Sustainable agriculture intensification: An MCE model analysis of yam farmland suitability in Ghana.
Abstract
Yam production is important in West Africa due to its contribution to food security, the economy, and increasing demand in international markets. Thus, recent statistics show that about 94% of global yam production is in the sub-region. However, current yam farming approaches are unsustainable and result in land degradation and deforestation. This study employs Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) model in GIS to identify suitable sites for sustainable yam farming in Ghana, needed to minimize the environmental impacts of intensive production while maximizing yields to achieve food security. The model results showed mixed site suitability within the yam growing belt in Ghana. About 52.51% of the total suitable lands are located within the Guinea Savannah, while 98% of the evaluated area in the Transitional Forest Belt could support sustainable intensification. However, there is a need to target specific areas for intensification even within these climate zones. The result further showed a higher likelihood of farmers encroaching into protected environmental areas (e.g., 70.49% overlap), highlighting the need for policies to prevent such practices. These findings provide useful information for local and national efforts towards promoting sustainable yam production in Ghana and other parts of Africa. By applying an MCE model, we provide a foundation for collaborative regional and national strategies to maintain or restore farmlands for yam production through multicriteria assessment.