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What Determines Adoption of Fertilizers among Rice-Producing Households in Northern Ghana?

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  • Wiredu, Alexander Nimo
  • Zeller, Manfred
  • Diagne, Aliou

Abstract

Fertilizers remain important in global food production, yet fertilizer application rates in sub-Saharan Africa are far below global average. This study examines determinants of adoption of fertilizers in general and an important fertilizer combination among 820 rice-producing households in northern Ghana. Overall, nearly 67% of rice-producing households use fertilizer. The combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), and ammonium (NH4) fertilizers is the most popular with about 44% adoption incidence rate. Results from Cragg’s two-step regression models show that different sets of factors affect the probability and intensity of adoption. The sets of factors also vary when fertilizer adoption in general is compared to the combination of NPK and NH4 fertilizers. The decisions also vary when whole farm operation is compared to specific farm enterprise. The factors that are found to be important in determining adoption include participation in a fertilizer subsidy program and expectation about yields. Good agricultural practices including, drilling of seeds, and harrowing of fields are also shown to be important determinants of fertilizer adoption. Effective adoption of the combination of NPK and NH4 fertilizers in particular can be achieved by enhancing access to information that will expose farm households to the benefits of these practices and also of complementary technologies such as improved seeds.

Suggested Citation

  • Wiredu, Alexander Nimo & Zeller, Manfred & Diagne, Aliou, 2015. "What Determines Adoption of Fertilizers among Rice-Producing Households in Northern Ghana?," Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, Humboldt-Universitaat zu Berlin, vol. 54(3), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:qjiage:225953
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.225953
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