FARMERS’ PREFERENCES AND USE OF CERTIFIED GROUNDNUT SEED IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

Groundnut farmers face production losses through Aflatoxin infestation and bad weather conditions. These losses could be avoided if the right planting material is used. Unlike in the case of rice and maize, use of CGS is limited, largely due to the unavailability and low level of usage by farmers in Northern Ghana where much of the production is done. Motivated by this argument, the study examines farmers’ preferences and use of certified groundnut seed in Northern Ghana. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect cross-sectional data from 250 smallholder groundnut farmers,10 input dealers, 10 seed production companies and one research institution for the analysis. Using descriptive data analysis approach, the study demonstrated that, the incentives for commercial production of CGS on the producer and supplier side include; high demand, high profit, contracts and support from NGOs and projects. The study also identified the most preferred seed attributes by farmers to be high-yielding and big-nut whereas reddish-nut was the least preferred. Jute sack and selling of CGS to farmers in their communities in group was the most preferred packaging material and distribution channel respectively. The Cragg’s Double Hurdle model was used to estimate farmers’ decision and use intensity of CGS. The results revealed that farmers’ decision to use CGS was influenced by age, educational status, extension service, credit access, farm size, household size, input distance, output distance and transport access. However, farmers’ use intensity of CGS was affected by access to extension service, price of CGS, Farmer-Based Organizations’ (FBO) membership, output distance, and input distance. The identified constraints in groundnut seed production and marketing include; lack of government subsidy, land tenure issues, high price of CGS, poor road networks, ineffective field inspection by Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate, few producers and poor partnership among value chain actors. The study recommends that Ministry of Food and Agriculture(MoFA) should increase farmers’ knowledge of CGS through their extension agents. FBOs should be established to help input dealers market and distribute CGS to farmers through Seed Brokerage System (SBS). SBS can facilitate bulk purchase by farmers in groups thereby ensuring timely acquisition and delivery of seeds to farmers in their communities. Groundnut seed breeders should consider the preferences of farmers in the production of foundation seeds.