THE EFFECT OF LIVELIHOOD RESTORATION TRAINING FROM LARGE-SCALE LAND ACQUISITION OWNERS ON SMALLHOLDER FARMERS' LIVELIHOODS IN THE TALENSI DISTRICT OF GHANA

Abstract

Large-scale land acquisitions in Ghana have profoundly affected natural resources and the livelihoods of rural farm households. These acquisitions often lead to reduced access to arable land and disrupt traditional farming practices, creating challenges for household food security and farm income sustainability. This study examined the effect of livelihood restoration training from owners of LSLAs on household food security and farm income, and the factors influencing coping strategies adopted by the affected households. A sample size of 400 households were selected through a multistage sampling technique. An endogenous treatment regression model was used to analyze the effect of livelihood restoration training on household food security and farm income. A multivariate probit model was used to examine the determinants of coping strategies. The results revealed that participation in livelihood training increases household food security and farm income. Furthermore, the results from the multivariate probit regression showed that the factors that influence the adoption of coping strategies include household size, access to credit, age of household head, farming experience, relative in leadership position, FBO membership, LSLA training and others. These findings emphasized the importance of livelihood training in improving welfare among affected households in the Talensi District. The study recommends that the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, the District Assembly and the LSLA owners expand and intensify programs focused on providing livelihood recovery capacity building training to more affected households.