Livestock-crop integration offers the highest economic returns among five climate-smart agriculture (CSA) interventions practised by smallholder farmers in northern Ghana, a KNUST study has found.

The intervention recorded a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 2.87, meaning farmers could realise GH₵2.87 in benefits for every GH₵1 invested. It was followed by mixed cropping at 2.54, crop rotation at 2.24, nutrient integration at 1.98 and tie ridging at 1.42.

The study assessed the economic viability of the five CSA interventions adopted by farmers in Doggoh, Jeffiri and Wulling, three villages within the dryland farming systems of northern Ghana.

Using data from 161 farm households, the researchers evaluated the interventions based on their Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit-Cost Ratio and payback period.

The findings showed that all five interventions were economically viable, while also contributing to improved crop yields and household incomes. The researchers said this highlighted their potential to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers facing increasing climate risks.

Livestock-crop integration remained the most profitable intervention even under a pessimistic scenario, although it had a relatively long payback period of five years.

The researchers, however, noted that high initial investment costs and longer payback periods could influence farmers’ decisions to adopt some of the interventions.

The research team, which included Prof. Fred Nimoh, therefore recommended that CSA interventions be promoted according to the resources and circumstances of different groups of farmers, alongside increased investment in economically viable practices.

They also called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and other stakeholders to strengthen farmer education and capacity building to promote food security, agricultural resilience and sustainable farming in northern Ghana.

The study was published in Regional Sustainability.