Beyond Participation: The Effect of Fertilizer Subsidy on the Adoption of Certified Seeds Among Rice Farmers in Northern Ghana

Abstract

This study examined the effect of farmers’ participation in the Government of Ghana fertilizer subsidy program on adoption of certified seeds among rice farmers in Northern Ghana. A multistage sampling technique was used to obtain primary data from 543 rice farmers from three regions in Northern Ghana through questionnaire administration. A multivariate probit regression model was employed to examine the factors influencing farmers’ participation in the fertilizer subsidy program and adoption of certified rice seeds. Also, Heckman’s Two-Stage Model was used to examine the effect of farmers’ participation in the fertilizer subsidy program on the adoption of certified rice seeds. The results revealed that farmers’ participation in the fertilizer subsidy program had a positive significant influence on the adoption of certified rice seeds. Age, education, access to training on rice production and use of irrigation had positive significant influence on farmers’ adoption of certified rice seeds. This study recommends that the fertilizer subsidy program should be up-scaled to benefit more farmers for effective adoption of certified seeds to foster increased agricultural productivity.