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Public expenditures and agricultural productivity growth in Ghana

Author

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  • Benin, Samuel
  • Mogues, Tewodaj
  • Cudjoe, Godsway
  • Randriamamonjy, Josee

Abstract

Using district- and regional-level public expenditure data and household-level production data, this paper estimates the agricultural productivity returns to different types of public expenditure across various agro-ecological zones of Ghana. The results reveal that provision of various public goods and services in the agricultural, education, health and rural roads sectors have substantial impact on agricultural productivity. A one percent increase in public spending on agriculture is associated with a 0.15 percent increase in agricultural labor productivity, with a benefit-cost ratio of 16.8. Spending on feeder roads ranks second (with a benefit-cost ratio of 5), followed by health (about one hundredth of the value). Formal education was negatively associated with agricultural productivity. The estimated marginal effects and returns differ for the four agro-ecological zones. Implications are drawn for prioritizing additional or future public resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Benin, Samuel & Mogues, Tewodaj & Cudjoe, Godsway & Randriamamonjy, Josee, 2009. "Public expenditures and agricultural productivity growth in Ghana," 2009 Conference, August 16-22, 2009, Beijing, China 51634, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iaae09:51634
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    Cited by:

    1. Benin, Samuel, 2014. "Identifying agricultural expenditures within the public financial accounts and coding system in Ghana: Is the ten percent government agriculture expenditure overestimated?:," IFPRI discussion papers 1365, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. Li, Zongzhang & Ma, Yanan, 2015. "Rural Education, Technological Progress and Productivity Growth in China's Agriculture," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 212048, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    3. Sene, Ligane Massamba & Badiane, Ousmane, 2015. "Out-of-pocket health payments: a catalyst for agricultural productivity growth, but with potentially impoverishing effects," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 212261, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    4. Nlemfu Mukoko, Jean Blaise, 2013. "Ralentissement de la croissance économique des principaux partenaires commerciaux et ses implications sur l’économie congolaise
      [Impact of slower economic growth in major trading partners on the Co      ," MPRA Paper 65089, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Jun 2015.
    5. Allen, Summer L. & Badiane, Ousmane & Ulimwengu, John M., 2012. "Government Expenditures, Social Outcomes, and Marginal Productivity of Agricultural Inputs: A Case Study for Tanzania," 2012 Conference, August 18-24, 2012, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil 126663, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    6. Benin, Samuel, 2015. "Returns to agricultural public spending in Africa south of the Sahara:," IFPRI discussion papers 1491, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    7. Yeboah Asuamah, Samuel, 2016. "Modelling the Effect of Investment on Agricultural Productivity in Ghana," MPRA Paper 70606, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Wabenga Yango, James & Nlemfu Mukoko, J.Blaise, 2014. "Croissance agricole et options d’investissement pour la réduction de la pauvreté en R.D.CONGO : une analyse en équilibre général calculable
      [Agriculture Growth and Investments Options for Poverty r      ," MPRA Paper 64828, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 05 Jun 2015.
    9. Mogues, Tewodaj & Yu, Bingxin & Fan, Shenggen & Mcbride, Linden, 2012. "The impacts of public investment in and for agriculture: Synthesis of the existing evidence," IFPRI discussion papers 1217, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    10. World Bank, 2017. "Fiscal Consolidation to Accelerate Growth and Support Inclusive Development," World Bank Other Operational Studies 27558, The World Bank.
    11. Amponsah, Lawrence, 2016. "Modelling the effect of public investment on agricultural productivity in Ghana," MPRA Paper 70924, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Benin, Samuel, 2016. "Returns to agricultural public spending in Ghana: Cocoa versus noncocoa subsector:," IFPRI discussion papers 1503, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    13. Boureima Sawadogo & Tegawende Juliette Nana & Maimouna Hama Natama & Fidèle Bama & Emma Tapsoba & Kassoum Zerbo, 2015. "Impact de l'expansion économique et commerciale de la Chine sur la croissance et l'emploi au Burkina Faso: une analyse en équilibre général calculable," Working Papers MPIA 2015-03, PEP-MPIA.
    14. Mekonnen, Tigist, 2017. "Productivity and household welfare impact of technology adoption: Micro-level evidence from rural Ethiopia," MERIT Working Papers 007, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    15. Aparajita Goyal & John Nash, 2016. "Reaping Richer Returns, Preliminary Overview," World Bank Other Operational Studies 25782, The World Bank.

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