Abstract
This paper assesses the impact of the information communication technology (ICT)-based market information service (MIS) on farm households in the eastern corridor of Northern Ghana. Data was collected from 346 farm households in the eastern corridor of Northern Ghana where an ICT-based market information project was implemented between 2006 and 2009. The sample included 159 participants and 187 non-participants. The logit model was used to identify factors which influence the probability of participation in the ICT market information project, while propensity score matching (PSM) was used to assess the project impact. Results indicate that age and value of assets were negatively related to the likelihood of participation in ICT-based MIS. A unit increase in age reduced likelihood of participation by 0.5%, while a unit increase in value of assets reduces likelihood of participation by 7%. Previous participation in a development project increased likelihood of participation by more than 60%. Participation in the ICT-based project increased expenditure on pesticides, and food security by 11%. More participants (13%) used improved seed than non-participants. It is recommended that younger persons are made the target/focus group for ICT projects and that the private and public sectors collaborate to facilitate wide availability and expanded use of ICT MIS. Key words: Information communication technology (ICT), agricultural market information, smallholders, Ghana.
Highlights
Development of the agricultural sector in many African countries hinges on the development of the smallholder systems that have sustained African agriculture to date but continue to face challenges of low productivity and limited access to remunerative markets
5.2%, it has lagged behind Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 5.9% [Institute of Statistical Social and Economic research (ISSER), 2005 - 2010]
The analysis of determinants of participation was conducted on the 187 households in beneficiary communities, who were aware of the project and could choose to participate or not
Summary
Development of the agricultural sector in many African countries hinges on the development of the smallholder systems that have sustained African agriculture to date but continue to face challenges of low productivity and limited access to remunerative markets. The information communication technology (ICT) for Accelerated Development (Republic of Ghana, 2003b) policy aims among others, to facilitate the modernization of the agricultural sector through the deployment and exploitation of ICTs to improve the sector’s efficiency and productivity. Farmers were trained to access and provide market information through text message alerts using cellular phones Prior to this intervention, SEND Foundation had been promoting agricultural activities and cooperative credit unions with the goal of enhancing food security in the area. This paper assesses impact of the ICT-based MIS implemented in north-east of Ghana It identifies factors which influenced participation in the ICTbased market information project, and assesses the impact of the use of the ICT-based MIS on the level of commercialisation and food security, which are the SEND project goals
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