Anthoinette Avane

Bio: Anthoinette Avane is an academic researcher from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 4 citations.

Adoption of organic fertilizer for cocoa production in Ghana: Perceptions and determinants

Abstract: This study assesses perceptions, determinants, and constraints of ‘Asaasenufosuo’ organic fertilizer adoption by cocoa farmers in Ghana. Primary data were sourced from 200 cocoa farmers. Perception...

Beyond adoption: the interaction between organic and inorganic fertilizer application, and vegetable productivity in Ghana

Abstract: This study explores the causal association between organic and inorganic fertilizer application and vegetable productivity in Ghana. Primary data were obtained from 300 pepper, cabbage and lettuce producers. To correct for self-selection bias and endogeneity, Heckman selection and three-stage least-squares models were estimated. More producers used inorganic fertilizers for pepper, cabbage and lettuce production than those who used organic fertilizers. Vegetable producers applied higher quantities of organic fertilizers (2830 kg) per acre than inorganic fertilizers (880 kg). Organic cabbage and lettuce producers recorded higher productivity than inorganic producers, but inorganic pepper producers had higher productivity than organic producers. However, vegetable producers who applied either organic or inorganic fertilizers, or both, recorded higher productivity than those who did not apply fertilizer. Factors that enhance the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers and vegetable productivity are education, farm size and production for export, land ownership, farmer association membership and perception about fertilizer price. Organic and inorganic fertilizer application improves vegetable productivity, and productivity promotes fertilizer application. Private agencies and government should subsidize fertilizers, improve producers' access to agricultural information, and train producers on productivity-enhancing agronomic practices.

Food coping strategies among migrant labourers on cocoa farms in southern Ghana

Abstract: This paper examines coping strategies adopted by migrant labourers on cocoa farms in Southern Ghana in the face of food shortfalls. Using primary data from 400 labourers on cocoa farms, this paper employs coping strategy index, negative binomial, Tobit and multivariate probit regression models to investigate migrants’ food coping mechanisms, and their key determinants. Generally, migrants on cocoa farms were constrained with low quality food and limited food availability during certain periods of the year. Migrant labourers suffering from food shortfalls adopted food-compromising and income-maximizing coping strategies. The main strategies include consumption of less preferred foods and immature crops, borrowing of food and money, reduction in portion sizes during mealtimes, and reduction in the number of meals eaten per day. Farm labourers with higher education, income, secondary occupation, own farms, social capital, secured contract, work for multiple farmers, and asset ownership tended to cope better during periods of food shortfalls. The effects of these factors on the adoption of specific food coping strategies differed markedly. To improve household resilience in the face of food shortfalls, migrant labourers on cocoa farms should engage in secondary occupations, do their own farms, build social capital by joining faith-based organizations and tribal associations, as well as engage in long term contract arrangements with their principals.

Effect of hybrid cocoa seedlings adoption on profit efficiency in Ghana

Abstract: The study examined the effect of hybrid cocoa seedling adoption on the profit efficiency of cocoa production in Ghana using cross-sectional data collected from 150 farming households in the Wassa Amenfi West district of Ghana. Cragg's Double Hurdle model, stochastic frontier profit function and propensity score matching were the methods of analysis. The results showed that whereas tree density and age of farm had negative influences on hybrid cocoa seedling adoption, farming experience exerted a positive effect. Also, the intensity of adoption of hybrid cocoa seedling was influenced by being a male farmer, tree density, access to extension as well as access to technological information. The mean estimated profit efficiency was 89.9% and this was positively influenced by male gender, hand pollination, age of cocoa tree, access to technological information and education even though farming experience exerted a negative effect. Finally, the study revealed that hybrid cocoa seedlings adopters are 0.101 more profit efficient than non-adopters. Farmers are therefore encouraged to adopt hybrid cocoa seedlings in their cocoa farms. It is also important for government to put measures in place to introduce agricultural programmes on radio and other media to enable farmers get access to technological information.