NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF SWEET POTATO PRODUCTION IN NORTHERN GHANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION EFFORTS

The study was carried out to generate baseline information on production, marketing and utilization of sweet potato in Northern Ghana. The assessment was carried out using Rapid Rural Appraisal tools, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, seasonal calendars, problem solving tree, decision making matrix, problem census and prioritization matrix. Northern and Upper East Regions reported higher yields ranging from (3 - 3.6) tons/acre of fresh sweet potato if fertilizer was applied. Upper West had lower yields of about (1.4 -1.8) tons/acre of fresh sweet potato (No fertilizer applied). Northern and Upper East Regions also had a benefit-cost ratio of 2.5 compared with that of the Upper West Region of 2.05. Lack of planting material was a major limiting factor to the expansion of sweet potato production especially in Northern and Upper West Regions. Lack of good market sources was an important limiting factor to production in all regions. 5 varieties were identified in upper east region with 3 and 4 identified in Northern and Upper West Regions, respectively. This was mainly based on flesh and skin colour of the sweet potato, with orange-fleshed sweet potato being well-known at each location.