**9. Contribution/prospects of vegetable production to food and nutrition security in Ghana**

In Ghana, the promotion of food security has been centered on starch-based staple crops such as maize, rice, cassava, yam, sweet potato, plantain, etc. which are mainly dietary sources of energy. However, in recent times, the introduction and addition of the term "nutrition security" has reshaped the concept and created awareness on the dietary importance of vegetables [70]. Intake of a diverse range of food categories in the right proportions is required for a healthy living. Food and nutrition security can, therefore, never be achieved without realizing and acknowledging the roles of vegetables in our diets. Their rich source of water, protein, minerals, vitamins, and other important phytochemicals champions the need for dietary diversity for good health, protecting us from heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes [71]. Thus, vegetable intake is one of the affordable approaches to achieve both food and nutrition security.

In Ghana, the vegetable sector has recently recorded a spike in production [72] and consumption [73] of both indigenous and exotic vegetable crops. This typically shows the roles of vegetable production in improving the livelihoods of people involved in its value chain. It creates important economic opportunities for smallholder farmers particularly in the rural communities as well as fragmented areas in urban and peri-urban and thus, offering opportunities for poverty reduction [19]. It is worth noting that, income generated from the vegetable sales helps these farmers to purchase other foodstuffs which are equally important in achieving a healthy diet. Farmers can explore and adopt a mixed cropping system, thereby, integrating vegetable crops into the cultivation of the major staple crops or shifting to solely vegetable production to maintain economic or financial stability [70]. Vegetable production may offer a profitable business opportunity. The recent introduction of vegetable production under controlled environments such as greenhouses has improved the availability of vegetables as a result of year-round production, as well as the quality. Although the initial cost of production is high, farmers who go into greenhouse production with good management practices and associated high yields increase their returns per unit area of production compared with those into open-field production [74]. This system has offered an alternative attractive source of employments for the youths who previously disregarded farming. For instance, graduates with engineering backgrounds can explore areas such as design, construction, and installation of greenhouses and accessories. Others with pre-requisite training in greenhouse vegetable production can take managerial roles. In addition, vegetable production offers huge cash income for market-oriented vegetable farmers particularly women who are the largest group of beneficiaries. There is also a huge opportunity in the export of vegetables. The greenhouse cultivation offers this opportunity to farmers to enable them to meet the strict export requirements of vegetables and leverage to maximize the profit margin of the farmers as well as foreign exchange for the economic growth of the country. Production of vegetables under greenhouse conditions limits and/or avoids the uncontrolled use of agrochemicals which pose serious threats to food safety and security [75]. The vegetable production under controlled conditions has contributed to introducing the new scope of research and teaching in the tertiary levels. For instance, some universities have already revised their course contents or curriculum and mounted an entire course and program at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This is the surest

#### *Harnessing Technologies for Vegetable Cultivation: A Panacea for Food and Nutrition Insecurity… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101877*

way of promoting sustainable vegetable production and the indirect approach of ensuring sustainable food and nutrition security. Thus, students who successfully attain training in diverse areas in vegetable production become the main actors in the vegetable value chains such as the vegetable farmers, managers, exporters, policymakers, and researchers, etc.

Moreover, vegetable production could serve as a feedstock for various industrial productions. Unfortunately, the opportunities associated with vegetable production have not been utilized adequately. There are so many recipes of vegetable juices that can be developed and commercialized in Ghana as done in developed countries. Improved processing and packaging with excellent hygienic conditions will ease in preparation and consumption of vegetables. Vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, carrots, spring onions can be chopped and packaged and made available in groceries. Industrialized vegetable production, processing, and marketing could offer huge employment opportunities to the youth. In addition, this will eventually promote vegetable availability, accessibility, and utilization thereby contributing to food and nutrition security.

In Ghana, there are underutilized vegetable species such as Turkey berries (*Solanum torvum*) which are being used for the preparation of local delicacies as well as medicinal purposes, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. Such vegetables may be rich in essential secondary metabolites which could be harnessed to promote daily consumption thereby addressing or improving food and nutrition security [76]. However, there is little, or no research works on these vegetables which are growing distinct whiles others are scattered in various localities and highly exposed/ endangered to destruction by mechanical weeding, herbicide applications, and pest infestations. Therefore, considering their nutritional and medicinal properties, these underutilized vegetables could be scientifically explored and promoted to improve the livelihoods of the local dwellers using them as food or medicines [76, 77]. In addition, advanced research could lead to the commercialization and industrialization of these vegetable crops contributing to various economic benefits.

### **10. Conclusion**

The chapter looked at state-of-the-art technologies in vegetable production, the trends, and the challenges associated with the production. It discussed the types of vegetables and the emerging technologies for vegetable production in Ghana. It also describes advanced technologies in vegetable production in Ghana based on genetic improvement, soil fertility improvement, irrigation as well as pest and diseases management practices. Production is characterized by the use of manual labor for most farm activities though recently some farmers who have larger farms are incorporating some level of mechanization. Cultivation is often under rainfed system which only allows for production within two seasons or one season of the year depending on the location of the farm within the country. Over-reliance on rainfall for vegetable production and the erratic nature of rainfall patterns in recent years due to climate change results in poor yield. Small scale production is not sufficient to prevent the shortage of particular vegetables during certain times of the year. Overcoming the over-dependence of agriculture on rain has led to the development of irrigation sites to enable off-season or nearly all-year-round cultivation of vegetables.

Challenges associated with vegetable production in Ghana include a limited number of varieties due to the extinction of local varieties. Lack of a functional vegetable seed system unlike other crops affects the availability of quality seeds. Overreliance on imported seeds of common vegetables is attributed to a lack of research into the indigenous vegetables. Infrastructure challenges especially

irrigation and processing facilities, and poor roads hinder the growth of the sector. The perishable nature of most vegetables requires that they reach the markets and consumers in time to reduce post-harvest losses. Contamination from abuse and misuse of agrochemicals in vegetable cultivation is another challenge associated with vegetable production in Ghana. Emerging technologies for vegetable cultivation include nursery management technology for example sterilization of growth media and grafting technology, use of protected/screenhouse in vegetable cultivation. Another is the use of information technology in vegetable production in Ghana. The rapid evolution of information technology in climate-smart vegetable production systems, drone or an unmanned aerial vehicle is gradually being used in pests and diseases and weeds surveillance. Digital marketing and the use of social media to enhance the visibility of vegetable producers and postharvest handling technologies of vegetables are also gathering momentum. It is obvious from this chapter that, abundant agro-techniques exist that have the potential to transform Ghana's vegetable industry. However, the proper transformational mechanisms and enabling environment should also be created for the adoption of these technologies. Technology is a vehicle for rapid development; therefore, improved technologies tailored for agriculture must be harnessed appropriately. This will not only ensure food security but will go a long way to improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers who have embraced vegetable production as their mainstay of life.
