22 Van der Werf. Ecological Sustainable Agriculture.

An agricultural development plan for which a sketch is given
in this report does not only offer new perspectives for the
Accra Plains in Ghana. With small adjustments in relation to
the local problems and possibilities this sketch is useful not
only for Ghana but also for other countries in tropical Afri-
ca, because there is an overall need of agriculture which
ensures the maintenance of soil fertility and a sustained
productivity.

It is emphasised that 5 years may be considered impractible
ambitious and 50 years irresponsible tardy to achieve this
goal, and that 10 years would be realistic as a target. The
Agromeda Agricultural Project is following this line of
thought. In 1978 a start was made with establishing a 1 ha
garden that could serve as the core of extension work in the
area. The "Maartengarden", as it is called, is there to demon-
strate the agro-ecological methods discussed in this paper.
Another paper will deal with the Maartengarden itself.


CONTENTS:

1. Introduction 1
2. The destruction of the Accra plains 7
2.1 Deforestation and climatic changes 7
2.2 Erosion 8
2.3 Bushfire 9
2.4 Soil compaction 10
2.5 Decrease in soil fertility 10
3. Co-existence of crop farming and cattle grazing 12
3.1 Landlease and landuse 12
3.2 Abandonment of shifting cultivation 12
3.3 From herdsman to cattle-breeders 13
3.4 Cowdung and urine in crop farming 14
3.5 Barter, market place and middlemen 14
4. An agro-ecological restoration plan 15
4.1 Fire breaks 15
4.2 Wind breaks 16
4.3 Reforestation 16
4.4 Protecting arable land against animals 17
4.5 Farmroads 18
4.6 Plans, rules and laws 18
5. Cooperatives of farmers 18
5.1 The consumers interests 19
5.2 The producers interests 19
5.3 The materials for cooperative use 19
5.4 Cultivation planning 20
5.5 Extension work 20
5.6 Prevention of diseases and pests 21
5.7 The financial basis of the cooperative 22
5.8 Agricultural development officers 23
6. Conclusion 23

Text entrance-stone of the Maartengarden 24
References 25