Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP)
More than 95% of the world’s sweet potato crop is grown in developing countries, where it is the fifth most important food crop. African farmers produce about 7 million tons of sweet potato annually, mostly for human consumption. It is an extremely rich source of beta-carotene, an naturally occurring pigment that the body converts into vitamin A. Eating orange sweet potato has been shown to improve vitamin A status of children (Source: international potato center).
In Ghana, Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato is promoted by the Government of Ghana (Ministry of Health) due to its exceptional high amount of dietary nutrients which protect infants during pregnancy. Nonetheless, It has little received attention of promotions through cultivation at various rural community by farmers. Hence, Mangrove as a Non-Profit Organisation possesses and its equipped with the Know-how on Production/Cultivation of OFSP to accomplish the Feed the Future’s Core indicator of combating food insecurity and mal-nutrition.
Snail meat has been consumed by humans worldwide since prehistoric times. It is high in protein (12-16%) and iron (45-50 mg/kg), low in fat, and contains almost all the amino acids needed by humans. A recent study has also shown that the glandular substances in edible snail meat cause agglutination of certain bacteria, which could be of value in fighting a variety of ailments, including whooping cough. Edible snails also play an important role in folk medicine.
In Ghana, the bluish liquid obtained from the shell when the meat has been removed is believed to be good for infant development. The high iron content of the meat is considered important in treating anaemia. In the past, it was recommended for combating ulcers and asthma.
Mushrooms production in Ghana has been an immemorial practice. In natural breeding, this is where mushrooms are picked by handy from predominant growing areas such as forests, Oil palm plantations, food-crops farms, etc. by rural folks. In other words, in Man-made mushroom production systems, growth medium/substrate, Spore, etc. materials are intentionally used for its cultivation, control of pest & diseases, harvesting and marketing.
Mushrooms are used extensively in cooking in many cuisines and home-made meals, it is a low-calorie food eaten cooked, raw or as a garnish to a meal. Mushrooms can be used for dyeing wool and other natural fibers.
The NGO has successfully received a grant for a one year (June 2016 – May 2017) advocacy action on land rights for farmers in the Gomoa East and Awutu Senya Districts of the Central region. This action is being funded by the Busac Fund with financial contributions coming from United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union (EU), and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
This action seeks to address to devastating effects of land grabbing and sand winning activities in the two districts of the central region and advocate for land banks and fair compensation to be paid to farmers who have their farmlands destroyed through sand winning activities.
The NGO has since 2014 worked closely with Hen Mpoano (Our Coast) in undertaking various support services. The project which Mangrove professionals’ help worked on included the Greater Amanzule wetlands conservation project.
Hen Mpoano is leading the conservation and development of sustainable utilization and management practices for over 50,000 hectares of wetlands in the Nzemaland. Land based livelihood options for beneficiary farmers, fishers and wetland resource users have been introduced in selected communities in Ellembelle and Jomoro districts to incentivize wetland conservation. This includes the development and community-driven implementation of management plans for the wetlands.