Justice G. Djokoto

Vegetable diversification in cocoa-based farming systems Ghana

BackgroundAs part of dynamic livelihood coping strategies, some farmers in Ghana’s cocoa belt have diversified away from traditional cocoa production to other high-value crops including vegetables, to the extent of diversifying within vegetables. This study assessed the extent of diversification of vegetables among farmers in Ghana’s cocoa belt and determined the factors that explain the variability in the diversification indices. A small-sample-size formula (http://www.surveysystem.com/sscalc.htm) that was based on an estimated population of the sample was used to arrive at 621 farmer respondents from the Ashanti and Western Regions of Ghana. A combination of proportional and random sampling was employed to select farmers for the interview.ResultsMarital status of the household head and total land endowment were the major determinants of diversification.ConclusionsUnlike most other studies found in the crop diversification literature, this study used econometric data reduction procedures to select the appropriate diversification indices, and selected the most appropriate fractional regression functional form from the four modelled. Vegetable diversification offers great potential for improving livelihoods of cocoa-based farm households in the study area.

Adoption of organic agriculture: Evidence from cocoa farming in Ghana

Abstract Cocoa farmers in Suhum area have been cultivating conventional cocoa for several years. However, as at 2012 about 1,000 farmers had switched to the cultivation of cocoa organically. The question that arises is, what factors could have influenced this small fraction of farmers to adopt organic production practices, whilst the majority continue in conventional cocoa production? Using data on 280 organic cocoa farms and 378 conventional cocoa farms from Suhum Cocoa District in Ghana, a probit model was fitted to the data. Being male positively influenced adoption of organic cocoa production. Smaller households have a tendency of adopting organic technology. Less cocoa farming experience led to probability of adoption of organic cocoa production. Access to extension services promotes adoption of organic cocoa technology. Access to credit positively influenced adoption of organic cocoa production with a marginal effect value of 0.1295. Therefore, increased and effective extension and credit services are recommended to enhance adoption of organic cocoa production.

Domestic and foreign direct investment in Ghanaian agriculture

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) into agriculture on domestic investment in agriculture. Design/methodology/approach - – Time series data from 1976 to 2007 was fitted to a derived model. Findings - – Foreign direct investment into agriculture crowd-in domestic investment into agriculture. Research limitations/implications - – A targeted approach that will attract foreign direct investment into agriculture is required as to complement existing efforts at boosting domestic agricultural investment. Originality/value - – Numerous papers investigated the relationship between foreign direct investment and domestic investment at the aggregate national and regional levels. However, the evidence for this relationship has been conflicting. That for agriculture is rare. For Ghana, a developing agrarian economy that has promoted foreign direct investment for some decades now, it is imperative to establish the relationship between foreign direct investments and domestic investment. Also, the estimation was based on a theoretically derived model.

Ghanaian fair-trade cocoa-producing households' livelihood diversification and efficiency

Though the studies examined the role of several factors that account for the variance in technical efficiency in agriculture, yet, the effect of livelihood diversification has not been addressed. This study assessed livelihood diversification and its extent, assessed existence of technical efficiency and the effect of livelihood diversification on technical efficiency of fair-trade cocoa farmers. A cross-sectional data of 253 cocoa farming households were collected from New Juaben Municipality in the eastern area of Ghana. Livelihoods pursued by the farmers were largely farming with households showing medium livelihood diversification. The estimates of technical efficiency showed existence of technical inefficiency. However, diversification of livelihoods by the fair-trade cocoa farm households did not promote technical efficiency. Within the context of this study, although livelihoods diversification did not increase technical efficiency, nevertheless, diversification of livelihoods among fair-trade cocoa farmers may be promoted for other reasons such as additional income security.

The Use of Farm Information Systems among Grasscutter Farmers in Ga-South Municipality and Awutu-Senya District in Ghana

The paper investigated farm information systems use among grasscutter farmers in Ga-South and Awutu-Senya District in Ghana. Using frequency, cross tabulations and binary logit model in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18, the study made some findings. Grasscutter farmers in the study area are ageing. They operate on small scale with males dominating the enterprise. The generally literate farmers used production records mostly. Farmers’ use of farm information systems did not show positive association with obtaining credit from formal credit institutions. The use of books and loose sheets to keep records of farm operations is most popular with the farmers. Use of computers is least popular. Too much work, no reasons for non-use, and inadequate time at their disposal to spare some for recording were some of the reasons adduced for not using farm information systems. Age, level of education, farm size, and farmer status, membership of association, sex, experience and income were found to be independent of farm information systems use. Government and non-governmental organisations must encourage young persons especially females to engage in the enterprise. An investigation into the causes of low farm size will unearth the causes and as such provide ways to increase farm size as most of the farmers are into full time grasscutter rearing. Members of grasscutter farmers association need to step up their membership drive to recruit more farmers into the association as associations are better to relate to and reach with extension effort.