Strengthening root and tuber value chains in Ghana

Agriculture contributes about 34% to Ghana’s GDP and root and tubers contribute 50% of agricultural GDP (MoFA, 2010). Grown by about 55% of farmers in Ghana, root and tuber crop improvement is a major poverty reduction strategy for the country (RTIMP, 2004). About 90% of people who market and process root and tubers into various forms are women. A few empirical research works have been carried out in the field of root and tuber value chains in developing countries (Asiedu, 2009; Joshi and Gurung, 2009; Mumbi et al, 2007). The value chain approach is an analytical tool that looks at interactions among different actors involved in the production and exchange activities at both micro and macro levels. Kaplinsky and Morris (2000) assert that four aspects of value-chain analysis apply to agriculture. Firstly, a value-chain analysis systematically maps the actors participating in the production, distribution, marketing, and sales of products. The second approach examines the distribution of benefits among actors in the chain through the analysis of returns on investment. Third, value-chain analysis is used to examine the role of upgrading within the chain. Finally, value-chain analysis highlights the role of governance in the chain. Governance is important from a policy perspective since it identifies institutional arrangements that may be targeted to improve capabilities in the value-chain, remedy distributional distortions, and increase value-added in the sector.