Assessment of impacts of adoption of improved sweetpotato varieties in Ghana: accounting for differences in male and female farmers

Abstract

New agricultural technologies, such as high yielding varieties and improved agronomic practices could significantly increase agricultural productivity leading to improved welfare of those who participate in them. Feedback effects on adoption of agricultural technologies in low-income countries are important in prioritization of funding to the agricultural sector. Through a multistage randomized sample of 526 farmers and employing propensity score matching technique to correct selection bias, the study assessed the effect of adoption of improved sweetpotato varieties on farmers’ yields and incomes comparing separate effects on men and women farmers. Results revealed that income and yield increased with adoption. Men benefited more than women due to access to extension, improved varieties and productive inputs. Nonetheless, men and women had significant increases in yield and income. Results also showed that land and credit play a role in adoption of technologies. Supporting research extension systems to promote and disseminate improved varieties is recommended.