Willingness to Adopt Certifications and Sustainable Production Methods among Small-Scale Cocoa Farmers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

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

Women's land rights in the transition to individualized ownership

This study explores the impact of changes in land tenure institutions on women's land rights and the efficiency of tree resource management in Western Ghana. We find that customary land tenure institutions have evolved toward individualized systems to provide incentives to invest in tree planting. However, contrary to the common belief that individualization of land tenure weakens women's land rights, these have been strengthened through inter vivos gifts and the practice of the Intestate Succession Law. Investment in tree planting, in turn, is affected not simply by the level of land tenure security, but also by its expected changes, as tree planting strengthens land tenure security. Cocoa yields are lower on allocated family land and rented land under share tenancy due to distorted work incentives. While men and women are equally likely to plant trees, women obtain lower yields on their cocoa plots, suggesting the presence of gender-specific constraints.Gender ,Gender issues Africa. ,Land tenure Africa. ,Right of property Gender issues Africa. ,Tree planting. ,Crop yields. ,Property rights ,

Determinants of dairy consumption expenditure in urban communities of Southern Ghana

The main purpose of the study was to examine the level of household expenditure on dairy products and to identify the principal factors that influence the level of consumption expenditure on dairy products across households in Accra and Kumasi. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit primary information from a total of 303 households through a multi-stage sampling approach. The double logarithmic multiple regression model was found to be the most suitable functional form andwas thus used to examine the major determinants of household dairy consumption expenditure patterns. The principal determinants of aggregate dairy consumption expenditure were identified asincome level of household head, distance from home to purchase point and the level of urbanization of consumer’s home location. The study revealed that the elasticity of expenditure on dairy products(i.e. evaporated milk and raw fresh milk) with respect to own price is unity. Elasticity of expenditure with respect to income level and prices of substitutes was found to be less than unity. It became evidentfrom the study that raw fresh milk is an inferior commodity in Ghana. However, evaporated milk was found to be a normal commodity

Seed yam demand and supply gap in Ghana: Implications for commercialisation of seed yam production

The paper examined seed yam supply and demand across four yam producing districts in Ghana. Primary data were obtained from 108 yam farmers who were selected through a multistage random sampling approach. Data collection was done through personal interviews with the use of standardised structured questionnaires. Purely descriptive statistics and pictograms were used to analyse the data. The results showed that about 40 per cent of seed yam suppliers only sold surplus seed yams after planting their own yam fields. About 52 per cent of yam producers had difficulties in obtaining seed yams for cultivation. The demand for seed yams in Ghana far exceeds supply. About 30 per cent of seed yam demand was hardly met in the past three seasons (2007 – 2009). This unfulfilled demand for seed yams in yam producing districts presents a business opportunity for private investors to produce the commodity in commercial quantities. A more commercial approach to seed yam production could bridge the demand-supply gap by linking seed yam and yam producers through urban and local markets in the producing districts

Analysis of seed yam varieties, sources and quantity demanded by farmers in major yam producing districts in Ghana

The study analysed the varieties, sources and quantities of seed yam demanded by farmers for cultivation in order to inform policies aimed at ensuring adequate supply of quality seed yam of desirable varieties at an affordable price to boost yam productivity for improved income and livelihoods. A structured questionnaire was administered to 380 randomly selected yam farmers in three major yam producing districts in Ghana in 2015. The data analysis was done using STATA statistical software. The study identified Pona/Punjo, Lariboko, Asana, Afebetuye, Dente, Olondo and Kparinjo as the yam varieties mainly cultivated by farmers in a reducing order with high market demands by consumers. Own production remains the major source of seed yam for farmers. The estimated monetary value of quantity of seed yam used by farmers for cultivation in 2014 farming season was GH¢ 198, 552,841.0 (USD 51,706,469.0) in the study locations. About GH¢ 5,679,979.0 (USD 1,479,161.2) worth of quantities of seed yam was obtained from the market and other sources. The results demonstrate the existence of market potential for commercial seed yam production and supply in Ghana. Commercial seed yam certification system and yam breeding activities should target the identified yam varieties

Willingness to pay for biofertilizers among grain legume farmers in northern Ghana

Open Access Journal; Published online: 27 April 2018Background: The call for use of improved Soil Fertility Management (SFM) technologies is a prerequisite to increase agricultural productivity among farmers. This study assessed farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for selected financially rewarding biofertilizer technologies/packages for legume production in northern Ghana. Primary data was elicited from 400 grain legume farmers selected from Northern and Upper West Regions of Ghana through a simple random sampling technique. The double bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) format of contingent valuation approach was employed to elicit willingness to pay values and determinants of farmers WTP was evaluated using the maximum likelihood estimation procedure. Results: The results showed that about 60%, 25% and 46% of soya, cowpea and groundnuts farmers were willing to pay for the selected biofertilizers (Biofix, BR3267 and Legumefix respectively) at prices not exceeding GHC 14.00, GHC 28.00 and GHC 20.00 per 0.2kg of the respective biofertilizers. Legume farmers in Northern Region were however willing to pay higher for the three biofertilizer technologies as compared to their counterparts in Upper West Region. For 0.2 kg each of Biofix, BR3267 and Legumefix, farmers in Northern Region were willing to pay approximately GHC 17.00, GHC 12.00 and GHC 23.00 respectively whereas those in Upper West Region were willing to pay GHC 14.00, GHC 9.00 and GHC 11.00 for the same quantity of each biofertilizer. The study identified farming experience, FBO membership, awareness and previous use of biofertilizers as significant determinants of farmers’ willingness to pay for Biofertilizers. Conclusion: Comparatively, mean prices farmers are willing to pay for these three technologies are below ex-factory prices, hence subsidizing the cost of production of these biofertilizers in the initial stages would be relevant for improving farmers’ uptake of these fertilizers. Sustained awareness creation through periodic education and sensitization by using FBOs as leverage points is also highly recommended to improve farmers’ understanding of the concept of biofertilizer use