ADOPTION OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS AMONG FOOD CROP FARMERS IN THE SISSALA EAST DISTRICT

Abstract

NGOs and MoFA have been initiating and implementing Climate Smart Agricultural projects in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region of Ghana particularly from 2010 to 2016. The study examines the adoption levels of CSA innovations by smallholder farmers and how adoption of CSA impact on food crop production. The sample size for the study was 399 farmers. Primary data was collected through household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The adoption quotient was used to categorize farmer’s adoption of various CSA practices into high, medium and low. The Ordinary Least Square estimation was then used to determine the effect of farmer’s adoption of CSA practices on the yields of four major crops namely, maize, soya, beans and groundnuts. Farmers identified various permutations between indigenous and introduced CSA practices. Their various pairings were further analyzed using percentages. The most adopted introduced CSA was the use of improved seeds whiles sulphate weedicide mixture for weeds control was highest for indigenous CSA practices. The ordinary Least Square results show that farmer’s adoption of both Indigenous and introduced CSA practices were significant in determining the yield of maize and soya at 1 percent. Farmers who adopted CSA increased their yields per acre by 0.72kg and 0.19kg for maize and soya respectively. Twelve (12) areas for synergies were identified between indigenous and introduced CSA practices however; current CSA model does not give room for effective synergies. It is concluded that adoption of CSA has a positive contribution to sustainable agricultural intensification and improved livelihoods. It is recommended that current indigenous practices being used by farmers be further examined for their effectiveness and best ways of blending with introduced CSA to promote high adoption.