EFFECTS OF ADOPTION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES ON TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF MAIZE FARMERS IN GHANA

Abstract

The rapid population growth coupled with the effects of climate change in sub-Saharan Africa has made adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) techniques even more crucial for increased farm productivity. A study on the socioeconomic analysis of SWC techniques to improve agricultural production therefore becomes imperative. This study sought to examine the farmer, farm and socioeconomic/institutional characteristics that influence the adoption of SWC techniques and adoption effects on farmers' output and technical efficiency in Ghana. The data is obtained from the Ghana Agriculture Production Survey (GAPS), a national level survey conducted by Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture with technical and financial support from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). A total sample size of 1,530 farm households selected from 20 districts across Ghana was used. The Poisson model was employed to estimate the determinants of adoption of SWC technique while the Stochastic Frontier Production function was used to analyze the effects of SWC technique adoption on output and efficiency. The study found that adoption of SWC techniques significantly affected output in maize production. Significant policy variables that were found to positively influence the adoption of S WC techniques include credit, farm size, group membership and proximity to input sale points. Also, credit, education and distance to input store significantly and positively influenced farmers' technical efficiency. In general, access to education, extension services and credit for smallholder farmers should be improved since these are strongly linked with high adoption of SWC techniques. Farmers should also be supported to form farm groups as a viable source of farm labour.