Competitiveness of Banana Production in the Mampong Municipality of Ashanti Region of Ghana
Fred Nimoh *
Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.
Sarfo Yaw
Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.
Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum
Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Using household-level survey data, this study investigates the relative competitiveness of banana production in the Mampong municipality of Ashanti region of Ghana. Empirical results from discounting and non-discounting technique of project evaluation show that banana production is relatively profitable than other staple crops such as maize and cassava, despite the relatively higher investment required. Production of banana is also constrained by lack of funds and lack of labour in the study area. Policy efforts should be geared toward addressing the problems that discourage farmers from cultivating crops such as banana. Farmers should also be educated and encouraged to cultivate banana as an alternative crop that can maximize their long-term returns.
Keywords: Banana, competitiveness, profitability, rate of return, Mampong-Ghana