CONTRACT FARMING AND ADOPTION OF IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES IN MAIZE PRODUCTION IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

This study examined contract farming and adoption of improved technologies in maize production in the Northern region of Ghana. The objectives were to: identify the improved farm technologies (IFTs) being adopted in the study area and measure the extent of adoption; examine the factors influencing the adoption of IFTs; assess how participation in contract farming (CF) affect adoption of IFTs; investigate the factors influencing participation in CF as well as the problems faced by maize farmers. A total of 300 maize farmers were selected through multi-stage sampling procedure. Multivariate probit model, Poisson model with endogenous treatment, Probit model and Kendall’s coefficient (W) were used. The improved technologies were herbicide use for land preparation, improved varieties, row planting and maize legume rotation. The factors that positively and significantly influenced the adoption of IFTs were extension visit, land tenure, farm size, contract farming and age of farmers. Credit, membership of farmer based organisation and household size were significant but negative. Meanwhile, education, attitude towards risk, access to credit and interest rate all positively influenced participation in contract farming in the study area. The most pressing constraint associated with maize farming in the study area was high cost of inputs. This was followed by lack of access to credit and lack of improved varieties, among others. The study recommends that Government, NGOs, Institutions etc. should step up in increasing access to extension visit, contract farming, education, credit, land, as well as inputs. Farmers should also be encouraged and supported to go into contract farming.