Title: The environmental impact and sustainability of plantations in sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana's experiences with oil-palm plantations.

POPLINE Document Number: 128806

Author(s):

Gyasi EA

Source citation:

In: Sustaining the future: economic, social, and environmental change in sub-Saharan Africa, edited by George Benneh, William B. Morgan, and Juha I. Uitto. Tokyo, Japan, United Nations University Press, 1996. :342-57.

Abstract:

The author discusses the environmental impact and sustainability of plantations in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly upon the basis of Ghana's experiences with oil-palm plantations. Agriculture has traditionally formed the main economic activity in sub-Saharan Africa and currently generates the majority of employment and incomes. Agriculture is the main land-use factor in the region. In Ghana, agriculture contributes half of the gross domestic product and 60% of export earnings, and occupies 57% of the total land area. As the major land-use factor, agriculture can significantly affect the natural environment, especially through vegetation removal. Large-scale plantations comprise one system of agricultural production. An overview is presented of that plantation system in the sub-Sahara, followed by consideration of the evolution of plantations in Ghana, the positive impacts of plantations, and adverse environmental impacts and sustainability.

Keywords:

Ghana
Environmental Impact
Agriculture
Developing Countries
Africa, Western
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Environment
Macroeconomic Factors
Economic Factors