Cost implications of agricultural land degradation in Ghana:

"An economywide, multimarket model is constructed for Ghana and the effects of agricultural soil erosion on crop yields are explicitly modeled at the subnational regional level for eight main staple crops. The model is used to evaluate the aggregate economic costs of soil erosion by taking into account economywide linkages between production and consumption, across sectors and agricultural subsectors. To fill a gap in the literature regarding economic cost analysis of soil erosion, this paper also analyzes the poverty implications of land degradation. The model predicts that land degradation reduces agricultural income in Ghana by a total of US$4.2 billion over the period 2006–2015, which is approximately five percent of total agricultural GDP in these ten years. The effect of soil loss on poverty is also significant at the national level, equivalent to a 5.4 percentage point increase in the poverty rate in 2015 compared to the case of no soil loss. Moreover, soil loss causes a slowing of poverty reduction over time in the three northern regions, which currently have the highest poverty rates in the country. Sustainable land management (SLM) is the key to reducing agricultural soil loss. The present findings indicate that through the adoption of conventional SLM practices, the declining trend in land productivity can be reversed, and that use of a combination of conventional and modern SLM practices would generate an aggregate economic benefit of US$6.4 billion over the period 2006–2015. SLM practices would therefore significantly reduce poverty in Ghana, particularly in the three northern regions." Authors' AbstractLand degradation, Costs, Agricultural soil loss, Economywide modeling, Modeling cost of land degradation,

Evaluating the Viability of Shea Butter Production: A Comparative Analysis

This paper analysed the viability of shea butter processing in the Northern Region of Ghana using household level data on three different processing methods. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to shea butter processing units. In all 110 processors were interviewed comprising 40 processing units for each of the Traditional and the Improved Shea Butter Processing Technology (ISBPT) methods and 30 for the Bridge Press (BP) method.  The analytical techniques used included NPV, B/C ratio, sensitivity analysis and switching values. From the NPV and B/C ratio analyses, shea butter processing generally is a viable enterprise. While the estimates (NPV and B/C) of the BP method are higher than those of the ISBPT method, the estimates of the ISBPT method are higher than those of the Traditional method. The switching value and sensitivity analysis showed that the BP and ISBPT methods are more conditioned to handle risk than the Traditional method. Based on the findings, shea butter processing is recommended to government, Non-governmental Organisations and other stakeholders involved in the fight against poverty as a viable enterprise that offers an opportunity for the economic empowerment of women in both urban and rural areas. Keywords: NPV, B/C ratio, switching values, sensitivity analysis, shea butter, viability

The Effects of Environmental Factors on Persons Living with HIV/AIDS

In recent years, environmental awareness has received a great deal of public attention. However, little emphasis has been put on the influence of environmental factors (weather, personal attitudes, policies, physical structures, transportation, etc.) on the quality of life of persons infected with HIV/AIDS. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of selected environmental factors on the quality of life of persons affected by HIV/AIDS. To achieve this goal, the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) subscales including Policies, Physical Structure, Work/School, Attitudes/Support, and Service/Assistance were evaluated in patients selected from a STD/HIV clinic in Jackson, MS. They were chosen based on previously diagnosed HIV/AIDS status and age (16–95). Written consents, demographics sheets and self-administered questionnaires were obtained. Data were analyzed using Excel and SPSS software. Interviews started in July 2007 and ended in August, 2007. One hundred and thirteen patients responded. Participants were 72.6% (82) male, 26.5% (30) female and 0.9% (1) transgender. The median age of participants was 38.8 (18–63). Over 50% (65) had some college or higher education, and 35.4% reported annual incomes less than $10,000. Multivariate analysis showed marginal significance between disease diagnosis and gender (p < 0.10), and statistical significance between disease diagnosis and income (p = 0.03). Also, age (p = 0.01) and education (p = 0.03) were significant predictors in one of the subscales. The CHIEF subscales that showed the greatest significance among AIDS respondents were Attitudes and Support, and Government Policies with mean sensitivity scores of 1.39 and 1.42, respectively. The element with the least effect on AIDS patients was the Work/School subscale, with a mean score of 0.74. In general AIDS patients were disproportionately affected in all but one of the five subscales observed. Conversely those with HIV were more affected in the Work/School subscale with a mean score of 1.70. This proved to be the only subscale responsible for causing the greatest degree of perceived barriers for the HIV population. With a mean score of 0.75, Physical/Structural subscale showed the least negative impact on those infected HIV without AIDS. It is therefore recommended that the environmental barriers identified in this study be addressed in order to eliminate/minimize their negative effect and improve the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients

Does Scale Matter in Profitability of Small Scale Broiler Agribusiness Production in Ghana? A Translog Profit Function Model

This paper examined whether scale matter in profitability of small-scale commercial broiler agribusinessproduction in Ghana, using the translog profit function model. Structured questionnaire was used to collectprimary data on input and output prices and quantities from four hundred and forty-one (441) small-scalecommercial broiler agribusinesses for the 2010 production year through a multiple-stage random samplingtechnique. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze data collected for thestudy. Findings of the study show that by incurring an average variable cost of GH¢8.48 per broiler and sellingeach at GH¢14.80, small-scale broiler agribusinesses make a profit of GH¢5.59 per bird. Results of the translogprofit function model indicate that feed and day-old chick prices are the two main factors that negatively andsignificantly affect profit in small-scale commercial broiler agribusiness production. Stock size of small-scalebroiler agribusinesses was also found to positively and significantly affect profit in broiler production. Thisimplies that profit of small-scale broiler agribusinesses increases with scale, hence scale matters in profitabilityof broiler production. Policy actions directed towards broiler producers to increase their production scale in orderto reduce cost and increase profit should be encouraged.Keywords: Scale, Profitability, Broiler, Agribusiness, Production, Translog, Ghan

The triple challenge: food security and vulnerabilities of fishing and farming households in situations characterized by increasing conflict, climate shock, and environmental degradation

As conflict, climate shocks, and land/water degradation—the “triple challenge”—continue to exert increasing pressure upon fishing and farming livelihoods in many developing countries, a need exists to better understand how differential vulnerabilities undermine or amplify food security outcomes. In this study, we investigate how vulnerability to the “triple challenge” affect food security using an in-depth case study approach that merges social statistics and quantitative data analysis. We frame vulnerability using a combination of sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity, and operationalize food security using the FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), which is an experience-based measure capturing the food access dimension of food security. We draw on survey data from 252 fishing and 251 farming households in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and quantify the different components of vulnerability, deriving specific livelihood-related vulnerability scores. By merging and analyzing differential food security variables and vulnerability scores using ordered logistic models, we find that vulnerability to the “triple challenge” increases the probability of being in a severe food insecure state, particularly for households with a high dependency ratio. Parallel to this finding, we note that access to social capital and opportunities for livelihood diversification could drive gains in income, enhancing the capacity of households to attain a food-secure status in the face of recurrent instabilities. This study advances vulnerability literacy in food-insecure contexts and reveals ways to support populations on the frontline of interacting conflict, climate, and environmental crises

THE ALLEVIATION OF VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY THROUGH STAPLE FOOD FORTIFICATION IN GHANA

This study focuses on the intake of vitamin A from staple foods that are or could be fortified using a survey conducted in three major cities in Ghana. The study distinguishes among consumption frequencies, i.e., daily, weekly, and monthly, of five staples (wheat and maize flour, groundnut oil, palm oil, and vegetable oil). A multivariate probit technique estimates three sets of five equations accounting for the consumption of five staples in three time periods (daily, weekly monthly). The correlations across equations were tested indicating the suitability of the selected estimation approach. The results suggest that per capita income, geographic location, employment status, education, and market access are important in determining consumption frequency. The results also reveal that the existing source of vitamin A from the food fortification program is insufficient for Ghanaian women to reach the WHO daily standard. Fortifying maize flour (in addition to already fortified vegetable oils and wheat flour), a staple, will largely alleviate the inadequate vitamin A intake among urban households

APPLICATION OF THE STOCHASTIC PROFIT FRONTIER MODEL TO ESTIMATE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY IN SMALL-SCALE BROILER PRODUCTION IN THE GREATER ACCRA REGION OF GHANA

This paper applied the stochastic profit frontier model to estimate economic efficiency of 199 small-scale commercial broiler producers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Farm-level data was obtained from the producers through a multi-stage sampling technique. Results indicate that broiler producers are not fully economically efficient. The mean economic efficiency was 69 percent, implying that opportunity exist for broiler producers to increase their economic efficiency level through better use of available resources. Age of producer, extension contact, market age of broiler and credit access were found to significantly influence economic efficiency in broiler production. Policy measures directed at these factors to enhance economic efficiency of broiler producers are recommendable

APPLICATION OF THE STOCHASTIC PROFIT FRONTIER MODEL TO ESTIMATE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY IN SMALL-SCALE BROILER PRODUCTION IN THE GREATER ACCRA REGION OF GHANA

This paper applied the stochastic profit frontier model to estimate economic efficiency of 199 small-scale commercial broiler producers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Farm-level data was obtained from the producers through a multi-stage sampling technique. Results indicate that broiler producers are not fully economically efficient. The mean economic efficiency was 69 percent, implying that opportunity exist for broiler producers to increase their economic efficiency level through better use of available resources. Age of producer, extension contact, market age of broiler and credit access were found to significantly influence economic efficiency in broiler production. Policy measures directed at these factors to enhance economic efficiency of broiler producers are recommendable

Allocative efficiency, employment and rice production risk: An analysis of small holder paddy farms in the Upper East Region of Ghana

A production function analysis was used to investigate resource use efficiency by smallholder rice farmers in the Upper East region of Ghana and its impact on employment. Data was collected from a random sample of 440 farmers during the 2001/2002 cropping seasons. Empirical results show that smallholder rice farmers are allocatively inefficient in the use of labour, bullock and fertilizer. Non-irrigators created more job opportunities in the study area than irrigators. Smallholder farmers have developed coping mechanisms in order to minimize the negative impact of rice production risks. A programme to accelerate the provision of education and credit is needed. The education programme should include both formal and non-formal elements. This is important for the improvement of farmers' abilities to retrieve and process information regarding modern agricultural technology. Effective farmer-centered technical training programmes are needed to build the capacities of small-scale farmers in resource mobilization and use. Research is also needed in areas of reducing rice production risks. Ghana Journal of Development Studies Vol.1(2) 2004: 142-16