Maize in Ghana: An Overview of Cultivation to Processing

Thumbnail Image
Date
2016-01-01
Authors
Darfour, Bernard
Rosentrater, Kurt
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Authors
Person
Rosentrater, Kurt
Professor
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Organizational Unit
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.

History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.

Dates of Existence
1905–present

Historical Names

  • Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)

Related Units

Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation in Ghana has been ongoing for centuries. Maize production in Ghana, is predominantly done under rain-fed conditions by poorly resourced smallholder farmers. The agro-ecological zones for maize cultivation in Ghana can be mainly grouped into four; Coastal savannah zone, forest zone, transition zone and Guinea savannah zone. Maize accounts for 50% of the total cereal production in Ghana, with reported postharvest losses between 5% and 70%. Improving food security through a reduction of post-harvest losses is imperative for meeting current development objectives. Stored maize is attacked by 20 different species of insect pests including the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Mots.). There are traditional techniques still in use for maize storage (drying in field, on platform, on ground, and use of mud silos) and modern techniques (using metal silos, solar dryers, chemical, hermetic technique and Purdue Improved Drying Stove). There are various methods used in the maize shelling and storage. Purchasing of modern equipment for shelling and conditioning is highly unaffordable by these subsistence farmers. The lack of commercial or industrial processing of maize, and improper storage facilities is causing immense food losses and insecurity in Ghana. Due to this farmers are compelled to sell their bumper harvest at low prices, and those in barns and warehouses get rotten. The purpose of this paper was to review literature on the cultivation, post-harvest handling, and processing of maize grains in Ghana.

Comments

This paper is from 2016 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Paper No. 162460492, pages 1-16 (doi: 10.13031/aim.20162460492). St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. Posted with permission.

Description
Keywords
Citation
DOI
Copyright
Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2016