Evaluation of the resource efficiency of guinea fowl production in the Savelegu-Nanton District of the Northern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Guinea fowl production offers an income source that could reduce the incidence of poverty of rural householders in Northern Ghana, considered one of the poorest regions in West Africa, due to its unimodal rainfall patterns that restrict the year-round production of crops. However, information on profitability and resource use in guinea fowl production in Northern Ghana is very limited. We assessed the resource-use efficiency of guinea fowl production in the Savelugu-Nanton district of the Northern Region of Ghana based on a random-sampling survey of 192 guinea fowl producers using data for the 2018 production year. The study revealed that the average flock size per producer was 82 birds; the average gross margin was about 1,499 Ghana cedis (GHS), and the average return on investment was 16.7%. High mortality rates of birds and frequent incidences of diseases were the most important challenges faced by the producers. We recommend that the government improves its extension services to farmers, especially in veterinary care services for detection and early treatment of diseases. Key words: Guinea fowl, human capital, Ghana, poultry production, resource efficiency, risk aversion.