It is true that Ghana still relies heavily on substance farming practices in the 21st century. Substance farming refers to a type of agriculture where farmers produce crops and livestock primarily for their own consumption and survival, rather than for sale in markets. This type of farming is often characterized by low productivity, limited use of modern technologies, and a lack of access to credit and markets.
One reason why substance farming continues to be prevalent in Ghana is due to the country’s high poverty levels. According to the World Bank, over 21% of Ghanaians live below the poverty line, which means they struggle to meet their basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. As a result, many farmers are forced to rely on subsistence farming as a means of survival.
Another factor contributing to the prevalence of substance farming in Ghana is the country’s land tenure system. In many rural areas, land is communally owned and managed by traditional authorities. This can make it difficult for individual farmers to secure long-term leases or titles to land, which in turn limits their ability to invest in modern technologies and practices that could increase productivity.
Substance farming, also known as substance agriculture or slash-and-burn agriculture, is a traditional method of farming in which farmers clear land by cutting down and burning trees and other vegetation. The ash from the burned vegetation provides nutrients to the soil, allowing crops to be grown for a few years until the soil becomes depleted and the farmers move on to clear another patch of land.
The negative effects of substance farming practices are numerous and significant. First and foremost, the clearing of forests and other natural habitats for farming purposes leads to deforestation and habitat destruction. This can have devastating impacts on local ecosystems, including loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and changes in local weather patterns.
In addition to environmental impacts, substance farming can also have negative social and economic consequences. Because the practice is often unsustainable in the long term, it can lead to poverty and food insecurity for farmers who rely on it as their primary source of income. Additionally, substance farming can contribute to conflicts over land use between different communities or groups.
Furthermore, substance farming practices can also contribute to climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through burning. This can exacerbate global warming and its associated impacts such as rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns.
In conclusion, substance farming practices have numerous negative effects on both the environment and human societies. As such, efforts should be made to transition towards more sustainable forms of agriculture that do not rely on deforestation or habitat destruction.
