ABSTRACT Livestock production is very crucial to improving the livelihoods of smallholder livestock farmers in Ghana. However, these farmers are faced with risks associated with livestock production which affect their income and stability in the livestock business. Most of these risks they face are due to natural factors. It is, therefore, necessary to provide insurance for the farmers. This paper examines livestock farmers’ willingness to pay for cattle insurance in the Northern region of ...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the technical efficiency of tomato farmers in the Ashanti region of Ghana using the stochastic frontier methodology. The study looked at the productivity levels of tomato farmers, examined the determinants of technical inefficiency of tomato farmers and analysed the constraints generally facing tomato production in the region. A total of 150 tomato farmers in three districts namely Offinso South, Offinso North and Asante Akim North in the Ashan...
ABSTRACT The research was conducted during the minor season at Sekyere Dumase and Bonyon towns and their environs in the Ejura Sekyere-Dumase District o f Ghana. The objective of the research was to find out in comparative terms the profitability o f on-farm and institutional storage o f maize. The research also found out size and distributions of reasons why farmers/traders prefer one storage system to other, ranked the identified constraints/problems that influence preference for each stora...
ABSTRACT The study set out to identify agglomeration externalities in Ghana’s soybean sector and to assess soybean output elasticities with respect to input-use. The study also analyzed the technical efficiency levels in the soybean sector and the effect of agglomeration externalities on productivity and technical efficiency of soybean farms. The study identifies some components of agglomeration externalities across the soybean sector and defines agglomeration externalities by two indexes;...
ABSTRACT The System of Rice Intensification involves transplanting single, young seedlings in wider spacing and in a square pattern, and an intermittent water application in the field. The conventional method involves broadcasting rice seeds or randomly (or densely) transplanting rice seedlings and flooding the field with water throughout the production season. Rice production in Ghana is primarily done using the conventional method of production. However, the conventional method of rice prod...
ABSTRACT The present study quantifies the effects of the determinants of commercialisation of maize production in the East Akyem District of Ghana. The Tobit model is used. The conventional t-test is also performed to examine the differences between the characteristics of the commercial and non-commercial maize farmers in the East Akyem District of Ghana. The study observes, inter alia, that farmer age, marital status, time farmer spends on maize fanning, farming system, whether male family m...
ABSTRACT Pension contributions address old age income, insecurity and vulnerability and also improve the standard of living. It is the only investment that qualifies an individual to enjoy regular income, and other benefits till death, after contributing for a minimum number of years. This thesis therefore assessed poultry agribusiness workers’ perception, knowledge and attitude towards informal voluntary pension. It also assessed the factors that influence a poultry workers’ choice, wi...
ABSTRACT The study assesses credit use and its effect on profitability among smallholder maize farmers in the Brong Ahafo Region. A multistage sampling technique involving purposive sampling, stratified sampling and simple random sampling technique were employed to select the region, two municipalities from the region and 200 smallholder maize farmers respectively for the survey using well-structured questionnaires. The study took into consideration a description of the sources of credit whic...
ABSTRACT The study looked at the economic potential of black pepper production in the Western Region of Ghana. The objectives of the study were: to determine whether there is comparative advantage or disadvantage of producing black pepper; to determine the competitiveness of black pepper production; to determine whether the prices paid by local and international markets give any incentives for black pepper production; and to identify constraints that militate against the production of black p...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the agroforestry technology adoption and its effect on farmers’ crop productivity in the Bawku West, Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Three hundred farmers from six communities within the study area were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The study employed descriptive statistics in identifying the types of agroforestry technologies adopted by farmers. A five point likert scale was employed to ass...
ABSTRACTAs the quantity of waste streams increases and grows in complexity in the Accra-Tema Metropolitan Area (ATMA), waste management has become a major environmental management problem in the area. This study examines the possibility of establishing municipal solid waste (MSW) composting facilities in the ATMA through the lens of economics. Using the review of literature, data analysis and economic reasoning, the study endeavours to: perform a comparative cost analysis of waste treatment m...
ABSTRACT Agricultural Marketing Information Tools (AMITs) is a technology which is designed to gather, process and distribute information based on the conditions and dynamics of agricultural markets to various stakeholders through one or more information channels to aid in their decision making. An improvement in the participation of market by smallholder famers in developing countries carries the potential of reducing poverty. The study sought to assess the impact of AMITs on maize farmer’...
ABSTRACT Biochar is a type of charcoal that can be used to condition agricultural soils. The application of Biochar to agricultural soils as a conditioner can improve soil fertility and crop productivity. The agricultural sector of Ghana is characterized by low productivity and low level of technology use. The study sought to assess the factors that influence Biochar technology adoption in amending soils for vegetable production in the Kwahu East district of Ghana. Primary data was collected ...
ABSTRACT A new agronomic practice known as integrated crop management (ICM) technology is a combination of best farming practices to create a favorable environment thereby discouraging the use of the conventional method of farming. The main objective of this study is to compare the costs and benefits of using the integrated crop management technology and the conventional method. Primary data was solicited from 120 vegetable farmers using well-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics ...
ABSTRACT Chili is a highly profitable vegetable crop cultivated by majority of rural farm household and it contributes more than half of the income of the farmers. The study considered the value chain analysis of dry chili pepper and its related activities in the Ada West District of Ghana. Primary data was collected using well-structured and pre-tested questionnaires administered to 182 respondents. The respondents included 105 chili pepper farmers, 42 dry chili pepper wholesalers and 35 dry...