AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION AND MARKET PARTICIPATION AMONG SMALLHOLDER RICE FARMERS IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

In recent years the contribution of rice production from northern Ghana to national production has declined, thereby raising concerns of productivity. This study is carried out to examine agricultural technology adoption and market participation among smallholder rice farmers in northern Ghana. A sample size of 429 rice farming households from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions was used for the study. Multivariate probit model was used to estimate adoption of improved rice production technologies. Multivariate Distance Matching method was used to evaluate the effect of improved variety on yield of rice. The level and intensity of output market participation were analysed using the Quantile regression and Heckman model respectively. The results indicate low technology adoption rates. Improved rice variety was the most adopted technology followed by chemical fertiliser usage, herbicide application, dibbling or drilling of seed and bunding. Adoption of the production technologies were influenced by family labour, land ownership, number of rice plots, access to training, soil type, household expenditure and distance to parcel. Adopters of improved rice varieties recorded higher yields per acre compared with non-adopters. Generally, average yield of rice was low and traditional rice varieties are still preferred by some farm households. Market participation was high with majority of farm households selling a greater proportion of their output. Size of rice plot, cultivation of improved variety, yield per acre, selling price and training on rice production influenced output market behaviour of rain fed rice farm households. The study recommends that national agricultural subsidy programmes be strengthened and expanded to include other complementary technologies of rice farming. Government and research institutions should promote extension and training to stimulate adoption of improved technology. Market information delivery and market infrastructure development should be improved.