ECONOMICS OF SMALL-SCALE SEED YAM PRODUCTION IN GHANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMERCIALIZATION
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Date
2011
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Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa
Abstract
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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This article is Published by Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 2011
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Citation
Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa (Volume 13, No.7, 2011)