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Rapid Value Chain/Market Assessment of three selected NTFPs (GOP, & )

Communities: Nyamebekyere-Mankraso, Goaso Nyamebekyere-Goaso, and Asuodei-Goaso

Submitted by

Larry Amekuse ASNAPP [email protected] +233-244864372 Table of Contents

Inhoud 1.0 Background to the Study...... 2 1.1 Objective of the Assessment...... 2 1.2 Expected Output...... 3 1.3 Approach and Methodology...... 3 1.4 Limitations...... 3 1.5 Brief Description of the Two Districts...... 3 1.5.1 Ahafo-Ano South District...... 3 1.5.2 Asunafo North Municipial...... 4 2.0 Findings...... 5 2.1 Mankraso-Nyamebekyere...... 5 2.1.1 Key Issues...... 5 2.1.2 Access to services and Technical/Extension support...... 5 2.1.3 Marketing support...... 5 2.2 Goaso-Nyamebekyere...... 5 2.2.1 Key Issues...... 5 2.2.2 Access to Services Technical/Extension support...... 6 2.2.3 Marketing support...... 6 2.2.4 Inputs...... 7 2.3 Goaso-Asuodei...... 7 2.3.1 Current situation...... 7 2.3.2 Access to Services Technical/Extension support...... 7 2.3.3 Marketing support...... 7 2.4 Market Centres...... 7 2.4.1 Adum...... 7 2.4.2 Kejetia Central Market...... 8 2.5 Value Chain map showing cost along the chain...... 9 2.5.1 Black Pepper...... 9 2.5.2 GOP...... 9 2.5.3 Honey...... 9 3.0 Recommendations...... 10 4.0 Appendix 1: Product Profiles...... 11 4.1 Grains of Paradise...... 11 4.2 Black Pepper...... 12 5.0 Appendix 2: Field Pictures...... 16 6.0 References...... 18

i ASNAPP 1.0 Background to the Study

As Part of the ASNAPP’s commitment to the Food & Business Applied Research Fund project titled “Improving smallholders’ food and income security by introducing non-timber forest products in reforestation schemes and -crop farms: A collaborative learning process in Ghana”, a market assessment was undertaken to provide an overview of the product flow and viability to augment work by students’ research work which forms a core of the programme.

Benefits of gender-sensitive reforestation schemes like Ghana’s Modified Taungya System (MTS) that combine and food crops are reduced after canopy closure, when farmers lose interest as food crops can no longer be grown. This project seeks to enhance food and income security for MTS/tree farmers after canopy closure by examining and building capacity on how three previously introduced shade- tolerant non-timber forest products can be successfully harvested, processed and marketed. It involves farmers, practitioners, policymakers, NGOs and value-chain actors in a stepwise collaborative learning approach including inception, joint implementation, and dissemination. Built on knowledge gaps identified by farmers and practitioners, this proposal contributes to the broader debate on landscape approaches that aim to integrally address food insecurity, , environmental degradation, and climate change. Deliverables include insights intro opportunities for improved production, processing and marketing and how continual learning can be institutionalised in farmer groups, communities of practice, and learning platforms.

ASNAPP together with RUDEYA piloted the planting of shade-tolerant NTFPs such as West African black pepper ( guineense L.) and grains of paradise (GOP) (Afromomum melegueta) (used as and in ) and the integration of honey production and grasscutter as alternative livelihood projects for forest fringe communities either within or outside the MTS with funding from ICCO and ITTO amongst others.

1.1 Objective of the Assessment The objective is to assess market development opportunities and constraints within specific value chains of GOP, Black pepper and Honey in the Nyamebekyere-Mankraso, Goaso Nyamebekyere- Goaso, and Asuodei-Goaso where ASNAPP and RUDEYA previously worked establishing NTFP farms. Brong-Ahafo region, especially in Asunafo North and South Districts where current ICCO partners are working. The specific objectives were to: 1) Undertake desktop synthesis of report for the three selected NTFPs (GOP, Black pepper and Honey) related to their uses and potential. 2) Estimate the availability of these NTFP (wild harvested and cultivated) in the communities and assess their harvesting and processing practices; 3) Identify constraints along the value chains, and design interventions to address them. 4) Provide technical and market information on a variety of these NTFPs and their possible demand in Ghana and the region.

2 ASNAPP 1.2 Expected Output Value chain/market assessment report for the NTFPs proposed above (report not exceeding 15 pages).

1.3 Approach and Methodology The study mainly relied on literature review and other studies conducted by ASNAPP within the area. Only project sites and the Kejetia central market in Kumasi were visited for this study to support or refute previous assertions in the findings of the baseline report (unpublished). The basic approach for the interview or data collection was participatory, interactive and informal due to the informal nature of the industry. Site visits were undertaken to the three communities and the Kejetia central market. Discussions were held with farmer groups, retailers and wholesalers to estimate commercial potential and existing production volumes. The list of literature reviewed and field pictures of people interviewed are attached in Appendix 2.

1.4 Limitations The study was limited in terms of number of communities and interviewees contacted. A lack of standardization and limited record keeping by the farmer groups made it difficult to determine quantities in estimating demand, but guesstimates were employed based on the consultant’s experience in the industry.

1.5 Brief Description of the Two Districts

1.5.1 Ahafo-Ano South District1 The Ahafo Ano South District in the Ashanti Region of the Republic of Ghana is one of the of the 30 administrative districts of the Ashanti Region. The district is located on latitude 6° 42' N and longitude 1° 45 N and 2° 20 W. It is bounded to the North-east by Tano North district of the Brong Ahafo region, north-west by the Ahafo Ano North District, to the south by the Atwima Nwabiagya District, and to the East by Offinso North District, all in the Ashanti Region. The total surface area the district covers about 11,907 km². The district capital, Mankraso, is located about 34 kilometres north-west of Kumasi on the Kumasi- Sunyani highway.

Mankranso ‒ translated literally to mean "on the river Mankran" ‒ is located 34 km north west of the Kumasi-Sunyani highway. Other major settlements surrounding the town include Adugyama, Wioso, Kunsu, Beposo, Kunsu, Mpasaaso and Domeabra. Mankranso lies within the semi-deciduous forest belts The vegetation is determined by rainfall and groundwater supplies. The climate of the district is of the wet semi-equatorial type and has a mean monthly temperature of 26 °C. It has two major rainfall patterns: the major season, from March-July and a minor season between September-November. It has a relative humidity ranging from 70%-

1 Based on the district analytical report of the 2010 population and housing census of the Ahafo Ano South District at http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010_District_Report/Ashanti/AHAFO%20ANO%20SOUTH%20.pdf.

3 ASNAPP 75%. The district is endowed with arable land and is suitable for the cultivation of food and cash crops The working population is usually engaged in agriculture and some areas are noted for rice production. About 76% of the workforce is engaged in agriculture. The agricultural products include cash crops such as cocoa, citrus, oil palm and food crops like plantain, cassava, cocoyam and vegetables. Livestock usually reared in most settlements in the district include goats, sheep and birds.

The district has enormous resources, although most are yet to be exploited. These include gold, , bauxite and granites.

The community visited in this district was Mankraso-Nyamebekyere.

1.5.2 Asunafo North Municipial2

The Asunafo North Municipial is a district located in the Brong Ahafo Region and was created in 2004 when the former Asunafo District was split into Asunafo North Muncipial and the Asunafo South District. It borders Asutifi District in the north-east, Dormaa Municipal in the north-west; Juaboso Bia and Sefwi-Wiaso Districts in the Western Region in the south-west; and Asunafo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region in the south-east. Goaso is the municipal capital. The area covers 1,412.0km2, more than one third of which consists of forest reserves.

The district has a wet semi-deciduous climate with a rainfall between 1250 and 1750 mm. Major rains are in April and July and minor rainy season occurs between September and October. The mean monthly temperature for the municipality is about 25.5 oC. located within the semi-deciduous forest belt of Ghana, and has many economic trees, including Antaris africana (kyenkyen), Clorophora excelsa (Odum), Ceiba pentandra (Onyina) and others. The forest is interspersed with secondary and fragmented forests due to farming, logging and settlements.

The Asunafo North Municipality is predominantly agrarian; 60.3% of the working population is active in the primary sector (agriculture, forestry and fisheries). Food crops include maize, cassava, plantain, cocoyam, yams and vegetables, whereas cocoa and are the main cash crops. The municipality has a cashew brandy processing , small-scale palm oil extraction, soap making, batik tie and dye industries etc.

The communities visited in this district were Goaso-Asuodei and Goaso-Nyamebekyere .

2 Based on the district analytical report of the 2010 population and housing census of the Asunafo North Municipality at http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010_District_Report/Brong%20Ahafo/Asunafo%20north.pdf.

4 ASNAPP 2.0 Findings

2.1 Mankraso-Nyamebekyere

2.1.1 Key Issues Black pepper planting materials were provided to this community since five years. Fifteen (15) farmers were initially involved in the cultivation of the black pepper. Over time, five (5) have remained with many abandoning their plots resulting from the continuous vegetative growth of the instead of reaching productive stage in year three (3). Effective acres under cultivation is set at 4 acres with each farmer working on approximately ¼ acre. The expected volume of black pepper production from these fields is estimated at 3MT per annum valued at over $9,000.

2.1.2 Access to services and Technical/Extension support The community complained about limited extension support. The farmers received training on the production of black pepper only once at the commencement of the project with RUDEYA and ASNAPP. No follow-up training was provided after the end of project although farmers maintained constant contact with project implementers (RUDEYA). From the farmers’ perspective, the technical knowledge transferred to them during the transplanting phase was inadequate and lacked experiential knowledge. For example, farmers who ignored the of Gliricidia in year one had fruiting of the vines, whilst others who adhered to it did not have their vines fruiting till date. Additionally, Gliricidia was planted in the same years as the black pepper instead of allowing the recommended lag of one year.

The lack of supplementary income from hard work for five (5) years is serving as a disincentive to most farmers.

2.1.3 Marketing support Although farmers complained about a lack of market, they have not started harvesting from their fields and did not have produce ready for sale. The issue of un-marketed produce was therefore not yet a challenge.

2.2 Goaso-Nyamebekyere

2.2.1 Key Issues This community benefited from direct support from ASNAPP for the cultivation of GOP with funding from ICCO whilst RUDEYA supported in the provision of bee hives for the production of honey. Farmers still had existing GOP farms.

GOP Fourteen farmers were served with over 30,000 seedlings of GOP cultivating a total of seven (7) acres (half acre per farmer). The expected yield over time is 3.5MT/annum valued at over $10,000.

5 ASNAPP Honey The communities were supplied with some bee hives expected to generate some gallons of honey. Presently, the beehives have been attacked by worms (description fits honey moths; see picture below) that invade it after initial production of honey, causing the bees to abandon the hives. Two farmers currently have four hives but with no honey due to this situation.

Fig. 1 Examples of honey moths

2.2.2 Access to Services Technical/Extension support

GOP No technical challenge was observed except for the drought that prevented fruiting last year.

Honey The farmers complained of receiving no response from RUDEYA after reporting the worm attack described above

2.2.3 Marketing support

GOP Over the years, farmers sold produce from farms making sales ranging from GHC 30 to GHC 120. However, no sales were recorded for last year as a result of the drought. They indicated marketing as a challenge that ASNAPP did not solve, but had no produce in stock as they had either used it or sold it to market women.

Honey Honey produced the previous years prior to the infestation was sold at the market as it was readily demanded and was therefore not a challenge for their level of production for the previous years.

6 ASNAPP 2.2.4 Inputs

GOP The tools used in cultivating and processing GOP are readily used and available in the communities.

Honey Most of the bee farmers who abandoned their bee hives raised the issue of unavailability of protective clothing at the marketing centres to harvest honey and/or control pest attacks.

2.3 Goaso-Asuodei

2.3.1 Current situation In this community, only one farmer had a few GOP pods less than half 50 kg rice bag unsold from the previous season’s harvest.

2.3.2 Access to Services Technical/Extension support They did not indicate any challenge for this support.

2.3.3 Marketing support The Team contacted one lead farmer who indicated he made purchases from the community the previous years. One lady did not sell her pods as she preferred selling to ASNAPP (Project Leaders) instead of other agents.

** ASNAPP failed to ensure communication to all beneficiaries was well received as one farmer complained that she she did not get the understanding from ASNAPP that she could sell the produce herself without selling through ASNAPP.

2.4 Market Centres

2.4.1 Adum Only a few shops visited at Adum had displayed some of the NTFPs on their shelves. The few that did, had their products well packaged.

Honey Well packaged honey was sold for GHC9/200mls bottle as displayed in the shops. However, 500mls was sold for GHC10 in the open market without proper packaging and labelling.

GOP and Black Pepper GOP and Black pepper displayed on the shelves were mainly imported from the USA and Asia. Most of these were however produced in Africa and processed and packed in the

7 ASNAPP developed countries. These are then imported and sold at higher prices. A 56.7 g milled black pepper and packed in plastic bottle is sold for GHC 15 in the supermarkets in Accra and Kumasi.

2.4.2 Kejetia Central Market The railway side of this market hosts over 30 major wholesalers and over 100 retailers of various of NTFPs. Wholesalers interacted with, indicated their capacity as follows: GOP: 41 3bags/month and black pepper: 2 bags/month. The two spices combined is valued at over $600,000/annum @ $324/kg for wholesalers at the Kejetia market alone. These were supplied from communities within Ghana or neighbouring countries

Supply Chain for NTFPs in Ghana

Source: ASNAPP 2008.

3 Averaging 80 kgs. 4 2.5 margarine cups equal 1 kg. 1 margarine cup @GHC4.8. EXR:4

8 ASNAPP 2.5 Value Chain map showing cost along the chain

2.5.1 Black Pepper

Retailer Farmer/Collector Aggregator Open markets - GHC27 GHC12/kg GHC21/kg Supermarkets (processed)- GHC260

**There exist varying prices for (Piper nigrum, the balamcota variety) and the indigenous variety . The offer price for the indigenous variety is slightly more than internationally recognized one due to its peculiar essential oils and the niche market it serves. Prices also vary per season. It is in abundance (lower prices) during the harvesting period from November to February.

2.5.2 GOP

Farmer/Collector Aggregator Retailer GHC18/kg GHC25/kg Open markets - GHC34

**Prices are low between February and June when harvesting is done.

2.5.3 Honey Retailer Farmer/Collector Open markets - GHC10/0.5l GHC8/0.5l Supermarkets (well packaged)- GHC22.5/0.5l

**Most honey producers sell directly to consumers or retailers and seldom have intermediaries.

9 ASNAPP 3.0 Recommendations 1) Entrepreneurs/agro-chemical shops need to be supported to setup and sell protective equipment for the harvesting of honey and treatment of pest attack.

2) Black pepper farmers need to partake in farmer-to-farmer exchanges at Duaponpor near Ejisu to ensure that they understand the techniques in production and of black pepper.

3) A virtual platform should be created and strengthened amongst farmers and major traders in the main markets. This is to ensure that products are readily sold when ready.

4) Agronomist/technical persons should be supported to pay visits to production sites at least every quarter to address teething issues and make recommendations where necessary. This should be done with MoFA staff to ensure transfer of technology to MoFA staff that is more sustainable.

5) Further study is needed to identify the right shading regime required for attaining maximum yield for the GOP and black pepper.

10 ASNAPP 4.0 Appendix 1: Product Profiles

4.1 Grains of Paradise

Botanical Name : melegueta K. Schum. Family : Commercial name : Melegueta pepper Gains of Paradise, Guinea Pepper, Local Names ( & Ghana) : Sensuo, Sler, Baaba, Wehbli, fomwisa

Botanical and Historical Background Meleguetta pepper is a tufted, leafy, herbaceous perennial (Fig.1). The has a short, scaly rhizome with a surface root system. The stem is 0.9 to 1.2 m high, covered by leaf sheaths up to 2 m in length, with alternate and sessile leaves, continuing into a sheath of the stem. The large purple to pink are trumped shaped with a single stamen. are ovoid in shape and tapered to a point, surrounded by a permanent calyx. Matured is red and contains a white pulp that surrounds the 1200 to 2000 . In , flowering begins in September and fruiting in December. Seeds are small (0.4 to 0.5 cm long), highly aromatic with grainy testa and white kernel, and have a very hot (Dokosi, 1998). Aframomum thrives in the forest areas of West Africa.

Meleguetta pepper or Aframomum is a spice native to tropical West Africa. In the 13th Century, traders from West Africa carried this spice across the desert to sell in Tripoli and later to Italy. The Italians called it “Grains of Paradise” because of its high value, and the secrecy of the country of its origin. Europe acquired a taste for the spice as a substitute for real pepper (Enti, 1988). In during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, many foodstuffs and drinks were flavored with Grains of Paradise along with other spices such as and . While its popularity in Europe declined over time, its use in West and North African continues. In , the of the pepper, mixed with other ingredients like butter, honey, peanuts and almonds, is used in after- dinner coffee. The spice is also used to rum and brandy. In Liberia and other West African countries the seeds are widely mixed with other for the treatment of body pains and rheumatism.

Traditional and Modern Medicinal Uses Traditionally, the seeds are chewed to cure dysentery, as a sedative against , to guard against rheumatism and migraine and to cure fever. The spice is also used as a sexual stimulant. Aframomum has been used in many herbal medicinal formulas. The is ground into a soft paste and this paste has been observed to have antibiotic properties

10 ASNAPP The methanolic extract of A. melegueta fruits exhibited significant properties against Gram (+), Gram (-) bacteria and fungi. The ethanolic of the seeds also showed activities against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. The extract also showed antioxidant properties that inhibited the formation of peroxides in groundnut oil. These results suggest that the of grains of paradise could be used as food preservatives (e.g. to extend shelf life of ). Other studies have demonstrated that A. melegueta phenols showed strong antifeedant activities against termite workers suggesting a protective role for these components against seed predators and could be used as alternative forms of insect control. It is also known to exhibit antitumor-promoting and antiproliferative activities. The high content of Zn in A. melegueta, may be of interest in improving under situations of Zn deficiency and its elevated concentrations of Se, could exert cancer prevention properties

Cultivation

Aframomum is propagated by seed or by rhizome division, and cultivated as a mono-crop. Division of rhizome is the preferred method. The plant can be successfully cultivated under cocoa plantations, in warm humid areas and under partial shade. Pruning of the old leaves is crucial for sustained plant growth. Seeds normally emerge 3 – 4 weeks after sowing. Seedlings can be transplanted to the field after six to eight weeks. The first crop can be harvested 9 to 11 months after transplanting. Under good management this plant can be cropped for up to 10 years. Afromomum is harvested between February and June, when the pod changes color from green to red. Green pods contain pale brown immature seeds that do not have the characteristic flavor. Red pods, however, contain the dark brown mature seeds that have a pungent taste. Pods, containing the seeds are sun-dried for about 7 days. In Ghana, about 20 tons are produced annually. Yields of 0.5 to 1.5 tons per acre are typical.

Seed Quality Seeds must be free from foreign materials, (twigs, stones, plastics and other products). Seeds must be clean and should be light-dark brown in color. It must also be free from mould and insect infestation and must dry up to 10% moisture content

References Dokosi, OB (1998). Herbs of Ghana. Ghana Universities Press, Accra Enti, AA (1998). The Rejuvinating of Tropical Africa; Ed. AK Andoh, FLS, The North Scale Institute, San Francisco Ghana Herbal Pharmacopoeia (1992), The Advent Press, Osu Accra H. Rodolfo Juliani, Cara Welch, Juliana Asante-Dartey, Dan Acquaye, Mingfu Wang, and James E. Simon Chemistry, quality and functional properties of Grains of Paradise (Aframomum meleguetta), a rediscovered spice( 2006)

Compiled by: ASNAPP

Send enquiries for product and price to:

Corporate e-mail: [email protected] PMB 18 Kanda Accra Ghana, W/A Tel: +233-21-505617 Fax: +233-21-505617 www.asnapp.org.gh

ASNAPP 11 4.2 Black Pepper

Product Name : Black Pepper Scientific Name : Piper nigrum Common Name : Black Pepper Local Name (Liberia & Ghana): Zembler, Lan, Sanapuaway, Sanipanpan, Sorowisa Ecology

and Botany

Black pepper is a viny perrrenial plant producing -like and aromatic pungent fruits and belongs to Family . Leaves are thick, green with ovate shape. Flowers are white and minute which produce fruits borne on short, hanging spikes. Berry-like fruits are green when unripe and become red at maturity.

Black Pepper has hundreds of varieties in many shapes and forms. The climbing pepper vines are known to reach a height of 10m with a woody main stem and green tops above. While the main shoots (which contain nodes) grow vertically, lateral shoots that grow the fruit extend horizontally. The leaves are heart-shaped or oval and waxy. Varieties are either hermaphrodites or single-sexed— the former can self-pollinate while the latter must use external means and only produce fruit on the female plants.

It is mostly grown in warm, tropical areas that have average temperatures of 25°C and occasionally cultivated on commercial basis in certain parts of West Africa.

Fig 1: The unripe clustered on a stalk Fig 2: The final Black pepper product, black and wrinkled also called peppercorn

Traditional and Modern Use

Black pepper is used as a in food preparation to enhance food acceptability. Essential oils cleoresions extracted from Black pepper are used in the preparation of elixir, a drug formulation for removal of round-worms in intestinal tract of human beings.

ASNAPP 12 Cultivation

Black pepper grows in almost all types of soil. However, it thrives well in loose, well-drained soil. It is best suited under humid climate with rainfall of 100 to 250 cm and in an elevation of 350 meters above sea level.

Usually pepper is propagated by seed, marcotting and by stem cutting from other mature plants. In this process, one of the strong main vines is cut—at least 30cm with three nodes. The plants can live up to 20 years and take 6-7 to reach peak production. Berry-like fruit is not produced until the second or third year. In one season, a single plant can produce about 2kg of peppercorns, while commercially planted peppers can max at 10kg. Black Pepper’s strong, spicy taste is due to its high content.

Selected references

Acquaye D. 1997; Feasibility studies on economic and export potential of some selected Medicinal Plants in Ghana (Griffonia, Voacanga and ) PORSPI 1992. Ghana Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Advance Press, Accra. Ghana. Mshana, N.R. et al; 2000. Traditional Medicine and Pharmacopoeia. Contribution to the Revision of Ethnobotanical and Floristic Studies in Ghana. Organization of African Unity/Scientific, technical and Research Commission. Pp.87 , 2003

Compiled by: ASNAPP Ghana

Send enquiries for product and price to: Juliana Asante-Dartey: asnapp- [email protected] Ghana

ASNAPP 13 Honey

Product Name : Honey Local Name ( Ghana) : Ewour (TWI) Ani Tsi (EWE)

Background Honey is a sugary food substance produced and stored by certain social hymenopteran insects. It is produced from the sugary secretions of plants or insects, such as floral nectar or aphid honeydew, through regurgitation, enzymatic activity, and water evaporation. The variety of honey produced by honey bees (the genus Apis) is the most well-known, due to its worldwide commercial production and human consumption.

Honey has been used by countless cultures all around the world over the past 2,500 years. While the numerous health benefits of honey have made it an important element of traditional medicines such as Ayurvedic treatments, scientists are also researching the benefits in relation to modern medicine, particularly in the healing of wounds.

It is known as Honig in German, Miele in Italian, Shahad in Hindi, Miel in French and Spanish, Mel in Portuguese, мед in Russian, Honing in Dutch, and μελι in Greek; there is almost no part in the world where honey is not widely used and celebrated as a part of the cultural diet.

Honey is collected from wild bee colonies, or from domesticated beehives.. The bees may first be pacified by using smoke from a bee smoker. The smoke triggers a feeding instinct (an attempt to save the resources of the hive from a possible fire), making them less aggressive and the smoke obscures the pheromones the bees use to communicate. The honeycomb is removed from the hive and the honey may be extracted from that, either by crushing or by using a honey extractor. The honey is then usually filtered to remove beeswax and other debris.

In 2013 alone, 1.7 million tonnes of honey were produced worldwide, with accounting for 28% of the world total. The next four largest producers – Turkey, , Ukraine, and Russia.

Health Benefits of Honey Its benefits include the following treatments, taken from both traditional and modern medical experts.

ASNAPP 14 Sweetener: It can be used as a substitute for in many food and drinks. It contains about 69% and , enabling it to be used as a sweetener that is better for your overall health than normal white sugar. Weight Loss: Though it has more calories than sugar when honey is consumed with warm water, it helps in digesting the stored in your body. Similarly, honey with lemon juice or cinnamon help in reducing weight. Energy Source: According to the USDA, honey contains about 64 calories per tablespoon. Therefore, it is used by many people as a source of energy. On the other hand, one tablespoon of sugar will give you about 15 calories. Furthermore, the in it can be easily converted into glucose by even the most sensitive stomachs, since it is very easy for the body to digest this pure, natural substance. Improving Athletic Performance: Recent research has shown that honey is an excellent ergogenic aid and helps in boosting the performance of athletes. It is a great way to maintain blood sugar levels, muscle recuperation, and glycogen restoration after a workout, as well as regulating the amount of insulin in the body, as well as energy expenditure. Source of and Minerals: It contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. The type of vitamins and minerals and their quantity depends on the type of flowers used for apiculture. Commonly, honey contains C, and . If you check the vitamin and mineral content in regular sugar from any other source, you will find it to be completely absent or insignificant. Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties: It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, so it is often used as a natural antiseptic in traditional medicines. Antioxidants: It contains nutraceuticals, which are very effective for the removal of free radicals from the body. As a result, our body immunity is improved against many conditions, even potentially fatal ones like cancer or heart .

Selected references Crane E (1990). "Honey from honeybees and other insects". Ethology Ecology & Evolution. 3 (sup1): 100–105. 2017. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/health-benefits-of-honey.html (retrieved on January 25, 2017) Full Report (All ): 19296, Honey". USDA National Database, Agricultural Research Service, Release 28. 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.

Compiled by: ASNAPP Ghana

Send enquiries for product and price to: Juliana Asante-Dartey: [email protected] Ghana

ASNAPP 15 5.0 Appendix 2: Field Pictures

Figure 1:Interview Sessions and Farmers Field

ASNAPP 16 Figure 2: Shop and Some Products

ASNAPP 17 6.0 References 1) ASNAPP (2007). Overview of the natural plant products markets for West Africa based on profiles of selected case studies in Ghana. A report submitted to Forest Trends, Washington, USA. 2) ASNAPP (2009). Market Survey and Value Chain Analysis of Non-Timber Products (NTFPs) In Ghana. A Case Study of two districts in the Brong-Ahafo Region 3) SFMP-G 2015. Project Completion Report - Sustainable Forest Management Partnership-Ghana

ASNAPP 18