Rice Farming in Ghana: Exploring Varietal Choices, Perceptions, and Production Constraints in Ejura-Sekyeredumase, Atwima Nwabiegya, and Kedjebi Districts

This paper examined farmers’ perceptions, constraints and preferences for improved rice varieties among smallholders in Ghana. Using data from 411 randomly selected farmers from the Ejura-Sekyeredumase, Atwima Nwabiegya, and Kedjebi Districts, a 5-point Likert was used to examine farmers’ perception on improved rice varieties. The Kendall’s Coefficient of concordance was used to rank key constraints To estimate the factors influencing farmers’ choice of rice varieties among available alternatives, the multinomial logistic regression (MNL) model was used. The result revealed a favorable attitude toward improved rice varieties among Ghanaian farmers generally, particularly regarding yield, market demand, and cooking quality. The MNL results revealed that age has a consistent negative effect across all varieties, with older farmers favoring landrace, likely due to familiarity and lower risk tolerance. Education significantly influenced varietal selection, reflecting informed decision-making shaped by agronomic or market factors. Distance positively affected the adoption of AGRA Rice, indicating that logistical challenges encourage its selection over Landrace. Farming experience and extension visits ewere positively associated with Amankwatia, highlighting its appeal to experienced farmers as well as the critical role of advisory services in promoting its adoption. Additionally, male farmers exhibited a slight preference for Jasmine over Landrace. Beyond varietal choice, the study also explored constraints in rice production. , Results revealed that, limited access to capital and low commodity prices are the most pressing issues, while infrastructural and mechanization challenges also featuredd prominently. These findings provided valuable insights into the interplay of demographic, logistical, and advisory factors in shaping adoption of varieties. Policymakers and stakeholders must adopt a holistic approach, integrating financial, technical, and infrastructural solutions to address these constraints comprehensively.