Robert Aidoo

Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science and Technology | KNUST · Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension

Maize is a vital staple food crop in Ghana, providing nutrition and income for millions of farm households. However, postharvest losses pose a significant threat to the maize value chain, limiting its impact on livelihoods. Besides, there are few empirical studies that examine the socioeconomic and farm-level factors that influence maize postharves...

There have been rising concerns about the implementation and effective monitoring of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme in Ghana. This paper examines farmers’ perceptions and impact of the PFJ programme on yield and profitability of maize in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Using data from 400 maize producers, we employ perception indices,...

This paper evaluates the impact of the adoption of cocoa hand pollination (CHP) on the welfare of smallholder cocoa producers. Using data collected from 1200 cocoa farmers in Huni Valley and Kejebril districts of Ghana, we employed endogenous switching regression, propensity score matching and inverse probability weighted adjustment techniques to a...

This study evaluates the quality of compost produced from household biowaste (CBIO), aquatic invasive plants (CAIP) and a mixture of the invasive plants and biowaste (CBAIP) and the effect of their application on maize yield in comparison with mineral fertilizer (NPK). The composts were produced using Aerobin 400 Composter with aquatic invasive pla...

Working conditions and wellbeing (quality of life) could be linked, and they in turn enhance social and economic development. Nevertheless, working conditions of farmhands have largely been ignored in policy and research. We explored working conditions of migrant and native farmhands on Ghana's cocoa farms, and implications on wellbeing, using prim...

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) contributes to food security and reduction of poverty in Ghana. However, low yields minimize the potential financial returnof peanut in part because of limited access by farmers to high quality seed. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of peanut seed saved by farmers, seed purchased from local markets,...

Peanut remains a major staple and important cash crop in Ghana. Seed quality is a critical component of successful peanut production in Ghana. A survey of 200 peanut farmers documented perceptions of seed quality attributes in 2019 in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Bono East, and Ashanti Regions of Ghana. Farmer-saved seed was the main sourc...

Maintenance of genetic purity of crop cultivars is critical to meet the needs of farmers, processors, and consumers. In Ghana where the informal seed sector is popular (e. g., farmer-saved seed), purity of improved cultivars in the farming community can be compromised. The objective of the study was to assess the genetic purity of farmer-saved seed...

Poultry production has significant potential to reduce protein deficiency, food insecurity and poverty in Ghana. However, limited vertical integration and high cost of production in the sector have stifled growth and exposed poultry farms in the country to many risks, leading to poor business performance. This study uses cross-sectional data from 1...

The pursuit to achieve zero hunger and food security of the Sustainable Development Goal-2 (SDG-2) is leading to a massive transformation of conventional food production systems into innovative systems of agriculture, such as greenhouse farming across the globe. However, empirical studies on consumers’ opinions and choices of greenhouse products ar...

Purpose The objectives of this paper are to analyze the drivers of smoked marine fish prices and examine the challenges along the value chain to inform policy. Design/methodology/approach The study relies on cross-sectional data from 158 fish smokers, 100 wholesalers, and 120 retailers in Ghana. The challenges faced by the actors along the chain a...

This study evaluates the quality and performance of compost produced from household biowaste (CBIO), aquatic invasive plants (CAIP) and a mixture of the invasive plants and biowaste (CBAIP) in comparison with mineral fertilizer (NPK) application. The composts were produced using Aerobin 400 Composter with aquatic invasive plant collected from the O...

Insect infestation during the storage of cowpea is a major challenge among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Farmers use various postharvest storage methods to deal with insect pests, including insecticides, which may result in health and environmental hazards. Four hundred (400) cowpea farmers were interviewed on their perceptions a...

Over the years, the traditional seed system has failed to deliver quality seed yam for propagation. This is due to the high incidence and severity of the yam mosaic virus leading to yield losses of 52.6%–65.4%. The Positive Selection (PS) technique has shown promise as a possible mitigation measure. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the...

We investigated rice marketing outlets, commercialization, and welfare implications in rural Ghana. Primary data was gathered from 225 rural rice farmers. Fractional response, multinomial logistic, multivariate probit, and propensity score matching were estimated. Rice farmers in rural Ghana sell at farm gates, processing centers, local, district o...

Purpose The study assessed welfare of migrant and non-migrant labourers on cocoa farms in Ghana, using multidimensional poverty index (MPI) with four dimensions (education, health, dietary diversity, living standards) and 21 indicators. Specifically, we examined and compared non-monetary welfare of migrant and non-migrant labourers on cocoa farms i...

The traditional system of producing small ruminants (sheep and goats) contributes significantly to the socioeconomic wellbeing of farm households in northern Ghana. Besides serving as an important source of income, sheep and goats also offer important non-pecuniary benefits such as the provision of manure, savings, insurance, farm portfolio diversi...

This study analyzed the determinants of households’ access and use of improved water for domestic purposes in the Northern Region of Ghana, using a survey of 356 households selected using the multi-stage sampling technique. The Logit Regression Model, Multinomial Regression Model and the Kendell’s Coefficient of Concordance were the analytical meth...

Purpose This study investigates implications of crop and income diversifications on consumption expenditure (welfare) of rice-producing households in Ghana. It further compares diversification by three rice production systems: two-season rain-fed, two-season irrigated and one-season rain-fed rice production. Design/methodology/approach Primary dat...

This paper examines coping strategies adopted by migrant labourers on cocoa farms in Southern Ghana in the face of food shortfalls. Using primary data from 400 labourers on cocoa farms, this paper employs coping strategy index, negative binomial, Tobit and multivariate probit regression models to investigate migrants’ food coping mechanisms, and th...

Edible insects are increasingly recognised as a source of nutritional security, poverty reduction and overall household wellbeing, particularly in rural sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, for instance, edible insects such as the African palm weevil larvae are integral part of traditional dishes, which are widely consumed among different strata of the Gh...

Poultry production has significant potential to reduce protein deficiency, food insecurity and poverty in Ghana. However, limited vertical integration and high cost of production in the sector have stifled growth and exposed poultry farms in the country to many risks, leading to poor business performance. This study uses cross-sectional data from 1...

This study assessed the financial viability of establishing a 500-bird processing facility to process broiler chicken into cut parts such as thighs, wings, breasts and drumsticks in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Using data from key informants from Ghana’s poultry industry, the study estimated the net present value (NPV), benefit–cost ratio (BCR), in...

Adoption of organic fertilizer for cocoa production in Ghana: Perceptions and determinants This study assesses perceptions, determinants, and constraints of ‘Asaasenufosuo’ organic fertilizer adoption by cocoa farmers in Ghana. Primary data were sourced from 200 cocoa farmers. Perception index, Cragg’s double hurdle model, and Kendall’s coefficien...

This paper provides a compendium of the utilisation potential of aquatic invasive plants found in the Owabi Dam in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. In total, seven aquatic invasive plants were identified in the Owabi Dam, which included Ceratophyllum demersum, Nymphaea odorata, Polygonum lanigerum, Arthropteris orientalis, Typha domingensis, Pistia str...

Soya bean is an important economic crop for smallholder farming systems in Upper West Region of Ghana. In spite of the introduction of modern and improved soya bean production technologies in Ghana, the productivity of the crop in the region is still low. Given that inefficient use of resources is a potential course of low yields, this study analys...

Abstract Purpose – Poor working conditions among migrant labourers on cocoa farms may be commonplace. This could affect labour productivity and cocoa industry performance. The paper investigates migrants’ satisfaction with working conditions on cocoa farms in Ghana and the key drivers of satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – The study employe...

To promote the dissemination of Positive Selection (PS) technology for quality seed yam production, this study was undertaken to provide empirical evidence and to examine differences in the Total Factor Productivity resulting from the use of PS technology. Through multistage sampling, 368 CAY-Seed beneficiaries from Ghana and Nigeria were sampled....

A survey of 200 migrant labourers was conducted to explore whether labour migration for cocoa production in Ghana translates into greater social benefits using the net social benefit criterion. Majority of migrant labourers on cocoa farms were better off in terms of accommodation, food, medication, respect gained, social and economic impacts, and w...

The use of improved agricultural technologies that lead to improved productivity, income and food security, could also destabilize intra-household time allocation. Using primary data from 917 rice farmers in Ashanti and Upper East Regions of Ghana, this paper employs a two-stage Bourguignon, Fournier, and Gurgand (BFG) selection bias correction mod...

This study sought to assess the structure, conduct and performance of the Gari market in the Mampong and Techiman municipalities. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the communities in both municipalities. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) actors in the Gari market in each municipality including...

In view of the critical role of food value chain stakeholders in the public effort to prevent unhealthy practices that give rise to high in- cidence of obesity and other health risks, this study examined im- ported chicken value chain practices, knowledge and perceptions of key actors. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling tech- niques w...

The public debate over the effect of industrial crop production activities on women’s empowerment remains inconclusive. There are concerns that engagement in industrial crop (oil palm) related activities adversely affects females’ time allocation culminating in disempowerment. However, there is counter-argument that the improved income associated w...

Purpose Commercialization of cassava is increasing because of increased urban demand for processed products and increased recognition of the industrial potential of the crop. This study aims to examine the cassava value chain in Ghana and its implications for upgrading. Design/methodology/approach A combination of purposive, simple random and snow...

The study analysed the varieties, sources and quantities of seed yam demanded by farmers for cultivation in order to inform policies aimed at ensuring adequate supply of quality seed yam of desirable varieties at an affordable price to boost yam productivity for improved income and livelihoods. A structured questionnaire was administered to 380 ran...

The study was designed to assess households' perception of the use of different water sources in Northern Ghana. The mixed-method approach was used for the study. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, the study collected cross-sectional data from 356 households in the Region for the study. Descriptive statistics and computation of perception inde...

The book provides a broad overview on root and tubers in Ghana and presents specific research papers that focus on primary production, marketing, value chains, extension, processing, value addition and new product development, as well as consumption of different root and tuber crops. With contributions from seasoned researchers and academics from u...

Abstract This research work assessed consumers’ perception and willingness to pay for cassava-sweet potato nonalcoholic beverage (Bansu). Three hundred (300) consumers were selected from the Kumasi Metropolis using a two-stage sampling technique. A three – point rating scale was employed to examine product attributes that inform the decision of con...

This study sought to assess the structure, conduct and performance of the Gari market in the Mampong and Techiman municipalities. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the communities in both municipalities. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) actors in the Gari market in each municipality including 40...

In sub-Saharan Africa, urbanisation and food systems change contribute to rapid dietary transitions promoting obesity. It is unclear to what extent these changes are mediated by neighbourhood food environments or other factors. This paper correlates neighbourhood food provision with household consumption and poverty in Khayelitsha, South Africa and...

In spite of substantial investments in developing and disseminating improved maize production technologies by successive governments and several development partners, technology adoption in Ghana remains low. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence the extent of adoption of improved maize production technologies among f...

The study employed choice experiment and latent class model to assess farmers' preferences for seed yam certification system and their willingness to pay for certified seed yam in selected yam producing Districts in Ghana. A total of 9120 choice experiments were conducted to elicit data from 380 yam farmers. The study identified three classes/ mark...

Background In agricultural-dependent economies, extension programmes have been the main conduit for disseminating information on farm technologies, support rural adult learning and assist farmers in developing their farm technical and managerial skills. It is expected that extension programmes will help increase farm productivity, farm revenue, red...

The study examined the effect of farmers’ perception about the quality of seed yam typically used for cultivation on their preferences for certified seed yam. Heckman’s sample selectivity probit model was applied on survey data collected from 380 yam farmers. The study found that farmers generally agree that the use of certified seed yam would help...

Several studies have been conducted on postharvest handling of carrot and mitigating strategies to deal with the high postharvest losses and ensure food security. One of these is recent study conducted on the development of a drink from carrot to curb these postharvest losses Ghana faces each year in relation to carrot cultivation. To assess the ma...

An important pre-requisite to access credit from formal financial institutions is smallholder farmers’ ownership and usage of an active account. This study analyzed financial inclusion of smallholder maize farmers in the Ejura-Sekyedumasi Municipality of Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 391 respondents. The extent of...

The study sought to test the hypothesis that gender influences adoption of innovations in the rice sector of Ghana. There is an existence of gender gap in adoption of farm innovations in Ghana. After desk review, it was found that the existing literature has not provided a clear linkage between gender and adoption of agricultural technologies. Thus...

Purpose Considering the fact that business management training has the potential to improve performance of micro and small enterprises, it is surprising why participation rates in most freely offered management training courses remain low. The purpose of this paper is to explore factors that determine an invitee’s decision to participate in a capac...

Background Cocoyam is an important food security crop in Ghana because it stores better than all other root and tuber crops. Despite its socio-economic relevance, production has declined persistently since the last decade. This study attempts to examine the profitability of cocoyam production to smallholders in Ghana by estimating the returns on cr...

This study was aimed at examining the various relationships and product pathways of the sweet potato value chain and constraints of actors along the sweet potato value chain in Ghana. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources with primary data forming the core of the study. A total of Three Hundred and Eighty (380) respondents wer...

Background Despite the enormous importance of maize in Ghana, maize farmers in the country continue to experience low yields, making Ghana self-insufficient in the production of the crop. For maize farmers to be helped to increase productivity, the focus should not only be on whether or not they have adopted productivity-enhancing technologies, but...

The aim of the paper was to identify the factors that constrain growth of street food enterprises in Ghana. The study achieved this by using panel data from two surveys to estimate the effect of constraints that are self-reported by street food vendors from Kumasi and Tamale metropolises of Ghana on growth of their businesses. Results of the study...

This paper investigates the economic impacts of climate change on cereal crop production in Northern Ghana using 240 households comprising maize and sorghum farmers. The Ricardian regression approach was used to examine the economic impacts of climate change based on data generated from a survey conducted in the 2013/2014 farming seasons. Forty-yea...

The main objective of this research project was to identify current cocoa production practices and determine the principal factors that affect the adoption of sustainable farming practices and socio-environmental certifications among small-scale cocoa farmers in Ghana. The study was conducted in two cocoa districts (Atwima Mponua and Ahafoano North...

Using an ethnographic data on land tenure arrangements in selected communities in rural Manya Krobo, Ghana and literature, this paper explains why land (tenure) reforms in Ghana have often produced discouraging results. The results of the study show that elite capture tendencies embedded in reform processes, do not always guarantee tenure security,...

The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of postharvest losses in tomato production in the Offinso North district of Ghana. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 farmers who were selected through a combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques. We used descriptive statistics to summ...

This study was conducted to examine key factors that explain the use or non-use of certified maize seeds by farmers in the Ejura-Sekyedumasi Municipal Area in Ghana. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to interview 106 farmers selected from five (5) communities through a simple random sampling method. The data were analyzed using desc...

Stakeholders operating within the yam export market lack shopper insights to formulate effective marketing and supply chain management strategies. This paper aims to show how supermarket loyalty card data on yam shoppers in the UK can be analysed to objectively assess marketing performance and prospects through year-on-year comparison of key market...

Aim: The study sought to determine consumers’ perception of the safety of leafy vegetables and how it affects their decision to purchase leafy vegetables in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Methodology: Data employed in the study comes from 200 consumers in the study area. Perceptions of consumers were assessed by using a 5-point Likert-type scale....