IPSI Case Study Summary Sheet
Basic Information
Title of case study (should be concise and within approximately 25 words)
Compound farming system in semi-arid Ghana: a socio-ecological production landscape in decline
Submitting IPSI member organization(s)Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), The University of Tokyo
Other contributing organization(s) (IPSI members and/or non-members)
University for Development Studies (UDS)
Author(s) and affiliation(s)Yaw Agyeman Boafo (IR3S), Romanus Ziem and Abdallah Alhassan (UDS)Format of case study
Manuscript
Language

English(manuscript or audiovisual)

Keywords (3-5 key concepts included in the case study)
Compound farms, Households, Semi-arid Ghana, Ecosystem services
Date of submission (or update, if this is an update of an existing
25 August 2016case study)

Web link (of the case study orlead organization if available formore information)

https://collections.unu.edu/eserv/UNU:5769/SEPLS_in_Africa_FINAL_lowres_web.pdf

Geographical Information
Country (where site(s) or activities described in the case study are located – can be multiple, or even “global”)
GhanaLocation(s) (within the country or countries – leave blank if specific location(s) cannot be identified)
Northern Region
Longitude/latitude or Google Maps link (if location is identified)
https://www.google.com/maps/@9.4306381,-1.3458389,10z?hl=en
Ecosystem(s) (please place an “x” in all appropriate boxes)
ForestGrasslandx
Agriculturalx
In-land water
CoastalDryland x
Mountain
Urban/peri-urban
Other (Please specify)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area (within 50 words)
The area has a peculiar sub-humid and semi-arid climate marked by a distinct wet and a dry season. The
vegetation of the district is Guinea savanna. However, the natural vegetation has been severely depleted as aresult of anthropogenic factors such as wild bush fires, illegal logging of trees for charcoal and fuel wood,
hunting, farming, and construction.
Description of human-nature interactions in the area (land-use, traditional resource management practices etc. – within 50words)

Farming is the foremost socio-economic activity of households in this predominantly rural landscape.
Livestock and poultry rearing are common in most households. Small-scale trading and youth outmigration tourban centers in southern Ghana are also important livelihood strategies among the population. Some
disturbances can be blamed partly on human factors, including poor environmental management.

Contents
Status (“ongoing” or “completed”)
Completed
Period (MM/YY to MM/YY)
2016
Rationale (why activities or policies described, or information shared in the case study are needed – within 50 words)
Against the backdrop of challenges linked to rapidly changing socioeconomic, cultural, political, andenvironmental conditions in semi-arid Ghana and beyond, this once-resilient agroecosystem is vulnerable andthreatened.
Objectives (goals of activities or policies described, or of producing the case study – within 50 words)
The present study examines the defining characteristics, functions and values of compound farming systems
in semi-arid Ghana. Current threats and challenges as well as recommendations for the sustainability ofcompound farming systems is discussed.
Activities and/or practices employed (within 50 words)

This study documents the current state of compound farming systems in semi-arid Ghana based on a 3-year
in-depth field survey of six communities in the Tolon district of the Northern region.
Results (within 50 words)
As a subsector of the agriculture production sector in Ghana, compound farming systems, from ourinvestigation has not been received the needed attention from key stakeholders despite the significant socioeconomic and ecological benefits associated with this farming system.
Lessons learned (factors in success or failure, challenges and opportunities – within 40 words)
The loss of genetic diversity, particularly where poor farmers in rural semi-arid Ghana communities isconcerned, is associated with reduced food security, increased economic uncertainty, increased vulnerability
to pests and diseases, reduction in the possibilities for adaptation and for future generations and accelerated
loss of local knowledge about diversity.
Key messages (within 40 words)
In the face of the existing and looming threat of climate variability and change, conserving genetic diversity is
critical for building resilience and adaptability in socio-ecological production landscapes in vulnerable semiarid regions. Programmes need to promote climate smart agriculture practices, agroforestry schemes inaddition to prioritizing the integration of resilient traditional knowledge practices and systems ofcommunities.
Relationship to other IPSI activities (if the case study is related to any other IPSI collaborative activities, case studies, etc.)
This case study originally appeared in the publication “Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapesin Africa”.
Funding (any relevant information about funding of activities or projects described in the case study)
Much of the primary data collection for this study was made possible through fieldwork activities as part ofthe interdisciplinary research project in semi-arid Ghana known as ‘Enhancing Resilience to Climate andEcosystem Changes in Semi-arid Africa: An Integrated Approach (CECAR Africa).” This project is being fundedby the Japan International Cooperation (JICA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Contributions to Global Agendas
CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets (https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/)
The table below shows based on the self-evaluation by author(s).  and  indicates the “direct” or “indirect” contributions to theCBD’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets respectively to which the work described in this case study contributes to.

Strategic Goal A

Strategic Goal BStrategic Goal C

Strategic Goal D

Strategic Goal E

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs)
The table below shows based on the self-evaluation by author(s).  and  indicates the “direct” or “indirect” contributions to theSDGs respectively to which the work described in this case study contributes to.
