Comparative Study On Crop Straw Utilization And Field Burning Between China And Ghana

Quantifying and recycling of crop straw resources in Ghana is still at the infant stage hampering the efficient recycling of these resources in a sustainable manner.Efficient utilization of crop straw particularly maize,rice,millet,sorghum,groundnut,cowpea and soybeans straw is a determining factor for cleaner production and sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Ghana.However,rampant field burning of crop straw coupled with inadequate support from government is hampering the effective utilization of straw resources in Ghana.The comprehensive utilization of straw resources in China plays a vital role in the economic development of the country.Chinese government has focused and invested in the comprehensive utilization of straw resources.There are different practical utilization methods,which are implemented in China and are supported by policies and programs.China‘s efforts towards crop straw utilization is worthy of emulation by Ghana.This research estimated the crop straw yield from 2006 to 2016 and identified the various utilization modes for major cereals and legumes in Ghana.In addition,the distribution of maize,rice,sorghum and cowpea straw across major producing regions is calculated.Straw to grain ratio(SG)and results of different methods of recycling crop straw was obtained from various literatures.The estimation of the straw resources for major cereals and legumes was based on the theoretical estimation of straw.The theoretical estimation includes all straw resources that can be collected and used.The principal straws estimated were straws of maize,rice,sorghum,millet,groundnut,cowpea and soya beans.In addition,the study identified rural households' crops straw utilization methods and investigated the occurrence as well as effects of crops straw burning.The cross-sectional data collected from 384 farmer households‘ in Yendi municipality,Saboba and Tatale-Sanguli districts in the Northern region of Ghana were analyzed with Statistical Package of Social Sciences(SPSS).China‘s approach towards comprehensive utilization of straw resources was reviewed from various literatures.Results obtained showed that a total of 77404709.75 tonnes of cereals and legumes straw were generated in Ghana from 2006 to 2016.Cereal straw recorded a 73.2% yield whilst legume straw recorded 26.8%.The estimation indicated that maize and groundnut straw recorded the highest yield of 37323264.16 and 12495288.96 tonnes respectively.Distribution of Maize,rice,sorghum and cowpea for 3 year periods in major regions in Ghana indicated that the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana had the highest maize straw yield with the Northern region recording readily availability of both cereals and legumes straw resources.The major recycling methods of straw in Ghana are as feed for livestock,fertilizer as a soil management fuel for cooking and for sale as substrate for fungi culture in mushroom production.From the household survey data,the total crop yield for major cereals and legumes produced was 1290 tonnes with a total crop straw yield of 3050 tonnes.Cereals straw contributed the highest yield percentage of 56.4% while legume straw contribution was 43.6%.About 1230 tonnes(40.3%)of straws from major cereals and legumes were utilized for different purposes such as returning to the field to enrich the soil,fodder for livestock,cooking fuel,sale and other traditional purposes.The remaining 1820 tonnes(59.7%)of crop straws were burnt on the field.85% of the households indicated their crop straw is either burnt consciously or unconsciously on the fields by farmers and hunters whiles 15% of households‘ do not practice field burning.The dry season is the major season where field burning of crop straw is practiced.44% of households‘ indicated the highest period of field burning is done in the late dry season(February to April).The percentages of straw burnt on the field for each crop were 77.6% for maize,58.6% for sorghum,56.5% groundnut,49.7% for millet,47.4% cowpea,42.2% for rice and 41.4% for soybean.Farming and farm size are the key influencing factors that affect straw burning.Farmer households reasons for field burning of straw are saves time to work on the farm during ploughing and post planting operations,reduce pest infestation,no time to remove straw from field before next farming season,increases soil fertility,no alternative method to straw utilization,lack of trainings by Agriculture extension officers and lack of government support.Farming and farm size are the key influencing factors that affect straw burning.Open field burning of straws caused a decline in yield for about 65.7% of respondents.In China,by 2015,1.04 billion tonnes of straws were produced and the comprehensive utilization rate was 80.1%.Rice,wheat and corn straws are the most abundant straw resources in China,which constitutes 75% of total straws.By the end of 2019,the comprehensive utilization rate of straw in China reached 85.45%.Currently,China practices different crop straw utilization methods such as fertilizer(Returning straw to the field,biochar),feed,fungal base material,fuel such as direct combustion,straw briquettes,electricity generation,straw gasification and biogas and liquefaction.Straw is also used as factory raw material.China‘s comprehensive straw utilization can be attributed to the policies and regulations the government has put in place to prevent straw burning.The declaration of the "Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Accelerating the Comprehensive Utilization of Crop Straws" in 2008 marked the rise of China's comprehensive utilization of straw to a national strategic level.By end of 2020,China seeks to achieve 90% comprehensive straw utilization.Most of the recycling methods practiced in Ghana are at the traditional stage and poorly utilized with little support from the government.Whiles China practices advanced straw utilization methods,which are supported by polices.Government of Ghana needs to develop appropriate policies and legislative measures to encourage effective utilization of straw and prohibit field burning of straws.This study recommends strategies government of Ghana can adapt to develop policies geared towards the accurate recording of straw and their comprehensive utilization in Ghana.The efficient utilization of straw resources will promote sustainable economic development in Ghana,particularly in the Agriculture,Environment and the Energy sectors.