Ghana’s Planting for Food and Jobs Programme: A Look at the Role of Capability in Farmers’ Participation

Abstract

An objective interpersonal comparison of wellbeing requires that people’s capabilities are considered. This paper operationalises Sen’s capability concept in maize-based farming systems and assesses how it influences farmers’ participation in the Planting for Food and Jobs programme in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District of the Northern Region, Ghana. We used data from 315 households collected through multi-stage sampling procedure. Capability was quantified using factor analysis, while its determinants were identified through multiple linear regression analysis. Afterwards, an instrumental variable probit model was used to examine the effect of capability on programme participation. We identified two attributes of capability, which were labelled as human capability and institutional capability. T hese capability attributes are significantly enhanced by availability of markets and good roads. Our results provide evidence that the two attributes of capability influence farmers’ participation in the Planting for Food and Jobs programme. The findings indicate that, for effective participation in agricultural interventions, farmers’ capabilities need to be enhanced. This could be achieved through the provision of, and/or improvement in infrastructure, including roads and markets in remote production centres.