The Effects of Water Hyacinth Invasion on Smallholder Farming along River Tano and Tano Lagoon, Ghana

Abstract

Water hyacinth invasion and its associated effects have been reported to be a source of problems to riparian people, posing challenges to activities like fishing and farming along invaded waterbodies. Based on cross-sectional research with 55 farmers who were sampled using the snowballing sampling technique, this study assesses the effects of water hyacinth invasion on smallholder farming activities in the Jomoro District. Four communities along the River Tano and Tano Lagoon in the district were purposively selected for the study. Individual surveys and Focus Group Discussions were used as data collection methods to assess the situation. Among the problems posed by water hyacinth invasion to smallholder farming in the study area were the destruction of farm produce due to the blockade caused by water hyacinth on the water bodies, reduced profit from farm output and economic hardship. We recommend that interactive participation involving farmers, district and traditional authorities, and rural development agencies should be adopted to control the spread of the water hyacinth to a level where it will cease to impede the activities of the riparian people.

Keywords:

• smallholder farming
• water hyacinth
• livelihood
• riparian people
• Jomoro District
• Ghana

Public Interest Statement

Water hyacinth invasion threatens socio-economic activities in riparian communities in the Jomoro District of Ghana. This study assesses the effects of water hyacinth invasion on smallholder farming in communities along River Tano and Tano Lagoon in the Jomoro District, based on data gathered using snowballing non-probability sampling procedure. The study was inspired by the general absence of research in Ghana to explain the effects of water hyacinth invasion on farming activities. It was found that water hyacinth invasion of River Tano and Tano Lagoon led to the destruction of farm produce, increased travel time used to access farms and a consequent reduction in farmers’ income. Understanding these effects can improve programs and policies to addresses the water hyacinth menace. A study of water hyacinth invasion issues can also assist government and non-government organizations to assist communities and individuals whose livelihood activities have been affected by the invasion.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by DANIDA Fellowship Centre (number 2GBIONRG).

Notes on contributors

Emmanuel Honlah

Emmanuel Honlah holds Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Rural Development (KNUST), Master of Arts in Environmental Management and Policy (University of Cape Coast) and Master of Philosophy in Geography and Rural Development (KNUST). His interest areas are Urban Geography, Environmental Management and Policy, and Rural Development. He focuses on the socio-economic effects of invasive species in riparian environments. He is particularly interested in the effects of water hyacinth invasion in the Jomoro District where the presence of the weeds in the River Tano and Abby-Tano Lagoon poses challenges to riparian people who rely on the two water bodies to make a living. How water hyacinth invasion affects the income and sustainability of farming work in the district is also studied. This study forms part of a larger research that assessed “Biofuel production from lignocellulosic materials” financed by DANIDA Fellowship Centre (2GBIONRG) and coordinated by the Technical University of Denmark.