Impacts of Farmer Innovation Systems and Improved Agricultural Technologies on Rice Yield in Ghana

Abstract

To increase and bridge the differences in rice yield, many farmers have resorted to adopting farmer innovation systems and improved agricultural technologies. This study analysed the impact of adoption of farmer innovation systems and improved agricultural technologies on rice yield using multinomial endogenous switching regression. Nine-hundred and seven (907) rice farmers from Guinea Savannah Zone, Forest Savannah Transition Zone and Coastal Savannah Zone were used for the study. The study used both primary and secondary data. Membership of farmer-based organisations, rice farming experience and distance from farming communities to input markets increase farmers’ adoption of only farmer innovation systems. Factors that increase farmers’ probability of adopting only improved agricultural technologies are access to extension service, credit, improved seeds and contract farming. Farmers located in Coastal Savannah Zone have higher probability of adopting only improved agricultural technologies than their counterparts living in other agro-ecological zones. Age and access to input subsidy increase the probability of jointly adopting farmer innovation systems and improved agricultural technologies. Farmer Innovation Systems and improved agricultural technologies have heterogeneous impact on rice yield with adoption of only improved agricultural technologies having the highest impact followed by joint adoption of farmer innovation systems and improved agricultural technologies. It is important for stakeholders in rice subsector to champion the provision of improved rice seeds, the intensification of agricultural extension services and contract farming concept.