Farmers In sub-Saharan Africa Research Articles

Perspectives on the adoption of black-soldier fly larvae for animal feed among livestock farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

IntroductionBlack soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are increasingly promoted as cost-effective, and environmentally friendly source of protein in animal nutrition. However, there is limited information about farmers' adoption rates and the factors influencing their adoption decisions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This article assesses livestock farmers' actual and potential adoption rates of BSFL and determinants of their adoption decisions.MethodsIn this paper, we used the treatment effect framework approach on data collected from 1,885 fish, poultry, and pig smallholder farmers in five cities of four West and Central African countries, including Kinshasa and Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Accra in Ghana, Bamako in Mali, and Niamey in Niger.Results and discussionThe results show that about 20 percent of surveyed farmers are aware of BSFL as a protein source in animal feed, and the actual adoption rate of BSFL is four percent. However, the treatment effect analysis showed that the adoption rate could quadruple if all farmers were aware. This result suggests that successful awareness creation can boost the actual adoption of BSFL, which currently stands at four percent. The awareness creation should target educated livestock farmers with access to group membership, credit, extension services, and diversified income sources to influence their decisions to adopt BSFL as a source of protein in animal feed.

A Framework for Fourth Industrial Revolution Adoption by Small-Scale Rural Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

Climate change is witnessed in unpredictable weather conditions that negatively affect human lives, economies, and farming worldwide. This results in severe heat waves and a shift in rainfall patterns. This is a major global threat to agriculture and food security, especially for rural farmers. Small-scale rural-based farmers contribute immensely to local communities’ socio-economic well-being and food security. However, most of the small-scale rural farmers are constrained, especially regarding resources. There is a need for the agricultural industry in rural areas to adopt the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies to predict and make well-informed decisions on how to manage existing, often constrained resources efficiently. Government support, in various forms, is equally needed. Furthermore, adopting 4IR by small-scale rural farmers will assist countries in the Sub-Saharan African region in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Number 2 on ‘Zero Hunger’ by achieving food security and promoting smart, sustainable agriculture. However, there is a deficiency in the literature on 4IR adoption frameworks to guide small-scale rural farmers in adopting 4IR tools to manage their resources and promote sustainable agriculture. This study aims to develop a 4IR adoption framework that could guide small-scale rural farmers in adopting 4IR tools for managing their resources and promoting smart agriculture. A systematic literature review approach is employed to identify critical components significant for adopting 4IR in rural farming. Rural farmers may use this framework as a guiding lens when adopting 4IR tools. This study broadens the scope of the scant literature on the best practices for adopting 4IR for smart small-scale rural farming in Sub-Saharan Africa and other developing nations with similar setups. The smart-scale rural farming is mainstreamed within the smart village concept and the greenfield orgreen economy resilient to harsh climate change conditions.

Estimating the impact of conservation agriculture adoption on crop productivity under rain-fed system (Ethiopia): a counterfactual approach analysis

Few initiatives have been made to raise awareness of Conservation Agriculture (CA) and how it has improved the lives of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. This study seeks to analyze the crop productivity impact of CA in the Farta district of Ethiopia. Cross-sectional household data was collected in 2018/19 in the two agro-ecological zones of the study area. Mean comparison of CA farmers’ characteristics with respect to count of adult males in family and number of farm plots fragmented; and educational attainment, differ statistically from their counterparts. The impact of CA adoption was estimated using counterfactual outcome approach by employing Propensity Score Matching (PSM) based on a sample of CA matched with the non-CA farmers. Initially a binary outcome variable indicating whether a farmer adopted CA was estimated as a primary outcome while crop productivity as a secondary outcome variable of interest measured in kg/hectare of farmland in logarithmic form. From a total of 322 subjects included 168 CA and 154 non-CA farmers, four treated cases (CA farmers) were discarded from the analysis using estimator of kernel matching with no bandwidth. The Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) was used as a relevant statistical measure. The advantage was taken by CA farmers as CA practice has brought increment in 1.08 kilogram of crop produced per hectare of farmland. Despite CA’s practice found with small effect as observed at T-value of 1.65 at less than 1 percent level of significance. Possible reasons may include farmers’ interest to increase production at the expense of cultivating large farmland size for crop production and the failure to implement the full practices necessary to improve crop productivity. The project's findings highlighted the need for policies that support and enable a more frequent and successfully established communication link between farmers with agricultural experts at the regional, zonal, and district levels, as well as agricultural extension personnel at the local level. There should be more attention to sustainable agricultural practices through adopting crop and soil management system on farmland, improving soil quality consistently for improved crop productivity. Key words: Rainfed production, Conservation Agriculture, crop productivity, Propensity Score Matching, Ethiopia

Cowpea genetic diversity, population structure and genome-wide association studies in Malawi: insights for breeding programs.

This study focuses on cowpea, a vital crop for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Malawi. The research aimed to understand the genetic diversity and population structure of cowpea and to perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify marker-trait associations (MTAs) for yield and related traits. These insights are intended to support varietal development and address agricultural challenges in Malawi. A total of 306 cowpea genotypes were characterized using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and morphological traits. The study assessed the effects of genotype, location, and their interactions on morphological traits. The Fixed and Random Model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU) algorithm was used to identify significant MTAs. The morphological traits showed significant genotype, location, and interaction effects. Genotypes MWcp24, MWcp47, MWcp2232, and TVu-3524 yielded the highest values. Grain yield was positively correlated with peduncle length, seeds per pod, and pods per plant. Three distinct clusters were identified based on morphological traits. Genetic diversity analysis revealed an average minor allele frequency of 0.31, observed heterozygosity of 0.06, and gene diversity of 0.33. The average inbreeding coefficient was 0.82, indicating a high level of inbreeding. Most of the genetic variation (73.1%) was found among genotypes within populations. Nine groups and ancestral populations were identified, which did not entirely overlap with geographic origins. Sixteen significant MTAs were linked to six morphological traits. The validation of these identified MTAs, along with the observed genetic diversity, offers valuable opportunities for cowpea improvement through marker-assisted selection, to addresses the challenges faced by Malawian farmers. The identification of thirty cowpea lines as key founder lines for breeding programs in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania is a significant outcome. These efforts aim to develop more productive cowpea lines for the region, enhancing food security and agricultural sustainability.

Empirical and methodological foundations on the impact of climate-smart agriculture on food security studies: Review.

The progress of Ethiopia's agriculture is constrained by climate change leaving smallholder farmers vulnerable. As a panacea to the challenge, development institutions, governments, and research organizations are progressively promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA) to maximize productivity, increase the resilience of livelihoods and farming systems (adaptation), and minimize or stop greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere (mitigation). This review synthesized knowledge on the prospects of CSA and climate change in addressing the adverse effects of climate change and variability by revising 99 peer-reviewed journal articles. The results depict that smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa are highly impacted due to their reliance on the rain-fed agriculture production system. From several available CSA technologies in the study area, the review found that small-scale irrigation is the dominant option promoted in addition to improved animal husbandry and other technologies. Secondly, adoption differs across farmers and there can never be a one-size-fits-all approach in promoting adoption in farming societies. Thirdly, the key to spearheading the adoption of CSA is the active involvement of all actors along the value chain from the buyers to input suppliers of agricultural commodities. Moreover, the review indicated that development partners and the government have played a crucial role as evidenced by the CSA roadmap that supports CSA initiatives. Future CSA research should focus on agroecology and area-specific practices using simulation analysis and resource programming for a wider policy implication.

Effect of abootre (Senna siamea) leafy biomass and NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer on the growth and yield of hot pepper, Capsicum frutescens (L.)

Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa are often deterred from using fertilizers on their crops due to the high cost of inorganic fertilizers and the environmental strain associated with intensive agriculture, which relies heavily on inputs. However, a comprehensive understanding of how the integration of organic biomass, such as Senna siamea leafy biomass, and conventional fertilizers like NPK (15:15:15) impacts the growth and yield of specific crops like hot pepper is lacking. A field experiment was carried out at the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Demonstration Farm, KNUST-Kumasi, Ghana in 2023 to assess the effect of S. siamea leafy biomass and NPK (15:15:15) inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) in a randomized complete block design. Four treatments were used and allocated as T1 (Control), T2 (0.096kg of NPK), T3 (0.32063kg of S. siamea leafy biomass) and T4 (0.1532kg of S. siamea leafy biomass + 0.048kg of NPK). The treatments were replicated four times. The parameters investigated were; height, number of leaves, fruit yield and fruit dry weight. Treatments showed significant difference between them in the parameters investigated on, p?0.05. The combined application of S. siamea leafy biomass and NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer significantly increased the growth in height (42.75 cm), number of leaves (40.75), fruit yield (305291 fruits/ha) and dry fruit weight (484 kg/ha) of hot pepper compared to the sole application of the individual materials and the control, p?0.05. In terms of effect of these treatments, T4 [(0.1532 kg of S. siamea leafy biomass + 0.048 kg NPK (15:15:15)] favored the growth and yield of hot pepper the most, followed by the sole application of S. siamea leafy biomass T3 (0.32063 kg of S. siamea leafy biomass), sole NPK (0.09 kg of NPK) and then T1 (control) recording the lowest growth in height (19.32 cm), number of leaves (21.25), fruit yield (129693 fruits/ha) and fruit dry weight (115 kg/ha) of hot pepper. Therefore, the combined application of T4[(0.1532 kg of S. siamea leafy biomass + 0.048 kg NPK (15:15:15)] could be adopted by farmers as an economically fit fertilizer treatment for optimum hot pepper performance. Additionally, S. siamea leafy biomass might be adopted by hot pepper farmers as an alternative to inorganic in terms of cost and availability in sub-Saharan Africa.

Farmers’ decision processes about biocontrol innovation adoption: dynamics surrounding push-pull technology in Western Kenya

ABSTRACT Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face increasing challenges from pests and climate change, among other issues. In response to these challenges, international agricultural research for development (R4D) investment is often focused on developing and scaling up techniques and technologies that bolster resilience. However, such approaches are often technocentric and follow linear assumptions of innovation diffusion and adoption, which overlook the complex realities that influence smallholder farmers’ dynamic decisions and engagement with novel techniques. This study used qualitative ethnographic methods to explore the experiences, knowledge construction, motivations, and decision-making of farmers in Western Kenya regarding the extensively researched push-pull technology (PPT). Findings reveal that motives for practicing PPT evolve as farmers respond to emerging realities. Farmers’ practices were motivated by factors such as food culture, resource availability, market demand, social networks, and risk management. Farmers often modify and adapt PPT components rather than simply adopting the practice as taught or shown. Contextual factors such as health, livestock ownership, land tenure, access to information and inputs, cost/benefit trade-offs, and social dynamics interact in complex ways. Ultimately, innovation unfolds as a dynamic process requiring inclusive participation, flexibility for local adaptation, and long-term collaboration with farmers as partners in finding solutions.

The paradox of safe milk supply by small-scale dairy farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: insights based on current practices in Malawi

Abstract This research paper aimed to assess milking and milk handling practices among small-scale dairy farmers and to determine the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in raw and processed liquid milk in Malawi. A total of 113 dairy farmers were interviewed across three agroecological zones of Malawi. Eighty-seven (87) processed and raw milk samples were collected from selected food stores and dairy farms and tested for E. coli. Ninety-five percent of small-scale dairy farmers had at most 2 milking cows, with a daily average milk production of less than 10 l. Sixty-nine percent cleaned milking utensils using untreated water, and the farmers had no refrigerators. Eighty-eight percent held raw milk for over 6 h at room temperature. E. coli was found to be widely distributed in raw milk (76%) and pasteurized milk (75%), averaging 5.38 ± 1.82 and 2.47 ± 1.02 log cfu ml−1, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Malawian small-scale dairy farmers employ poor milking and post-milking practices, which compromise the socioeconomic environment of small-scale dairy farmers.

Mitigation of aflatoxin contamination of maize, groundnut, and sorghum by commercial biocontrol products in farmers’ fields across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Togo

BackgroundAflatoxin contamination by Aspergillus section Flavi fungi poses a significant threat to food security and public health in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Maize, groundnut, and sorghum are staple crops frequently contaminated with aflatoxins, sometimes at dangerous levels. Despite its detrimental effects, many farmers in SSA lack access to effective tools for mitigating aflatoxin contamination. Biocontrol based on atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus is an effective tool to limit aflatoxin contamination.MethodsThe development, testing, registration, and commercial use of the aflatoxin biocontrol product Aflasafe BF01 for use in Burkina Faso is described. In addition, the deployment of the biocontrol technology across Mali, Niger, and Togo is documented, and for the first time, the use of aflatoxin biocontrol in sorghum is reported.ResultsIn all four countries, treated crops had significantly (P < 0.05) less aflatoxins than crops from untreated fields. Most treated crops met the stringent tolerance threshold for human consumption, 4 ppb total aflatoxin. Using native atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus and employing a multi-disciplinary approach, aflatoxin biocontrol products have demonstrated significant success in reducing aflatoxin levels in treated crops compared to untreated ones.ConclusionsThis multi-year, multi-funded source study underscores the effectiveness of biocontrol strategies in mitigating aflatoxin contamination at scale, offering a regional approach for sustainable management in West Africa and potentially unlocking significant health and economic benefits for the region.

Visions of sustainable development and the future of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (and beyond)

Smallholder farmers are widely touted as essential to sustainable agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. But what exactly is meant by sustainable development, and how are smallholder farmers expected to contribute to it? In this perspective, we describe and assess two competing visions of sustainable development, namely Capital Theory and the Capabilities approach, paying special attention to the major yet divergent repercussions each approach implies for the future of smallholder farmers and the activities of their representative organizations. We present the core concepts, tools and practices stemming from each sustainable development perspective, and from a critique of these motivate the superiority of a capabilities approach as more conducive to smallholder farmers wellbeing now and in the future. In doing so, we bring to the fore the pivotal role smallholder farmer organizations and rural social movements, as collective vehicles for smallholder political agency, play in strategically advocating for the conditions that support sustainable and just smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

A Systematic Review of the Trends, Effects, and Deterrents of Collective Marketing Participation Among Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Smallholder farmers’ participation in collective marketing is essential for the growth of smallholder farming businesses and the sustainability of their livelihoods. Collective marketing provides smallholder farmers with increased opportunities to scale up market access and participation. Given the challenges that the majority of smallholder farmers still face regarding market access and participation, this review was conducted to explore the trends and effects of collective marketing participation, as well as the barriers to participation among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The results show that collective marketing has a high potential to give smallholder farmers access to both formal and informal market participation, as well as recognition by public and private support structures. To improve collective marketing participation among SSA countries, more focused and content-specific strategies and interventions are needed to address the complex socio-economic and structural barriers that limit smallholder farmers’ ability to fully benefit from collective marketing initiatives across the region.

Resource productivity and determinants of technical efficiency among cassava farmers’ in north central, Nigeria

This research analyzed resource productivity and determinants of technical efficiency among cassava farmers in North Central, Nigeria. This research employed a multi-stage sampling technique. Primary data were used based on a well-designed questionnaire. Inferential and descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. The results of resource productivity of inputs show that cassava cuttings and fertilizer have the highest and lowest elasticities, respectively. The mean-TE (Technical Efficiency) score of 74% (0.74) indicates that an average smallholder cassava producer in the sample needs about 26% (0.26) additional inputs to get to the frontier. In the TE components, the coefficients of labour, and fertilizers are significant different from zero at 1% probability level. The coefficients of agrochemicals, land inputs are significantly different from zero at 5% probability level, while the coefficient of cassava cuttings are significant different from zero at 10% probability level. In the TIE (technical inefficiency), component the coefficients of age, credit received, members of cooperatives are significant different from zero at 1% probability level. The policy formulations should be directed towards considering technological substitutions and mechanized agriculture. Excessive labour supply, characteristics of the developing agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, could be pushed into the secondary sector of the Nigerian economy such as the cassava processing industry, therefore generating income, employment and maintaining Nigeria in the first (1st) position in the world ranking in term of cassava output. Also, it is recommended that improved cuttings, agrochemicals, and fertilizers should be made available to cassava farmers at appropriate time to increase productivity. Furthermore, credit should be made available to cassava farmers at a single digit interest rate, devoid of cumbersome administrative procedures. Keywords: Resource productivity, technical efficiency, cassava farmers, stochastic frontier model, Nigeria

Determinants of an extended metric of agricultural commercialization in Ghana

For smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, increasing productivity and agricultural commercialization are mooted as one of the pillars for agricultural development. However, the measurement of agricultural commercialization has been restricted to the household crop commercialization index (HCCI) that focuses on crops neglecting livestock. This study develops an extended metric of agricultural commercialization named household crop-livestock commercialization index (HCLCI), which combines crop and livestock commercialization with the argument that it is superior to the overly used HCCI. Fractional regression is used to estimate the determinants of the extended metric using secondary and primary data from Ghana. Results indicate that agricultural commercialization is low when examined with the HCCI and the HCLCI. However, the HCLCI (at 26.44 % and 29.76 %, respectively, for the GLSS7 and primary data) is much lower relative to the HCCI (at 35.20 % and 38.24, respectively) but higher than the livestock commercialization index (10.93 % and 8.21 %, respectively). The underlying simultaneous factors that boost agricultural commercialization are infrastructure variables (i.e., road, market, transport, and bank), institutional variable (i.e., agricultural cooperatives) and scale of production (i.e., land endowment and crop production diversity). These findings imply that Ghana needs to invest in infrastructure and farmer institutional development to boost agricultural commercialization.

How Does Small-Scale Mining Stabilize Rural Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa? The Case of Mozambique

This paper examines the linkages between subsistence farming and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) – low-tech, labor-intensive mineral extraction and processing – in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the case of Mozambique. While the body of literature on this subject is burgeoning, it is comprised mostly of conceptual pieces and country case studies that rely heavily on qualitative data. Focusing on Manica Province, long an epicentre of small-scale gold mining activity in Mozambique, the paper showcases the value of including complementary quantitative data in analyses of ASM-farming linkages in rural sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, quantitative data that provide detail on the demographical composition of communities engaged in both ASM and agriculture, and which shed light on the spending patterns of households involved, could go a long way toward enriching dialogues on this subject, and, in the process, yield more effective (and, indeed, representative) rural development and poverty alleviation strategies in the region. The data gathered in Manica Province provide a more nuanced picture of how the ages and educational levels of household heads, and the sizes of their families, shape views on ASM and agriculture in gold-rich sections of Mozambique. Studies exploring the linkages between ASM and agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa that feature both qualitative and quantitative data provide greater clarity on the role each activity could play in tackling some of the region’s broader development challenges, including food insecurity and (building) community resilience.

Determination of Adoption Traits and Key Production Constraints of Improved Maize Varieties Using Participatory Research Appraisal

Introduction: Maize is a staple crop critical to the food security and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the availability of improved maize varieties, adoption rates among farmers remain suboptimal. Understanding the traits that drive adoption and identifying key production constraints is essential for the development and dissemination of varieties that meet farmers' needs. Aims: This study aimed to identifying the most valued traits of improved maize varieties from the farmers' perspective, assessing the socio-economic and biophysical factors influencing the adoption of these varieties and identifying the main production constraints faced by farmers in different agro-ecological zones. Study Design: The study was conducted in three regions representing diverse agro-ecological zones. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of maize farmers. Data collection involved focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and household surveys. PRA tools such as pairwise ranking and matrix scoring were employed to capture qualitative and quantitative data on adoption traits and production constraints. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place at Ejura Sekyeredumasi, Nkoranza South District and Wenchi Municipal district, between June 2017 and December 2017. Methodology: Descriptive statistics were used analyzed the demographic characteristics of maize farmers as well as socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of improved maize farming technology using SPSS 16 version. Data collected included; socio-demographic characteristics, adoption of improved maize varieties and constraints to maize production. Results: The results showed that about 78 % and 18 % of farmer respondents perceived that both fertilizers and improved seed were too expensive. Other constraints to maize production were drought, high cost of other agro-inputs, lack of improved cultivars and poor soil fertility significantly influenced the adoption of improved maize farming technologies in the area Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of incorporating farmers' preferences and addressing context-specific production constraints in maize breeding programs. Enhanced extension services, improved seed distribution systems, and tailored agronomic practices are recommended to increase adoption rates and improve productivity. Participatory approaches in agricultural research are vital for aligning breeding objectives with the real-world needs of smallholder farmers, ensuring the relevance and impact of improved maize varieties in the Ghana.

Modeling the dynamic nexus between climate change, ICT, and agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa: a panel quantile ARDL

Modeling the dynamic nexus between climate change, ICT, and agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa: a panel quantile ARDL

Computational models for improving surveillance for the early detection of direct introduction of cassava brown streak disease in Nigeria.

Cassava is a key source of calories for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa but its role as a food security crop is threatened by the cross-continental spread of cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) that causes high yield losses. In order to mitigate the impact of CBSD, it is important to minimise the delay in first detection of CBSD after introduction to a new country or state so that interventions can be deployed more effectively. Using a computational model that combines simulations of CBSD spread at both the landscape and field scales, we model the effectiveness of different country level survey strategies in Nigeria when CBSD is directly introduced. We find that the main limitation to the rapid CBSD detection in Nigeria, using the current survey strategy, is that an insufficient number of fields are surveyed in newly infected Nigerian states, not the total number of fields surveyed across the country, nor the limitation of only surveying fields near a road. We explored different strategies for geographically selecting fields to survey and found that early and consistent CBSD detection will involve confining candidate survey fields to states where CBSD has not yet been detected and where survey locations are allocated in proportion to the density of cassava crops, detects CBSD sooner, more consistently, and when the epidemic is smaller compared with distributing surveys uniformly across Nigeria.

Challenges of Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Perspective from Roger Thurow's, The Last Hunger Season

Small holder farmers are the small-scale farmers who own the land from one hectare to less than ten hectares. These farmers often depend on the family labour for farming activities, and a significant portion of their production is used to support their own livelihoods. Africa is a region where eighty percent of the farmland is cultivated and food is produced by small holders, yet they face multiple obstacles in sustaining their routine. The death rate of children is increasing due to poverty and malnutrition. Major challenges include the lack of sustainable agricultural practices, insufficient planting techniques, inadequate access to fertilizers and markets, water scarcity, and the impacts of climate change. The author aims to raise awareness about global hunger and the importance of long-term viability and economic development. He delves into the lives of small farmers, revealing the complexities of market failures, food insecurity, and the inability to access modern agricultural tools. The author also highlights the efforts of organizations and initiatives, such as One Acre Fund, which provide farmers with high-quality seeds and fertilizers on credit, and require them to attend local farming classes. This paper focuses on the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Africa, as depicted by Roger Thurow in "The Last Hunger Season”. The objective of the study is to emphasize the need for awareness and policy interventions, including family planning and literacy programs, to empower rural communities, achieve food security and improve economic resilience in the face of population growth and agricultural challenges.

MULTIVARIATE PROBIT MODELING OF CLIMATE-SMART ADAPTATION CHOICES AMONG FARMERS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: GHANAIAN STUDY OF COCOA FARMERS

Climate change and variability pose significant challenges to cocoa production in many sub-Saharan African countries, and Ghana is no exception. Therefore, knowledge of how farmers react to climate change and its variability effects is crucial in developing policies and programs to guide the design and implementation of effective climate-smart adaptation strategies at the farm level in Africa. This study aims to examine climate-smart adaptation choices cocoa farmers make as coping strategies for climate change and variability in Ghana using a multivariate probit modeling approach. Following a multistage sampling procedure, primary data was collected from 720 cocoa farmers across the major cocoa-growing regions in Ghana. The study found major adaptation choices for cocoa farmers to include improved and resistant varieties, optimal fertilizer application, optimal pesticide application, adjusting planting/harvesting dates, shade tree management, crop diversification, non-crop diversification, and off-farm economic diversification. We further observed that farmers’ adaptation choices were significantly influenced by climate change and adaptation-related variables such as rainfall variability index, temperature variability index, climate change impact perception index, and CSA awareness as well as agroclimatic zone effects. Concerning the influence of farmer and farm-specific variables, the study identifies that sex, age, education, farm size, quality of extension services delivery, access to credit, and membership in farmer groups were significant predictors of farmers’ CSA decision choices. This study offers beneficial insights for policymakers and stakeholders on how to promote climate-smart adaptation methods among cocoa farmers in Ghana.

The Influence of E-Commerce Platforms on Sustainable Agriculture Practices among Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sustainable agriculture is vital for food security and environmental conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where smallholder farmers encounter challenges like limited resources and market access. E-commerce platforms offer potential solutions by enhancing connectivity and sustainable practices. This review assesses the impact of such platforms on smallholder agriculture in the region, analysing the literature, reports, and case studies from 2010 to 2024 sourced from databases like Google Scholar and Scopus. Inclusion criteria focused on market access, economic outcomes, and sustainability. Findings indicate that e-commerce platforms notably improve market access, leading to better prices and reduced post-harvest losses. They also facilitate information flow, encouraging sustainable practices. However, challenges such as digital literacy and infrastructure deficits persist. E-commerce platforms positively influence sustainable agriculture in SSA by improving market access and supporting sustainable practices. Overcoming barriers through policy interventions and capacity-building is crucial for maximising these benefits. Further research is needed to explore long-term impacts and scalable models.