Franklin Nantui Mabe

Promoting sustainable agriculture in Africa through ecosystem-based farm management practices: evidence from Ghana

BackgroundThe type of farming practices employed within an agro-ecosystem have some effects on its health and sustainable agricultural production. Thus, it is important to encourage farmers to make use of ecosystem-friendly farming practices if agricultural production is to be sustainable and this requires the identification of the critical success factors. This paper therefore examined the factors to consider in promoting sustainable agriculture production in Africa through ecosystem-based farm management practices (EBFMPs) using Ghana as a case study. The study employed mixed methods—qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 300 households. The Poisson and negative binomial models were employed to determine the factors that influence farmers’ intensity of adoption of EBFMPs. Eight (8) EBFMPs were used in the paper as the dependent variable, which are organic manure application, conservation of vegetation, conservative tillage, mulching, crop rotation, intercropping with legumes, efficient drainage system and soil bunding.ResultsThe paper found that the intensity of adoption of EBFMPs is significantly determined by the age of farmers, distance to farms, perception of soil fertility, knowledge of EBFMPs, number of extension visits and the type of irrigation scheme available to farmers.ConclusionsTo promote sustainable agricultural production in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa using EBFMBs, these factors must be considered.

Adoption of improved maize variety among farm households in the northern region of Ghana

Abstract This study aims to identify the determinants of adoption of improved maize variety (IMV) among farmers in the northern region of Ghana and subsequently assess the factors influencing the intensity of IMV adoption. The study used two econometric techniques to address its objectives. Firstly, a multinomial logit was employed to identify factors affecting the adoption of IMV. Secondly, Tobit regression was used to analyze the determinants of the intensity of IMV adoption. A fractional regression model through the procedure proposed by Papke and Wooldridge was also used to test the robustness of the results obtained from the Tobit model. Results from the study revealed that variables such as the age of the household head, household size, level of experience, farm workshop attendance, the number of years in formal education, access to agricultural credit, membership of a farmer-based organization, availability of labor and extension contacts influence the adoption of IMV. Moreover, variables such as years in formal education, household size, distance to farm plots, attendance of demonstration fields, membership of a farmer-based organization, farm size, and previous income are significant determinants of the intensity of IMV adoption. The study has implications for achieving food security and poverty reduction through agricultural productivity growth.

Awareness of Health Implications of Agrochemical Use: Effects on Maize Production in Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality, Ghana

This study assessed factors that affect awareness of health implications of agrochemical use and its effects on maize production in Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality of Ashanti Region, Ghana. One hundred and fifty-four (154) maize farmers were randomly sampled from the municipality. The study used awareness indicators to estimate an index representing farmers’ awareness levels of health implications of agrochemical use. An ordered logit compliment with multivariate linear regression model was used to identify the drivers of farmers’ awareness level of health implications of agrochemical use. Also, a multivariate linear regression model was used to analyze the effects of health implications of agrochemical use on maize output. On average, the respondents have the moderate awareness level of health implications of agrochemical use (0.578). The awareness level was significantly explained by education, the number of children in school, ownership of TV/radio, experience in agrochemicals use, and farm size. The multivariate linear regression results showed that awareness levels of health implications of agrochemical use increase maize output. It is therefore recommended that interventions aimed at increasing farmers’ awareness levels of health implications of agrochemicals use should focus on educating farmers through interactive radio discussion and training sessions on the field and incorporate safety use of agrochemical in our educational curriculum.

IMPROVED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY: WHAT FACTORS DETERMINE HOW MUCH DOMESTIC CUSTOMERS ARE WILLING TO PAY IN TAMALE URBAN AND PERI-URBAN AREAS?

The paper estimates households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improved supply of electricity in Tamale Urban and Peri-Urban Communities. A contingent valuation method (CVM) was used to determine the stated WTP amount and its determinants. The results from the CVM indicate that households are willing to pay an additional amount of Ghȼ0.2232 (US

Factors Influencing Participation of Crop Farming Households in Non-farm Activities in Ghana

0.0698) for 1kWh of improved electricity. From the double-logarithmic econometric model results, education, residential ownership status, age of household head, household size, household’s monthly income, monthly blackout duration and monthly electricity bill are factors that significantly influence the WTP amount for uninterrupted supply of electricity. It is therefore important for the electricity service providers in the study area to improve their services and increase the electricity tariff by Ghȼ0.2232 (US

Determinants of Choice of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Northern Ghana

0.0698) per kWh since domestic customers are willing to pay such amount for quality services. Private organisations which have the capacity to provide reliable supply of electricity should capitalise on the poor services provided by Volta River Authority of Northern Electricity Department Corporation (VRA-NEDCo) and supply reliable electricity so as to enjoy the higher tariff that households are Original Research Article Ehiakpor et al.; BJEMT, 6(4): 323-334, 2015; Article no.BJEMT.2015.065 324 willing to pay. Also, it is recommended that social intervention programmes which aim at increasing the level of household incomes should be implemented to help them increase their WTP amount.

CONSTRAINTS FACING NEW AND EXISTING SMALL AND MEDIUM-SCALE ENTERPRISES (SMES) IN GREATER ACCRA REGION OF GHANA

Agricultural sector is facing serious challenges (low productivity, inadequate investment, changes in climatic conditions etc) in developing countries. The challenges facing Ghanaian agriculture had led to the increasing participation of farmers in the non-farm activities. It is therefore incumbent on researchers to investigate factors that can be modified for farmers to fully participate in non-farm agriculture activities to complement their livelihoods. This study investigated factors that influenced farming households’ decision to participate in non-farm activities using data from fifth version of Ghana Living Standard Survey. The sample size used for the study is 1368. A binary logit estimation model was used for the analysis. The results obtained from maximum likelihood estimation showed that households with greater probability to participate in non-farm activities were as follows: female-headed households; households headed by the young; households whose heads were married, households whose heads had formal education, larger households, Original Research Article Sienso et al.; AJAEES, 6(3): 117-125, 2015; Article no.AJAEES.2015.069 118 households living in urban areas and households living in the forest zone. Crop farming households who are male-headed, had no formal education, had small household sizes, lived in rural areas and in savannah areas should be encouraged and supported to diversify activities by engaging in nonfarm activities.