Productivity and Efficiency Differentials Across Land Ownership Categories: Evidence from Smallholder Crop Farmers in Ghana

Climate Change Information regarding adaptation strategies for ensuring sustainable agriculture and maximising crop yields has gained global concern; however, its effects on smallholder crop farmers’ activities remain inadequate. This study employed the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to examine the effects of climate change information on the adaptation techniques used by smallholder crop farmers in Ghana’s Sissala East Municipality. A mixed method approach was utilised to gather quantitative and qualitative data from 306 crop farmers and 23 key informants, respectively to explore how farmers receive, understand, and act on climate information, focusing on three main factors – attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. The findings show that smallholder crop farmers’ accessibility to climate change information increases their knowledge, preparation, and chance of using adaptation tactics in their farming activities. Notably, factors such as gender, education level, age, and farm size impacted access to various forms of climatic information. The findings further indicate that radio and agricultural extension personnel are the most prominent and trusted sources of climate change information, with social interactions and personal experiences serving as major methods for processing the information. Statistical analysis with the Multivariate Probit Model and chi-square tests revealed that climate change knowledge strongly predicts farmers’ adaptation measures. The study backs up TPB’s thesis that farmers’ behavioural intentions, influenced by their beliefs, norms, and self-efficacy, are critical to understand their adaptive behaviours in the face of climatic unpredictability.

PurposeThe study aims to estimate the rates of exposure to, and adoption of, rural bank credit programs by smallholder farmers in rural Ghana and the factors responsible for those rates.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a random sample of 300 smallholder farmers in the Fanteakwa District of Ghana, obtained through the multistage sampling technique. The study also employed the average treatment effects approach to estimate the average treatment effect of farmers’ exposure to rural bank credit programs, on their adoption of such programs.FindingsThe actual adoption rate is approximately 41%, and the potential, conditional on the whole population being aware of rural bank credit programs, is approximately 61%. Accordingly, there is a gap of about 20% in the adoption of rural bank credit programs, and is due to the incomplete exposure of smallholder farmers to the rural bank credit programs. Age of the household head, access to extension services, membership in farmer-based organizations and active savings accounts with a rural bank are the major contributors to smallholder farmer exposure to and the adoption of rural bank credit programs.Originality/valueThe current study is the first of its kind to be conducted in Ghana on rural bank credit programs. It takes into account the extent to which smallholder farmers are exposed to such credit programs and how it influences their decisions to access or adopt.

This study investigated three institutions that provide support services for cocoa farmers in Ghana. These institutions are: extension, Farmer - Based Organisations (FBOs) and Licenced Buying Companies (LBCs) in three cocoa producing regions of Ghana, namely: Ahafo, Bono and Western North regions. The sample size for the study was seven hundred (700) cocoa farmers; comprising two hundred and fifty (250) cocoa farmers each selected from Ahafo and Western North regions and two hundred (200) cocoa farmers from Bono region. Simple random sampling procedure was employed to interview farmers using structured questionnaires. Five point ‘Likert’ scale perception index coded from 1-5 ("Strongly Disagree," to "Strongly Agree.“) was used to evaluate farmers’ perception on support services and the results obtained indicated that the majority of farmers agree to extension and FBO supports. The overall perception index of extension was 3.84 and FBO 3.63 indicating farmers agreement to extension and FBO supports. Farmers were neutral to LBC support (2.87). Multivariate Ordered Probit model was used to determine factors that influence farmers’ perceptions on support services. Years of formal education positively influenced extension and FBO supports at 1% level of significance. Household size positively influenced extension support at 1% level whilst negatively influenced LBC service at 10% level of significance.

High temperature, erratic rainfall, and drought are the three major physical manifestations of climate change in Ghana. Smallholder farmers in Ghana have shown vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, with some farmers employing migration as an adaptation mechanism. Using primary data collected from 500 maize farmers in seven districts of Ghana, our study draws a link among climate perception, migration and productivity of maize farmers by estimating a two-step Heckman sample selection model and employing inductive coding to analyse the qualitative data. The results show that farmers’ experience, access to farm credit, farm size, location, usage of NPK fertilizer, and local seeds have positive impact on the productivity of maize farmers. Additionally, household size, main occupation, membership in farmer-based organisations, and perception of declined soil fertility have significant effects on migration decisions of smallholder maize farmers. The qualitative reports show that perceived increase in temperature, drought, flooding, and erratic rainfall has led to a decline in the productivity of maize farmers. Among others, we recommend that relevant stakeholders (i.e., policy makers and NGOs in the agricultural space) should focus on promoting the use of improved seeds, and NKP fertilizer, coupled with the provision of farm credit and expansion of farm sizes to enhance the productivity of maize farmers in Ghana. Also, smallholder farmers should be supported to engage in alternative livelihood enterprises, join farmer-based organisations and to adopt techniques that enhance soil fertility in order to reduce climate-induced migration among maize farmers.

This study evaluates the effect of social capital on farmers’ adoption of subsidized seedlings and fertilizer for cocoa farmers in Ghana. We distinguish three types of social capital: network social capital, relationship social capital, and community social capital. Network social capital refers to the peer-to-peer information flow about product benefits reaching farmers, therefore closing the information asymmetry that prevents farmers from social learning about crop risk management through inputs adoption. Relationship social capital considers the role of social status in getting facilitated access to inputs through connections with extension officers who facilitate information dissemination about input benefits, and moreover potentially help bypass the government criteria in getting access to inputs themselves. Finally, community social capital concerns the community collective income, community size and reachability relative to the cooperative main office.We find that network social capital has a significant effect on adoption of subsidized seedlings, to an extent where it allows farmers to bypass subsidy qualification criteria for access to seedlings imposed by the government. This applies even more so for group and village leaders. Subsidized fertilizer uptake, on the other hand, is less dependent on social capital. We argue that this difference results from the risk involved in adopting seedlings versus fertilizer. In the case of seedlings adoption, relying on information provided by the social network promotes sharing of benefits of hybrid varieties, and thus reduces the risk of its application. Adoption of fertilizer, on the other hand, is not correlated with social capital because fertilizer application is less risky to farmers. They can easily switch from using fertilizer to not using fertilizer. Access to both inputs is influenced by government inputs’ eligibility criteria, namely having mapped farm. However, we find that 15% and 29% of farmers respectively have access to seedlings and fertilizer, even though their farms are not mapped. Our findings suggest that for governments to stimulate uptake of substantive inputs, such as seedlings, subsidies should coincide with attention to social capital and fair distribution of inputs.

Purpose This paper examines the nexus between input credit access, farm performance and food nutrition in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Using a random sample of 239 smallholder rice farmers, we utilized the endogenous switching regression model to address the self-selection issue and estimate the impact of input credit access on farm performance and food nutrition and further analyze the heterogenous impacts. Findings The results show that socioeconomic (age, education, sex, off-farm activity and farm size), institutional (extension contact and farmer-based organizations) characteristics and location variable significantly influence the decision to access input credit. After adjusting for both observed and unobserved factors, our findings reveal that access to input credit significantly improves rice yield, net profit and food nutrition of smallholder rice farmers in Ghana. Furthermore, results reveal that the effects of input credit access on rice yield, net profit and food nutrition are heterogeneous and subject to farmers’ propensity to access input credit. Specifically, we find that those with a higher inclination to access input credit experience larger positive impacts, indicating a positive selection process. Research limitations/implications Access to agricultural input credit is essential for the adoption of modern and climate-smart technologies in agricultural production. However, the persistent lack of access to input credit hampers agricultural productivity and constrains investment in farm input resources in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our study calls for proper targeting of input credit interventions to incentivize the uptake of farm input credit such as improved seeds and fertilizers to improve overall crop production and achieve food security. Originality/value The study utilized rigorous econometric methods to analyze the impact of input credit access on smallholder rice farmers' farm performance and food nutrition in Ghana. The findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers and future research on agricultural development in Ghana.

Financial exclusion continues to be a major challenge to smallholder farmers' participation in agricultural value chains in developing countries. Digitizing procurements and other forms of transactions using mobile money technology among value chain actors is essential for ensuring financial inclusion and enhancing agricultural value chain transformation. This study examines the factors influencing the adoption of mobile money technology and the impact of the technology on production input use and farm output, utilizing data from a cross‐sectional survey of smallholder rice farmers in northern Ghana. A linear regression with endogenous treatment effects method is employed to account for both observable and unobservable selection bias. The results reveal positive and significant marginal effect of mobile money technology on input use and farm output. Adopters of the technology applied 18% and 13% more fertilizer and herbicides, respectively than nonadopters. The output increased by about 4% for the adopters. The results also show that mobile money technology adoption, input use and farm output are significantly influenced by education, farmer‐based organization (FBO) membership, access to credit, input prices, and location fixed effects. Expansion of mobile technology networks, increased investment in education, credit facilities, and FBOs can be quite relevant in promoting the adoption of mobile money technology in Ghana. [EconLit citations: C34, C35, Q12, Q13]

Soil fertility depletion is considered one of the main biophysical limiting factors for increasing per capita food production for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The adoption and diffusion of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs), as a way to tackle this challenge, has become an important issue in the development policy agenda in the region. This paper examines the adoption decisions for SAPs, using recent primary data of multiple plot-level observations collected in 4 districts and 60 villages of rural Tanzania. The paper employs a multivariate probit technique to model simultaneous interdependent adoption decisions by farm households. The analysis reveals that rainfall, insects and disease shocks, government effectiveness in provision of extension services, tenure status of plot, social capital, plot location and size, and household assets, all influence farmer investment in SAPs. Policies that target SAPs and are aimed at 1 Corresponding author: Menale Kassie: m.kassie@cgiar.org. Tel: 254(20) 722 4628; Fax : 254(20) 7224600. 2 organizing farmers into associations, improving land tenure security, and enhancing skills of civil servants can increase uptake of SAPs in smallholder systems.

The main objective of this research project was to identify current cocoa production practices and determine the principal factors that affect the adoption of sustainable farming practices and socio-environmental certifications among small-scale cocoa farmers in Ghana. The study was conducted in two cocoa districts (Atwima Mponua and Ahafoano North) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A combination of stratified, systematic and random sampling techniques was employed to select 439 cocoa producing households for the study. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to gather field data through personal interviews. Results showed that membership in farmers' organizations, awareness of certification and size of cocoa farm were the main determinants of willingness to adopt sustainable cocoa production methods and certifications. Whereas membership in farmer-based organizations and awareness about different aspects related to certification had a significant positive effect on adoption of cocoa certification, farm size tended to have a significant negative effect on adoption of certification. Formation of cocoa farmers' associations/organizations in various communities, creation of awareness about certification and continuous education of cocoa farmers are recommended to stimulate adoption of cocoa certification to achieve sustainability in the Ghanaian cocoa industry.

Drivers and intensity of adoption of digital agricultural services by smallholder farmers in Ghana

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam), the third most significant root and tuber crop globally, is crucial for improving livelihoods, health, and food security, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its potential, sweet potato production in Ghana remains dominated by small-scale farmers, with yields often falling below the expected average of 2 tons per hectare. This study investigates the determinants and extent of adoption of Orange Flesh Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties among smallholder farmers in the northeastern hills of Ghana. Utilizing cross-sectional data from 342 farmers across four districts in the Upper East and Northern regions, the Cragg double-hurdle model was used to analyze the factors influencing OFSP adoption. The results indicate that factors such as gender, family size, membership in Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs), access to vines, training frequency, off-farm income, and farmers’ perceptions of early maturity and high yield potential significantly influence OFSP adoption. Furthermore, farm size, access to formal credit, market proximity, vine access, duration of OFSP consumption, regional differences, and yield levels were identified as key variables affecting the intensity of adoption. The study recommends that policymakers collaborate with banking and cooperative institutions to enhance access to vines and formal credit, thereby fostering higher adoption rates.

Although policy and advisory communities have promoted the use of digital advisory services (DAS) to stimulate technology adoption among smallholder farmers, little is known about whether DAS use encourages farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural (CSA) technologies. This study addresses the gap by estimating data collected from 3197 maize-producing households in rural Ghana and considering three CSA technologies: row planting, zero tillage, and drought-tolerant seeds. A recursive bivariate probit model is utilized to mitigate selection bias issues. The results show that DAS use significantly increases the probabilities of adopting row planting, zero tillage, and drought-tolerant seeds by 12.4%, 4.2%, and 4.6%, respectively. Maize farmers’ decisions to use DAS are influenced by their age, gender, education, family size, asset value, distance to farm, perceived incidence of pest and disease, perceived drought stress, and membership in farmer-based organizations (FBO). Furthermore, the disaggregated analysis reveals that DAS use has a larger impact on the row planting adoption of female farmers than males.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the key factors that influence the adoption of agrochemicals on plantain farms in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs probit estimation using data from a stratified random sample of 249 farmers in four districts in Ghana.FindingsThe results show that adoption of agrochemicals is positively associated with: being literate, older than 40 years of age, having higher income from sales, living in villages distant to Accra (capital of Ghana), having access to hi‐tech machinery, being migrant, and being linked to extension services and financial institutions. Contrary to expectation, a farmer's gender and association with farmer‐based organizations (FBO) and non‐governmental organizations (NGO) did not make a difference.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that there are no exclusions to innovation systems such as agrochemical adoption based on gender or living in rural areas; women are just as technologically empowered as men, while rural farmers have an option to retain their indigenous management practices or adopt new and improved practices such as using agrochemicals. Major efforts to improve access to agrochemical adoption lie with government extension officers, as the functions of FBO and NGO have yet to make a significant difference. More needs to be done to bring young, illiterate, low income and indigene farmers into inclusive plantain science techniques and applications in Ghana.Originality/valueThe paper reveals how vulnerable groups such as rural populations and women plantain farmers are being included in systems that support agrochemical adoption.

This paper analyzes the influence of social capital on the farmers' perception of the soil erosion problem and the level of investments in soil conservation in marginal areas of Kenya. It uses data from a survey of 321 households in Machakos and Taita-Taveta Districts. A Heckman's two-step model is applied to assess the influence of social capital on investments in soil conservation by farmers. Results show that the education level of the household head, slope of farmers' fields, proportion of off-farm income, and the status of soil erosion are significant determinants of the likelihood of farmers recognizing soil erosion as an important problem. Household size, slope, land tenure security, membership diversity, age of household head, farm size per capita and membership in groups influence investments in soil control measures such as terraces. The effects, however, are location-specific. The policy challenge is to establish and strengthen social capital elements that have a strong influence on communities undertaking soil conservation measures to promote sustainable agriculture, and improve land tenure security.

Adoption of interrelated sustainable agricultural practices in smallholder systems: Evidence from rural Tanzania