Time Series and Factor Analysis of Sugar Cane Production: Case Study at Tosukpo, Volta Region, Ghana

The main objective of this research is to study sugar cane production at a small farming community in South Tongu District of the Volta Region of Ghana. Primary data was administered by using questionnaires from ninety (90) farmers who were randomly selected and secondary data was also obtained from the Ghana Statistical Service from January 2000 to December 2010.

The results were analysed using Factor analysis and Time series analysis that, men form the majority of the farmers, most of the farmers fall within the age group between 20 and 50 years. The cultivation of sugar cane at the study area is on small- scale basis. Majority (91.7%) of the sugar cane farmers obtained a yield of 1 -5 tons per acre. More than half of the farmers interviewed, representing 65% earned between 500-1000 Ghana cedis which could not support their satisfactory living standard conditions.

In addition, farmers face problems such as high cost of production, inadequate preparations, customary method of farming and land holding title, age and inadequate information on production and lack of production amenities or necessities, contributing to the decline in yield and income of the farmers in the study area.

Moreover, it was recommended that; Extension service delivery should reach the farmers to enhance their production techniques, Ministry of food and agriculture (MOFA) of the South Tongu District should reach the farmers in their communities and keep records on the volumes of production and the government and cooperate bodies should assist to establish sugar factory in the area to aid in the processing of the sugar cane into sugar.