tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4636610798761076656.post4422451551824941704..comments2023-08-17T16:02:43.630+00:00Comments on Geothinking: Climate Change and Non-Wood Forest ProductsBenji Apraku Gyampohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01729050079427718870noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4636610798761076656.post-64574271838175330732010-04-07T20:24:51.488+00:002010-04-07T20:24:51.488+00:00Destruction of forests with emission of CO2 and po...Destruction of forests with emission of CO2 and pollution from agriculture (GHGs)are contributors to climate change. In addressing the issue on climate change, the geographical location must be considered. There are production and institutional constraints with Agriculture in Ghana and they are likely to serve as leading causes to climate change.<br />SOME CONSTRAINTS<br />1. Self insufficiency in food production.<br />2. low producer price.<br />3. Agriculture purely rainfed.<br />4. Poor access to inputs and information.<br />5. Land tenure arrangement unfavourable.<br />6. Farmers no political clout etc.<br />In a country where its people are not self sufficient and livelihood conditions are poor, it may be difficult educating them to implement environmental policies. People will prefer to use land for food production, clear forests to create more space for production, apply more pesticides to increase yield etc at the expense of conserving biodiversity. Must we allow our environment to deteriorate to affect water resources, agriculture and natural ecosystems?<br />RECOMMENDATIONS<br />1. Agriculture must become multifunctional; farmers can have other sectors to rely on in case of crop failure<br />2. Education<br />3. Provide farmers with inputs (credits, machinery etc)and good extension services<br />4. Provide subsidies to farmers<br />5. Nature conservation organisations and other NGOs can lease forest land to farmers for growing cacaa as understorey crops. In this way, the cacao will benefit from shade trees and sustainable production practices such as IPM in controlling diseases and pests must be encouraged. People will also value the forests and preserve it.<br />5. Farmers must be well organised through cooperatives and FFS (Farmer Field Schools)established to educate farmers on sustainable production practices.<br />Yields must be increased but we also have to preserve our environment to generate ecosystem services and other NTFPs for sustainable development.Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02743391987841595961noreply@blogger.com