3 research outputs found
Market Access through Cooperative Action: Insights from Shea Cooperatives in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana
No full textAims: The aim of this study is to investigate how cooperative activity in the shea business affects market access. Access to shea business market is fundamental for the success of shea production. Yet shea nuts pickers are not always able to provide the shea nuts because of the seasonal nature making ready market a challenge.
Place of Study: This study was conducted to assess market access through cooperative action: Insights from shea cooperatives in the Tamale metropolis.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used in this study among study participants in the Tamale metropolis. Simple random sampling technique was applied to obtain a sample size of 384. The collected data was filled on cleared for completeness and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version (SPSS) 21.0 and Microsoft word excels 2013.
Results: From the results, 384 (100%) study participants indicated that cooperative assisted them to get access to market information about shea production. The results showed that, 84% study participants cited that being a member of the cooperative helped them to get ready market for shea nut/butter products. The results also showed that, the category of study participants and age were significantly associated with knowledge of factors that undermine the shea cooperatives from accessing markets (χ2=45.7, p=0.001; χ2=49.7, p=0.002) respectively. However, variables such as education and marital status respectively (χ2=10.3, p=0.10; χ2=10.5, p=0.14) were not statistically significant and had no association
Conclusion: The study concluded that, cooperatives had a positive effect on women access to shea market at the study setting. Among other things, the study recommends that, cooperative governance structures should be strengthened to enhance coordination, bulk marketing, and collective bargaining power for better market access
Adapting to a changing climate: Smallholder farmers\u27 perceptions and responses in Northern Ghana
No full textThis research examines knowledge, adaptation response, and problems encountered by smallholder farmers while countering climate change in the East Mamprusi District in Ghana. This study was guided by the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). A cross-sectional survey design was used, and data were collected from 120 farmers sampled from a study population of 1200 farmers, using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics indicated a high level of awareness about climate change, and adaptation responses like mixed farming, application of inorganic manure, and early planting were practiced on a regular basis. Binary logistic regression supported education as a predictor of adaptation behavior. That is, farmers who were educated were more than four times likely to adopt early planting (OR = 4.26, p = .030). Moreover, exploratory factor analysis of five major challenges supported two underlying factors: institutional and informational constraints, and technical and resource-related barriers. The results concluded that adaptation is conditioned by personal traits and structural impediments. Enhancing farmers\u27 access to information, technical advice, and institutional services is suggested in order to enhance their resilience
Influence of Communication on Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of Agriculture Innovations in Damongo of the Savannah Region of Ghana
No full textFarmers continue to adopt varied innovations as a way of helping them improve their food security. This study assessed communication factors affecting the adoption of agricultural innovations among farmers in Damongo in the Savannah region. The study relied on Rogers\u27 Diffusion of Innovation theory. The study employed a descriptive cross sectional study design. The study was targeted at smallholder farmers within the study area. Simple random sampling technique was applied to obtain eligible participants of 272 from a study population of 850. A structured questionnaire was used to gather the data. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) windows version 26.0. The results show that all 272 farmers indicated that they were adopting the application of fertilizers at the study setting. About 60.7% of the respondents did not adopt disease resistant crop varieties at the study setting as part of innovations in farming. From the results, 55.1% of respondents indicated that they had ever felt the positive effect of using agricultural innovations. There was a significant association between off farm occupation and age of respondents, and Innovation usage (p= 0.000, p=0.014). Also, a logistic regression model was adopted to analyze the effect of channels of information on farmers’ adoption of agriculture innovations. The results revealed that all channels of information were statistically significant and farmers that used these channels were more likely to adopt. From the results, 72.1% of respondents said agricultural innovation helps them to process cassava into flour. The results also indicate that there is a moderate association between educational level and innovation usage. Based on the results, the study concluded that, farmers were aware of certain agricultural innovations used in the study setting. The study also concluded that age and off farm occupation also influences Innovation usage. The study recommended more education by Extension Officers on how farmers in the study setting could adopt agricultural innovation to improve food security
