Yield Gap Assessment and Prognosis for Self-Sufficient Maize Production in Ghana.

The world population is projected to reach 9 billion in 2050 and this is expected to be accompanied by an increase in food demand of about 70-100%. In Ghana, the population is expected to reach approximately 40 million in 2050 from the 24.4 million levels in 2010. This will be accompanied by rapid urbanisation. Demand for food is therefore going to increase to meet the food needs of the rapidly increasing urban population. Using the Global Yield Gap Atlas, this study analyses the food security situation in Ghana in the year 2010 and 2050, assuming maize is the major starchy staple. The analyses indicate that the ratio of food production and food consumption for the year 2010 is quite low even when large contribution from root crop (about 40%) is considered; only a vegetarian diet is possible for a large part of the population and food (nutrient) composition may be a problem. Ratio for the year 2050 will become almost high enough for a vegetarian diet, if also double cropping is practised in southern Ghana. The ratio of food production and consumption in 2050 will be the same as 2010 if the population and arable land are doubled. Food self- sufficiency in Ghana and a ratio that will allow for a moderate diet for a large section of the population will be possible only if intensification of arable land is possible and the yield gap at farmers’ fields can be largely closed.-