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Impact of aquaculture training on farmers’ income: Cluster randomized controlled trial evidence in Ghana

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  • Catherine Ragasa
  • Sena Amewu
  • Seth Koranteng Agyakwah
  • Emmanuel Tetteh‐Doku Mensah
  • Ruby Asmah

Abstract

Aquaculture in Ghana is experiencing tremendous growth, led mainly by large‐scale commercial cage operators. A major objective of the government and its partners is to ensure that this rapid growth is sustainable and includes small‐scale farmers and poor rural producers. This paper evaluates the aquaculture trainings implemented in six main tilapia‐producing regions in Ghana as part of the Ghana Tilapia Seed Project. The impact evaluation is designed as a cluster randomized controlled trial, with half of the producing districts randomly‐assigned as the treatment and the rest as the control, complemented by qualitative interviews. One year after the trainings, results show positive impacts on the adoption of good record‐keeping, water management, and some biosecurity practices, and on productivity and incomes. In terms of mechanism, improved management practices resulted from reducing overstocking, reducing inbreeding, maintaining water level for fish ponds, regular pond clearing and establishing physical barriers, following advice and recommendations on feeding practices, and complementing feeding practices with farmers’ own feed formulation. Half of the trained farmers experienced lower fish mortality, faster growth, and heavier fish at harvest. Marketing and processing advice through the trainings and complementary FishConnect WhatsApp platform likely contributed to higher incomes, although the platform's coverage and regular updating can be improved.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine Ragasa & Sena Amewu & Seth Koranteng Agyakwah & Emmanuel Tetteh‐Doku Mensah & Ruby Asmah, 2022. "Impact of aquaculture training on farmers’ income: Cluster randomized controlled trial evidence in Ghana," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 53(S1), pages 5-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:agecon:v:53:y:2022:i:s1:p:5-20
    DOI: 10.1111/agec.12754
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric Brako Dompreh & Cristiano M. Rossignoli & Don Griffiths & Quanli Wang & Khaing Kyaw Htoo & Hsu Myat Nway & Michael Akester & Alexandros Gasparatos, 2024. "Impact of adoption of better management practices and nutrition-sensitive training on the productivity, livelihoods and food security of small-scale aquaculture producers in Myanmar," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 16(3), pages 757-780, June.
    2. Tao, Yongming & Muneeb, Farhan Muhammad & Wanke, Peter Fernandes & Tan, Yong & Yazdi, Amir Karbassi, 2024. "Revisiting the critical success factors of entrepreneurship to promote Chinese agriculture systems: A multi-criteria decision-making approach," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    3. Okyere, Charles Yaw & Kornher, Lukas, 2023. "Carbon farming training and welfare: Evidence from Northern Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).

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