International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (IJPAB)
Year : 2017, Volume : 5, Issue : 6
First page : (794) Last page : (808)
Article doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.2812
Technology Adoption Levels in Yam Production in the Era of Trade Liberalisation in Ghana
Seidu M.1, Sanjay2*, Yankyera, K. O.2, Seidu A.4, and Frimpong F. K.5
1,2Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agricultural,
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004, Haryana, India
3,5Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension;
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
4College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
*Corresponding Author E-mail: sanjaybhyan@gmail.com
Received: 7.04.2017 | Revised: 16.05.2017 | Accepted: 20.05.2017
ABSTRACT
This paper assessed the level of technologies (both primitive and innovative) in yam production in the era of trade liberalisation and its related policies in Northern Ghana. Since the extent of adoption of technologies in the country is unknown; they are often are addressed with doubt. Through a multistage random sampling technique, 510 yam farm households were sampled and interviewed using structured schedules. Data on technology adoptions at the production level (seed yam, staking, labour, tillage, agrochemicals, system of cultivation, variety of yam, and number of times of harvest) were collected and analysed. The results revealed that, in terms of system of cultivation and agrochemical (fertilizer) use, innovation adoption level were very low (<5%) while medium levels (50-69%) of adoption were found for seed yam, non-staking, labour, tillage mechanization and agrochemical (weedicides) use. However, adoption of innovations in terms of the number of harvest and variety of yam cultivated was high (>70%). It was recommended that effort should be made to increase the adoption levels of minisett and staking technologies. Similarly, adoption of hired and skilled labours should be improved by increasing labour income status. Increasing tractor ploughing technology should be based on establishing plant pool in the producing districts.
Key words: Seed Yam, Labour, Staking, Weedicides, Fertilizer, Innovation, Shifting Cultivation
Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782
Cite this article: Seidu, M., Sanjay, Yankyera, K.O., Seidu, A., and Frimpong, F.K., Technology Adoption Levels in Yam Production in the Era of Trade Liberalisation in Ghana, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci.5(6): 794-808 (2017). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.2812
