Maize production and marketing in the Gomoa area of the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

A pilot study has been conducted into maize production and marketing in the Gomoa area in the Central Region of Ghana. Production costs ranged from ¢36.00 to ¢51.00 per acre for those using neither fertilizer nor improved seeds and from ¢34.00 to ¢70.00 for the few farmers who used fertilizers and improved seeds. Labour was the item of highest cost in maize cultivation in the area. Labour input ranged from 34 to 49 8andays per acre for those who used neither fertilizer nor improved seeds and from 34 to 78 for those who used these inputs. Yields averaged 3 bags per acre but ranged from 1 to 8 bags. Total output by the 50 farmers was 4.58 bags or 47 long tons of shelled maize