Isaac Gershon Kodwo Ansah

Determinants of Yam Postharvest Management in the Zabzugu District of Northern Ghana

Postharvest loss reduction has received attention in many policy documents across nations to ensure global food security, particularly in developing countries. Many researchers have examined various options for reducing postharvest losses. We contribute our quota to this scientific discourse by using a different approach. We argue that the human element of managing postharvest loss is central and therefore poses the question of what are the characteristics of the farmer who manages postharvest losses better. We examine this question by using a cross section of yam farmers in the Zabzugu district in Northern Ghana and generate a proportional variable called postharvest management, which measures how effective a farmer works to reduce storage losses. We then use a fractional logistic regression model to examine the determinants of postharvest management. A significant result is that subsistence farmers manage postharvest losses better than commercial farmers. Characteristically, the farmer who effectively manages postharvest losses is a young, subsistence farmer, living in or close to a district capital with fewer household members, has attained formal education, and produces more yam. Efforts to reduce postharvest losses require the provision of access roads to remote towns or providing effective storage techniques and training on postharvest management practices.

Effect of input credit on smallholder farmers’ output and income: Evidence from Northern Ghana

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of input credit on smallholder farmers’ output and income using Masara N’Arziki support project in Northern Ghana. Design/methodology/approach - A cross-sectional primary data set was used to estimate the effect of project participation on farm output, yield and income using propensity score matching (PSM) methods. Findings - The findings are that project participation is skewed towards experienced farmers with big-sized households and farms. The effect of project on outcomes is somewhat unsatisfactory in the sense that participation only raises output and yield, but not income. Research limitations/implications - The paper only examined the project effect on farm outcomes among smallholder farmers participating in the programme in just one operational area in the Northern region. Future research should consider all the operational areas for an informed generalisation of findings. Practical implications - Greater benefits to farmers from programme participation would require project management to review the contractual arrangement so that the high cost of input credit is significantly reduced. Originality/value - The paper applied the PSM to estimate the effect of project participation on farm output, yield and income among smallholder farmers which is non-existent in the literature on the study area, at least as far as we know. This paper can inform future policy on the direction and nature of support for smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana.

Determinants and income effect of yam postharvest loss management: evidence from the Zabzugu District of Northern Ghana

Globally, postharvest loss reduction has been emphasized as an effective option for improving food security and environmental sustainability. Yam production in the Zabzugu district of Northern Ghana suffers from high postharvest losses, with varying degrees of economic, social and environmental implications. Improving the welfare of farmers through postharvest loss reduction requires farmers’ effective management of the losses. The purpose of this study is to examine how effectively farmers manage postharvest losses and the rewards derived from such efforts. Using a cross-section of 201 randomly selected yam farmers from major production communities in the Zabzugu district of Northern Ghana, we applied a simultaneous equation modelling approach to examine the contemporaneous correlation between postharvest loss management and income. Results provided evidence that good postharvest loss management improves welfare of yam farmers through increased income earnings and vice versa, especially for those who produce for commercial purposes. On the other hand, subsistence farmers were better at managing postharvest losses, though with lower monetary rewards. The policy implications are that interventions should target farmer education and training to improve the skills of farmers in managing postharvest losses.

Participation and output effect of a Block Farm Credit Programme in selected districts of Northern Ghana

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) Block Farm Credit Programme (BFCP) participation on crop output in four districts in the Northern region of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 240 beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers of BFCP. The treatment effect model that accounts for selectivity bias was employed to examine the socioeconomic determinants of farmers’ decision to participate in the BFCP and the effect of BFCP participation on crop output. Findings Even though the BFCP participation increases output, inadequacy and late delivery of BFCP inputs, low publicity about the programme and difficulty in accessing the inputs from the districts agricultural officers are factors that prevent the full realization of the benefits of the programme. Improving extension services to create more awareness and a re-introduction of the BFCP to make inputs available and affordable to farmers can help boost farm productivity. Practical implications The positive effect of the BFCP means that the provision of low-cost production credit has the potential to increase productivity and improve incomes. Hence, MoFA should endeavour up scaling and properly managing the scheme. Originality/value This study is the first to evaluate the BFCP in Northern region of Ghana, particularly in relation to its contribution to crop value. The findings are very useful to advise policy by taking account of the programme deficiencies and enhance effectiveness.

Farmers’ Livelihoods and Welfare in the Wa West District, Upper West Region of Ghana

This paper examines the socioeconomic determinants of farmer livelihood diversification and its effects on welfare. We selected 184 farmers in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region of Ghana through a comprehensive, multistage process based on agro-ecological, engineering, and socioeconomic resilience/vulnerability profiles. A simultaneous equation model was estimated using the two-stage least squares method. The results suggest that the number of livelihood activities is highest for female farmers, relatively young farmers, farmers with little or no formal education, farmers with large families, and richer/wealthier farmers. On the other hand, welfare is highest for older farmers, female farmers, farmers with little or no formal education, farmers with small family size, and farmers with higher number of livelihood activities. Thus, despite the fact that younger and large-sized families engage in more livelihood activities, they have relatively low welfare. Therefore, these categories of farmers should be targeted for policy interventions. However, in general, we recommend the promotion of more livelihood activities to increase the welfare of farmers. These livelihood activities should not be vulnerable to the adverse effects of climatic factors.

Determinants of consumer willingness to pay for certified safe vegetables

ABSTRACTVegetable production in urban and peri-urban areas involves use of wastewater for irrigation and agrochemicals, which pose risks to consumers’ health. To some degree, certification assures consumers of food safety. Certification is costly, requiring consumers to, at least partially, bear the cost. Consumer willingness to pay for certified vegetables was examined in Tamale, Ghana, based on a survey of 300 consumers using the contingent valuation method. Young, well-educated, and affluent consumers would pay price premiums for certified vegetables. A differentiated market could target educated and wealthy households when introducing certified vegetables. Consumer trust in local certification institutions need to be enhanced in Tamale. Consumers are willing to pay price premium for certified safe vegetables to avoid health-related risks associated with use of wastewater for irrigation and agrochemicals.

Effect of postharvest management practices on welfare of farmers and traders in Tamale metropolis and Zabzugu District, Ghana

Abstract Postharvest losses are a significant threat to the actors in the yam value chain. In this article, we examined the key postharvest management practices and its effect on the welfare of yam farmers and traders in selected towns of Northern region. We randomly sampled a cross section of farmers and traders for data collection, and analyzed the data with beta regression and linear regression models. Results show that farmers lose an average of 9.6% of stored yam in 2-month period, while traders lose 3.3% of yam stored in a month. The main postharvest storage-management practices used by farmers and traders include heat-control measures, sorting-management practices, and cleaning-management practices. Our regression results verify that good storage-management practices improves postharvest management, thereby reducing storage losses and enhancing the welfare outcomes for traders. However, no statistically significant effect was detected for farmers. Therefore, we suggest that information on and availability of improved postharvest storage-management practices should be delivered and fostered among farmers and traders in the study areas to maximize efforts aimed at reducing postharvest losses and improve welfare outcomes.

Consumers’ willingness to pay for safer vegetables in Tamale, Ghana

Consumers’ concerns over misuse of agrochemicals and untreated wastewater for irrigation in vegetable production are increasing demand for safer vegetables in urban cities. Providing safer vegetables requires production methods that minimize or eliminate the associated risks. Nevertheless, these practices involve extra cost, which requires that consumers, at least, bear part of the cost. The main objective of this paper is to examine factors influencing consumers’ willingness to pay price premiums for safer vegetables. We sampled a cross-section of 331 consumers in Tamale, and elicited their willingness to pay premium prices for safer vegetables. The results show that consumers are willing to pay average premiums of GH¢8.01 (US

Contract farming and the adoption of climate change coping and adaptation strategies in the northern region of Ghana

1.90), GH¢3.27 (US

Modelling Farmers Investment in Agrochemicals: The Experience of Smallholder Cocoa Farmers in Ghana

0.78) and GH¢2.89 (US