Baseline Survey and Promotion of Grain-Producing Amaranth (<i>Amaranthus spp</i>.) Crop among Ghanaian Vegetable Growers

Abstract

Cultivated amaranth species can be used as a leafy vegetable, grain, forage and ornamentals. The objective of this study was to obtain baseline information on vegetable production in Ghana, with an emphasis on grain-producing amaranth. The survey was administered in three major vegetable production fields in Accra, Ghana. The questions were structured, 55 respondents were purposefully selected and interviewed, and the data were represented in pie or bar charts. Male farmers exceeded their female counterparts, and each farmer cultivated about one acre. Cultivation was all year round and irrigation was applied predominantly using stream water. At
least 82% of the farmers may change currently cultivated vegetables if there were alternatives with increased demand. About 61% had ever cultivated leafy amaranth and 58% were willing to restart cultivation. Amaranth farmers were challenged in the field mostly by pests (44%) and insects (26%) infestations, and diseases (23%). None of the farmers was aware of the edibility of amaranth seeds/grains while at least 81% had an interest in cultivating grain amaranth based on increased consumer demand. Importantly, the interest of respondents to cultivate grainproducing amaranth can help achieve SDG goals 1 to 3 of No poverty, Zero hunger, Good health and well-being.