Adoption and impact of high quality bambara flour (HQBF) technology in the Northern Region of Ghana

Abstract

The study focused on the level of adoption of high quality bambara flour (HQBF) processing technology and its impact on end-users. A random sample of 100 women, mainly bambara processors, was selected from Gushiegu/Karaga, Tolon Kumbungu, Savelugu-Nanton, and Tamale districts of the Northern Region of Ghana for interview in June 2004. The Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS), Excel and Econometric Views were used to analyse general data, and the Logit model used to investigate the determinants of adoption. The findings established an effective utilisation level of HQBF at 68 per cent. Variables hypothesized to influence adoption of the improved processing technology from the respondents' own assessments included time of awareness, consumer acceptability/quality of products, credit, availability of raw materials, and sunshine. However, the first two were statistically significant using the Logit model. The technology had had economic impact on 28 per cent of the processors interviewed as a result of 12.5 per cent increase in demand for bambara-based products.