Along with their children, women cultivate home gardens and raise livestock and poultry. The money made from selling produce, eggs, and meat at small roadside stands contributes an important source of income to the family. The role of women in Ghana's agricultural production and marketing is historically and culturally vital to the family's survival. The growing number of female-headed households in Ghana has sparked the interest of international advocacy groups. New studies are being conducted to examine ways of improving women's opportunities to market their produce.
Research is also focused on improving food safety and long-term agricultural sustainability.
While research projects and studies are being undertaken, large-scale commercial agricultural industries continue to put pressure on the economy, tillable land, and traditional farming practices. The exportation of goods has created a new economy for many Ghanaians. Working for large agriculture companies provides the family with an income to pay for schooling and housing and provides an opportunity to become less reliant on subsistence farming to feed the family. But it also creates pressure for more arable land. Forests and savannahs are becoming tilled fields and hillsides.