[go: up one dir, main page]
IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v10y2021i3p266-d511694.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Agricultural Practices in Ghana’s Forest-Fringe Communities

Author

Listed:
  • Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong

    (Division of Tropical Environments and Societies, College of Science and Engineering, Cairns, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Jeffrey Sayer

    (Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Colin J. Macgregor

    (Division of Tropical Environments and Societies, College of Science and Engineering, Cairns, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Sean Sloan

    (Division of Tropical Environments and Societies, College of Science and Engineering, Cairns, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia)

Abstract
Two-thirds of rural Ghanaians are farmers, and farming is almost the only income source for Ghana’s forest-fringe communities. Some farmers adopt some agricultural practices to augment their operations while others do not. We examined the factors that influence farmers’ adoption and intensity of adoption of agricultural practices, namely, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, improved seeds, animal manure, and crop rotation. We surveyed the agricultural systems and livelihoods of 291 smallholder households in forest-fringe communities and developed a multivariate model (canonical correlation analysis) to test the degree to which social, economic, and institutional factors correlate with adoption and intensity of adoption of the above practices. We found that 35.4% of the farmers do not adopt any of the practices because they perceive them to be expensive, not useful, and difficult to adopt. The rest (64.6%) adopt at least one of the practices to control weeds, pests and diseases, and consequently increase crop yields. Our results indicate that farmers that perceive the aforementioned practices to be more beneficial, cultivate multiple plots, and have access to extension services adopt more of the practices. Farmer age and distance to source of inputs negatively correlate with adoption and intensity of adoption of agricultural practices. Almost two-thirds each of adopters and non-adopters do not have access to agricultural extension services and this could pose threats to the sustainability of the forest reserves within and around which the farmers cultivate. Educating farmers on agricultural practices that are forest-friendly is critical in the forest-fringe communities of Ghana. The correct application of practices could double outputs and minimize threats to forests and biodiversity through land-sparing.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong & Jeffrey Sayer & Colin J. Macgregor & Sean Sloan, 2021. "Factors Influencing the Adoption of Agricultural Practices in Ghana’s Forest-Fringe Communities," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:3:p:266-:d:511694
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/3/266/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/3/266/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ivan S. Adolwa & Stefan Schwarze & Imogen Bellwood-Howard & Nikolaus Schareika & Andreas Buerkert, 2017. "A comparative analysis of agricultural knowledge and innovation systems in Kenya and Ghana: sustainable agricultural intensification in the rural–urban interface," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 34(2), pages 453-472, June.
    2. Boureima Yacouba Karidjo & Zhanqi Wang & Yamba Boubacar & Chao Wei, 2018. "Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of Soil and Water Control Technology (SWCT) in Keita Valley, a Semi-Arid Area of Niger," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Epiphane Sodjinou & Laurent Glin & Gian Nicolay & Silvère Tovignan & Jonas Hinvi, 2015. "Socioeconomic determinants of organic cotton adoption in Benin, West Africa," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 3(1), pages 1-22, December.
    4. Julius Manda & Arega D. Alene & Cornelis Gardebroek & Menale Kassie & Gelson Tembo, 2016. "Adoption and Impacts of Sustainable Agricultural Practices on Maize Yields and Incomes: Evidence from Rural Zambia," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(1), pages 130-153, February.
    5. Gian Nicola Francesconi & Fleur Wouterse, 2015. "Promoting the role of farmer-based organizations for value chain integration: the tension between a program's targeting and an organization's investment strategy," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 46(4), pages 527-536, July.
    6. Hailemariam Teklewold & Menale Kassie & Bekele Shiferaw, 2013. "Adoption of Multiple Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Rural Ethiopia," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(3), pages 597-623, September.
    7. Vine Mutyasira & Dana Hoag & Dustin L. Pendell & Dale T. Manning, 2018. "Is Sustainable Intensification Possible? Evidence from Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-13, November.
    8. Theodoros Skevas & Spiro E. Stefanou & Alfons Oude Lansink, 2013. "Do Farmers Internalise Environmental Spillovers of Pesticides in Production?," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(3), pages 624-640, September.
    9. Pedro A. Sanchez, 2009. "A smarter way to combat hunger," Nature, Nature, vol. 458(7235), pages 148-148, March.
    10. Gazali Issahaku & Awudu Abdulai, 2020. "Adoption of climate‐smart practices and its impact on farm performance and risk exposure among smallholder farmers in Ghana," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 64(2), pages 396-420, April.
    11. Emmanuel Donkor & Victor Owusu & Enoch Owusu-Sekyere & Abiodun A. Ogundeji, 2018. "The Adoption of Farm Innovations among Rice Producers in Northern Ghana: Implications for Sustainable Rice Supply," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-13, August.
    12. Abdulai, Awudu & Binder, Claudia R., 2006. "Slash-and-burn cultivation practice and agricultural input demand and output supply," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(2), pages 201-220, April.
    13. Trebbin, Anika, 2014. "Linking small farmers to modern retail through producer organizations – Experiences with producer companies in India," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 35-44.
    14. Place, Frank & Barrett, Christopher B. & Freeman, H. Ade & Ramisch, Joshua J. & Vanlauwe, Bernard, 2003. "Prospects for integrated soil fertility management using organic and inorganic inputs: evidence from smallholder African agricultural systems," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 365-378, August.
    15. Ehiakpor, Dennis Sedem & Danso-Abbeam, Gideon & Mubashiru, Yussif, 2021. "Adoption of interrelated sustainable agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    16. Ninon Sirdey & Benoit Lallau, 2020. "How do producer organisations enhance farmers’ empowerment in the context of fair trade certification?," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(2), pages 166-180, July.
    17. Nkegbe, Paul Kwame & Shankar, Bhavani, 2014. "Adoption intensity of soil and water conservation practices by smallholders: evidence from Northern Ghana," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 3(2), pages 1-16, August.
    18. Faße, Anja & Grote, Ulrike, 2013. "The economic relevance of sustainable agroforestry practices — An empirical analysis from Tanzania," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 86-96.
    19. Zakaria, Abraham & Azumah, Shaibu Baanni & Appiah-Twumasi, Mark & Dagunga, Gilbert, 2020. "Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices among farm households in Ghana: The role of farmer participation in training programmes," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    20. Kassie, Menale & Jaleta, Moti & Shiferaw, Bekele & Mmbando, Frank & Mekuria, Mulugetta, 2013. "Adoption of interrelated sustainable agricultural practices in smallholder systems: Evidence from rural Tanzania," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 80(3), pages 525-540.
    21. Ninon Sirdey & Benoit Lallau, 2020. "How do producer organisations enhance farmers’ empowerment in the context of fair trade certification?," Post-Print hal-03127386, HAL.
    22. Nkomoki, William & Bavorová, Miroslava & Banout, Jan, 2018. "Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and food security threats: Effects of land tenure in Zambia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 532-538.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mohammed Muniru Abubakari & Kwabena Asomanin Anaman & Ama Asantewah Ahene-Codjoe, 2022. "Urbanization and Arable Land Use in Northern Ghana: A Case Study of the Sagnarigu Municipality in the Greater Tamale Area," Applied Economics and Finance, Redfame publishing, vol. 9(1), pages 68-84, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Giuseppe Maggio & Marina Mastrorillo & Nicholas J. Sitko, 2022. "Adapting to High Temperatures: Effect of Farm Practices and Their Adoption Duration on Total Value of Crop Production in Uganda," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 104(1), pages 385-403, January.
    2. Aslihan Arslan & Kristin Floress & Christine Lamanna & Leslie Lipper & Solomon Asfaw & Todd Rosenstock, 2020. "IFAD RESEARCH SERIES 63 - The adoption of improved agricultural technologies - A meta-analysis for Africa," IFAD Research Series 304758, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
    3. Yang, Qi & Zhu, Yueji & Liu, Ling & Wang, Fang, 2021. "Land tenure stability and adoption intensity of sustainable agricultural practices: Evidence from banana farmers in China," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315254, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    4. Hörner, Denise & Wollni, Meike, 2021. "Integrated soil fertility management and household welfare in Ethiopia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    5. Martey, Edward & Kuwornu, John K.M., 2021. "Perceptions of Climate Variability and Soil Fertility Management Choices Among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    6. Tschopp, Maurice & Ceddia, M. Graziano & Inguaggiato, Carla & Bardsley, Nicholas O. & Hernández, Hernán, 2020. "Understanding the adoption of sustainable silvopastoral practices in Northern Argentina: What is the role of land tenure?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    7. Woldegebrial Zeweld & Guido Van Huylenbroeck & Girmay Tesfay & Hossein Azadi & Stijn Speelman, 2018. "Impacts of Socio-Psychological Factors on Actual Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Dryland and Water Stressed Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, August.
    8. repec:ags:aaea22:335656 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Edinam Dope Setsoafia & Wanglin Ma & Alan Renwick, 2022. "Effects of sustainable agricultural practices on farm income and food security in northern Ghana," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, December.
    10. Ali M. Oumer & Michael Burton & Atakelty Hailu & Amin Mugera, 2020. "Sustainable agricultural intensification practices and cost efficiency in smallholder maize farms: Evidence from Ethiopia," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 51(6), pages 841-856, November.
    11. Kim, Jongwoo & Mason, Nicole M. & Snapp ,Sieglinde, 2017. "Does Sustainable Intensification of Maize Production Enhance Child Nutrition? Evidence from Rural Tanzania," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 265406, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    12. Zeweld, Woldegebrial & Van Huylenbroeck, Guido & Tesfay, Girmay & Azadi, Hossein & Speelman, Stijn, 2020. "Sustainable agricultural practices, environmental risk mitigation and livelihood improvements: Empirical evidence from Northern Ethiopia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    13. Arslan, Aslihan & Belotti, Federico & Lipper, Leslie, 2017. "Smallholder productivity and weather shocks: Adoption and impact of widely promoted agricultural practices in Tanzania," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 68-81.
    14. Misganaw Teshager Abeje & Atsushi Tsunekawa & Enyew Adgo & Nigussie Haregeweyn & Zerihun Nigussie & Zemen Ayalew & Asres Elias & Dessalegn Molla & Daregot Berihun, 2019. "Exploring Drivers of Livelihood Diversification and Its Effect on Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, May.
    15. Kim, Jongwoo & Mason, Nicole M. & Snapp, Sieglinde S., 2018. "Does sustainable intensification of maize production enhance child nutrition? Evidence from rural Tanzania," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 273906, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    16. Nkomoki, William & Bavorová, Miroslava & Banout, Jan, 2018. "Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and food security threats: Effects of land tenure in Zambia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 532-538.
    17. Kazushi Takahashi & Rie Muraoka & Keijiro Otsuka, 2020. "Technology adoption, impact, and extension in developing countries’ agriculture: A review of the recent literature," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 51(1), pages 31-45, January.
    18. Alexis Rampa & Yiorgos Gadanakis & Gillian Rose, 2020. "Land Reform in the Era of Global Warming—Can Land Reforms Help Agriculture Be Climate-Smart?," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-24, November.
    19. Baiyegunhi, L.J.S. & Hassan, M.B. & Danso-Abbeam, G. & Ortmann, G.F., 2019. "Diffusion and adoption of Integrated Striga Management (ISM) technologies among smallholder maize farmers in rural northern Nigeria," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 109-115.
    20. Banchayehu Tessema Assefa & Jordan Chamberlin & Martin K. van Ittersum & Pytrik Reidsma, 2021. "Usage and Impacts of Technologies and Management Practices in Ethiopian Smallholder Maize Production," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-19, September.
    21. Ignaciuk, A. & Maggio, G. & Mastrorillo, M. & Sitko, N., 2021. "Adapting to high temperatures: evidence on the impacts of sustainable agricultural practices in Uganda," ESA Working Papers 309364, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:3:p:266-:d:511694. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.