Effect Of Human Capital On Maize Productivity In Ghana: A Quantile Regression Approach

Agriculture continues to play an important role in the economy of most African countries. Thus, productivity growth in agriculture is necessary for economic growth and poverty reduction of the region. While, theoretically, investing in human capital improves productivity, the empirical evidence is somewhat mixed, especially in developing countries. In Ghana, maize is associated with household food security, and low-income households are considered food insecure if they have no maize in stock. But, due to low productivity, Ghanaian farmers are yet to produce enough to meet local demand. Using quantile and OLS regression techniques, this study contributes to the literature on human capital and productivity by assessing the effect of human capital (captured by education, farming experience and access to extension services) on maize productivity in Ghana. The results suggest that although human capital has no significant effect on maize yields, its effect on productivity varies across quantiles.