A LATENT CLASS MODELLING APPROACH TO EVALUATING FARMERS’ PREFERENCES FOR PONA SEED YAM CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PAY IN GHANA
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Date
2019-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Centre for Research Training and Development UK
Abstract
The study employed choice experiment and latent class model to assess
farmers’ preferences for seed yam certification system and their willingness to pay for
certified seed yam in selected yam producing Districts in Ghana. A total of 9120 choice
experiments were conducted to elicit data from 380 yam farmers. The study identified three
classes/ market segments of farmers regarding preferences for Pona seed yam. The results
show that farmers have more utility towards fully certified seed yam and are willing to pay
GH¢719.60 (US$189.4) for a bunch (100 tubers weighing about 45kg) of fully certified seed
yam. However, farmers were found to have high utility towards medium-sized Pona seed yam
and are willing to pay a premium of GHC¢12.5 (US$3.3) for this attribute. The study has
demonstrated high potential for the commercialization of seed yam production in Ghana
through a formal seed yam certification system.
Description
An article published by European Centre for Research Training and Development UK.
Keywords
Choice Experiment, Latent Class Modelling, Market Segmentation, Seed Yam, Willingness to pay
Citation
International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies Vol.6, No.1, pp.1-25,