Ghana’s Planting for Food and Jobs Programme: A Look at the Role of Capability in Farmers’ Participation

Abstract

An objective interpersonal comparison of wellbeing requires that people's capabilities are considered. This paper operationalizes Sen's capability concept in maize-based farming systems and assess how it influences farmers' participation in the Planting for Food and Jobs programme in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District of the Northern region, Ghana. We used data from 314 households through multi-stage sampling procedure. Capability was quantified using factor analysis, while its determinants were identified through multiple linear regression analysis. Afterwards, an instrumental variable probit model was used to examine the effect of capability on programme participation. The factor analysis results reveal two attributes of capability, which were labeled as human capability and institutional capability. These capability attributes are significantly enhanced by availability of markets and good roads. The probit model results provide substantial evidence that both attributes of capability influence farmers' participation in the Planting for Food and Jobs programme. Specifically, a one standardized unit increase in institutional capability increases the probability of participation by 10.45%. The findings indicate that, for effective participation in agricultural interventions, farmers' capabilities need to be enhanced. This could be achieved through the provision of, and/or improvement in infrastructure, including roads and markets in remote production centers.

Agriculture for Sustainable Development: A SWOT-AHP Assessment of Ghana’s Planting for Food and Jobs Initiative

“…Figure 1 shows the different ecological zones in Ghana. Agriculture in Ghana is predominantly agrarian, engaging almost half of the Ghanaian population [2,3,8]. The sector is a major livelihood source for about 44.7% of the country's active labor force [3,10] and engages about 83% of rural households.…”

“…Agriculture in Ghana is predominantly agrarian, engaging almost half of the Ghanaian population [2,3,8]. The sector is a major livelihood source for about 44.7% of the country's active labor force [3,10] and engages about 83% of rural households. In rural Ghana, 93%, 81.3%, and 64.7% of households in rural savannah, rural forest, and coastal areas, respectively, are engaged in the sector [12].…”

“…It plays a significant role in poverty reduction [1], thus helping in attaining the first and second pillars of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite reducing poverty and malnutrition by half by the end of 2015 under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) [2], a considerable number of the Ghanaian population still live below the poverty line of USD 1.25 per day [3]. This is primarily attributed to low agricultural productivity since the Ghanaian agricultural sector is predominantly smallholder.…”

“…Since its implementation, several studies have assessed the performance of the PFJ program on crop yield and farmer participation [3,7,8]. However, no study has yet been conducted to evaluate the external and internal factors that influence the program's implementation as well as prescribe measures to improve and enhance its performance.…”

Analysing the determinants, constraints and opportunities of smallholder farmers’ access to input markets: evidence from northern Ghana

“…A number of opportunities were identified which could serve as a catalyst for transforming input markets for value chain actors, especially young men and women who have a chance to have better access to input markets with a view of increased productivity, incomes and employment. These opportunities were first identified through published strategic documents and studies that analysed the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Initiative as well as emerging opportunities and impact areas (see PFJ, 2017;Lambongany et al, 2019;Tanko et al, 2019;Ansah et al, 2020). The opportunities mapped out were then validated through FGDs and KIIs conducted in the communities.…”