Stakeholders' Preference and Adoption of Improved Cowpea Varieties in the Northern Region, Ghana

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this research was to examine Stakeholders’ preference and adoption of improved cowpea varieties in the Northern region of Ghana. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was used to collect data using a multistage, snowball, and convenience sampling techniques from farmers (n=415), marketers (n=60), and consumers (n=120) respectively. Contentvalidated questionnaires and structured interview schedules were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, correlation coefficients, and logistic regression were used to analysed the data. The study revealed that, farmers have mixed feelings on the overall perceived attributes of improved cowpea varieties. There was low level of participation of all stakeholders (farmers, consumers, and marketers) in the development and release of improved cowpea varieties with no significant difference in the development of improved cowpea varieties. Also, improved cowpea varieties were highly adopted by farmers. The logistic regression revealed four independents (years of experience in cowpea production, farm size, access to extension, and observability) as the best predictors of the adoption of improved cowpea varieties and contributed 28.0% to 39.0% of the variance in the adoption of improved cowpea varieties. Lack of credit facilities, high cost of seeds, lack of information, among others were some of challenges that militated against farmers in the adoption of improved cowpea varieties. The study recommended, among others, seed breeders and scientist should involve major stakeholders’ in future cowpea breeding process, and establishment of demonstrations plots by extension agents on these improved cowpea varieties.

KEY WORDS

Adoption

Improved Variety

Participation

Participatory Plant Breeding

Preference

Stakeholders