We developed a spatially explicit model to investigate land-use conflicts between food and bioenergy crop cultivation in the Bono region, Ghana. Specifically, we investigate the competing interests between bioenergy companies and farmers and the factors that may drive Ghanaian farmers' decision to cultivate Jatropha and the implications for food security in the country. We are currently using the spatially explicit model as a computational laboratory to examine the consequences of different socio-cognitive behaviours of the various players involved and explore the local farmers’ adaptive responses to different socioeconomic conditions, as well as the associated effects on food security.
Spatial and temporal dynamics of food and bioenergy crop cultivation in Brong-Ahafo region, Ghana.