Browsing by Author "Aidoo Robert"

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    ECONOMICS OF SMALL-SCALE SEED YAM PRODUCTION IN GHANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMERCIALIZATION
    (Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 2011) Aidoo Robert; Nimoh Fred; Bakang John-Eudes Andivi; Ohene-Yankyera Kwasi; Fialor Simon Cudjoe; Abaidoo R. C
    This study evaluated the economics of seed yam production in four major yam producing Districts in Ghana. The analysis was based on primary data collected from seventy (70) seed yam producers selected through snowball sampling technique. The data covered seed yam production activities during the 2009 cropping season. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data and gross margin analysis was used to assess the profitability of seed yam production. On average, a typical seed yam producer cultivated 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) of seed yam and the yield was estimated at 8,319setts/acre. Average variable cost incurred on an acre of seed yam farm was estimated at GH¢685.68 and planting material costs constituted about 44% of this cost. The gross revenue obtained from seed yam sales was estimated at GH¢1,518.22 per acre and the corresponding gross margin was found to be GH¢832.54 per acre. Evidence from the study suggests that seed yam production is a profitable venture. However, the gross margin of seed yam production varied markedly across yam producing Districts, primarily due to differences in yield and price of seed yams. The two most important production constraints were identified to be inadequate capital and high labour cost. The paper has demonstrated that seed yam production has bright prospects in Ghana and presents an opportunity for private investors to diversify their investment portfolios.
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    Factors influencing Soyabean Production and Willingness to Pay for Inoculum Use in Northern Ghana
    (American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 2014) Aidoo Robert; Osei Mensah J.; Opoku Andrews; Abaidoo R. C
    Aim: This study was aimed at providing empirical information on key drivers of soyabean production in northern Ghana and factors that determine farmers’ willingness to pay for inoculum use in the production of the crop. Research Design and Methodology: A total of 240 grain legume producers were sampled from the three northern Regions in Ghana, out of which 188 were soyabean producers. Farmers who were selected through a combination of stratified and simple random sampling techniques were interviewed with the use of standardized structured questionnaires to elicit primary information for analysis. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimation procedure was used to estimate a Cobb-Douglas Soyabean production function. In addition, a binary logistic regression model was used to examine factors that determine farmers’ willingness to pay for inoculum use in soyabean production. Results: Evidence from the study showed that area cultivated and farming experience significantly influenced soyabean output positively at the 5% level. However, quantity of labour employed in production and educational level had significant negative relationship with soyabean output, all things being equal. Farmers’ willingness to pay for inoculum was found to be positively influenced by experience in soyabean production, access to credit, percentage of produce sold and awareness about inoculum at the 5% significance level. Male farmers were found to be more willing to pay for inoculum than female farmers, and distance from home to farm was found to be negatively related to farmers’ willingness to pay for inoculum, ceteris paribus. Conclusion: In an attempt to step up soyabean production and increase the uptake of inoculum among farmers without subsidy, awareness creation about inoculum, credit access and commercial orientation of farmers should be targeted as the key variables in any strategy or policy formulation.