadequate in their knowledge of
agronomic, harvest, and postharvest practices such as precooling, chemical, and botanical
treatments that were sought to enhance vegetable shelf life. Sustainable water source(s) and
intensified agricultural extension services were recommended.
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