Warehouse receipt system: A shift to improve maize marketing in Ghana

Abstract

The study assessed the influence of warehouse receipt system (WRS) on market access using 400 smallholder maize farmers from six communities in the Northern Region of Ghana. Primary data were collected through the use of an open-ended questionnaire. The endogenous switching regression model and propensity score matching was employed for data analysis. The results showed that participation in the WRS was mostly influenced by loan accessibility, size of crop output, established buyers, and membership in farmer organizations. The implications of the results are discussed. The paper concludes that the sustainability of farmer participation in WRS lies in strengthening farmer organizations and access to high-end markets through forming trust relationships with buyers.