Household adoption of soil-improving practices and food insecurity in Ghana

Abstract

Background: The persistent problem of poor agricultural practices and technology use leads to food insecurity for some farmers in Ghana. Studies show that the adoption of improved agricultural practices and technology may help stabilize production and lessen food insecurity. This study addresses the link between food insecurity and the adoption of soil-improving practices. To address this link, the objectives of this study are to examine factors associated with the adoption of soil-improving practices by Ghanaian farmers and how this adoption impacts the probability of increased food security. Using survey data, two logit models are estimated to determine 1) the likelihood of adopting soil-improving practices including how food security may influence adoption and 2) the relationship between technology adoption and food security. Results: In the adoption model, being a food secure household, the use of insecticides and seasonal lease land tenure increase the probability of adopting such soil-improving practices. Farming on better soil decreases the probability of adopting soil-improving practices. Higher incomes along with the use of chemical fertilizers, farming on better soil, and the use of commercial seeds increase the probability of the household being food secure. The results on fertilizer, soil, and seeds are most likely associated with increased production. The use of insecticides (which may be an indicator of an insect infestation) lowers the probability of being food secure. Household characteristics such as income, age, education level, and household size are not significant in influencing the adoption decision or improving household food security. Conclusions:The results lend support to a need to fine-tune the fertilizer subsidy policy implemented by the Government of Ghana. The government needs to consider that the use of fertilizer may have conflicting influences on adoption of soil-improving practices and food security. Improved seed research and distribution would improve the households' food security. Inferences also suggest that it is important to consider land contract markets in policy decisions.

Welfare impact of adoption of improved cassava varieties by rural households in South Western Nigeria

“…Adoption of improved agricultural technology apparently offers opportunity to increase production and income substantially (Nweke and Akorhe, 2002) and reduce food insecurity (Nata et al, 2014). Adoption of agricultural technology depends on a range of personal, social, cultural and economic factors as well as on the characteristics of the innovation itself (Pannell et al, 2006;Omonona et al, 2006;Prokopy et al, 2008;Shiferaw et al, 2008;Eze et al, 2008;Kassie et al, 2009;Yesuf and K¨ohlin, 2008;Owusu and Donkor, 2012;Challa and Tilahun, 2014).…”

Food security in the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority Zone of Ghana: an ordered probit with household hunger scale approach

“…Based on this, Nata et al [18] applied an ordered logit model to analyse the effect of household adoption of soil-improving practices on food insecurity in Ghana. The weakness of this study lies in the measurement of the food security variable.…”

“…Also, studies of food security in Ghana have considered smaller geographical areas. Kuwornu et al [17] studied the forest belt of the Central region, Aidoo et al [12] studied the Sekyere-Afram Plains District, and Nata et al [18] studied the Ga West District in Greater Accra. This study covers the three povertystricken and the most deprived regions of Ghana usually referred to as the Savannah Zone.…”

The Impact of Agricultural Practices on Environmental Sustainability in Ghana: A Review

“…The capacity of soils to be productive depends on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of a soil as well as soil and water management practices (Delaney, 2012;Nata et al, 2014). Mismanagement of the soil and water resources can lead to degradation of the soil through erosion, compaction, salinization, acidification, and pollution by heavy metals.…”

“…Some of the mismanagement practices include preparation of the soil tilth susceptible to soil erosion and loss, over application of inorganic fertilizers and other agro-chemicals, continuous exposure of soil to agents of erosion, etc (Delaney, 2012;Nkegbe and Shankar, 2014). However, good soil and water management practices such as cover crops, zero-tillage, use of organic fertilizers, mulching, agroforestry, crop rotation as well as planting of drought-pest-disease resistant varieties can render the soil less susceptible to degradation as well as reduced buildup of agro-chemicals in the environment (Delaney, 2012;Nata et al, 2014).…”