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Paul Kwame Nkegbe

Bio: Paul Kwame Nkegbe is an academic researcher from University for Development Studies. The author has contributed to research in topics: Agriculture & Productivity. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 40 publications receiving 576 citations. Previous affiliations of Paul Kwame Nkegbe include University of Ghana & University of Reading.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of mobile technology on productivity and the channels of transmission of these effects were evaluated using propensity score matching procedures, and the results showed that mobile pho...
Abstract: This study evaluates the effects of mobile technology on productivity and the channels of transmission of these effects. Using propensity score matching procedures, the results show that mobile pho...

124 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors applied the stochastic frontier methodology to examine the technical efficiency of maize production for the 2011/2012 cropping season, and the mean technical efficiency estimate was 74% with minimum and maximum values of 12 and 98%, respectively.
Abstract: The ability of maize farmers in Ghana to increase yield levels and attain sustainable production depends on efficient farm practices, hence technical efficiency. This study applied the stochastic frontier methodology to examine the technical efficiency of maize production for the 2011/2012 cropping season. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to obtain 360 maize households for the study. The determinants of maize output in northern Ghana were farm size, seed, fertilizer and weedicides. The mean technical efficiency estimate was 74% with minimum and maximum values of 12 and 98%, respectively. Agricultural mechanization, experience and gender statistically influenced technical efficiency. The Agricultural Mechanization Services Enterprise Centres programme of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should be scaled-up to increase access to farm tractor for agricultural mechanization services in order to increase farmers’ production efficiency. Similarly, maize production could improve if younger farmers learn from the accumulated knowledge of experienced farmers. Policies which would stress gender equality as regards access to economic resources, education, information and decision-making would help develop self-confidence in women.

78 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors employed an ordered probit model using data set from the baseline survey of the USAID's Feed the Future programme in Ghana to estimate the determinants of food security in northern Ghana.
Abstract: Food security has been observed to be severe in northern Ghana than any other area of the country. Though this has been acknowledged, few attempts have been made to curb the situation. One of such intervention areas resides in providing policy-based evidence to guide efforts in fighting this problem. This study employs an ordered probit model using data set from the baseline survey of the USAID’s Feed the Future programme in Ghana to estimate the determinants of food security in northern Ghana. We perform the analysis using a new indicator of food security—the household hunger scale. This measure is different from other household food insecurity indicators since it has been specifically developed and validated for cross-cultural use. The estimates show that crop producers, multiple crop producers, yield and commercialization are key policy variables that determine food security. A key policy implication of this result is in tandem with one of the intermediate results of the Ghana Feed the Future Initiative which seeks to increase competitiveness of food value chains through increased productivity and market access. Based on the results, stakeholders should step up efforts to enhance productivity of farm households and provide necessary market infrastructure to boost commercialization, as these are fundamental to ensuring food security.

55 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a conditional mixed process (CMP) framework was applied to estimate access to credit, credit constraint, and productivity in the Northern Savannah ecological zone of Ghana, and the results showed that productivity of farmers was dependent on marital status, household size, locality, farm size, commercialization, farm mechanized equipment, group membership, and household durable assets.
Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine farmers’ access to credit, credit constraint, and productivity in the Northern Savannah ecological zone of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Secondary data from the Ghana Feed the Future baseline survey involving a total sample of 2,968 farm households were used. The conditional mixed process (CMP) framework was applied to estimate access to credit, credit constraint, and productivity simultaneously. As a system estimator the CMP corrects for possible heterogeneity and sample selection bias. Findings The results from the estimations revealed that age, literacy, farm non-mechanized equipment, and group membership were the variables influencing farmers’ access to credit. Credit constraint conditions were determined by household size, locality, group membership, and household durable assets. Finally, the results showed that productivity of farmers was dependent on marital status, household size, locality, farm size, commercialization, farm mechanized equipment, group membership, and household durable assets. Originality/value This paper is the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to use the CMP framework to jointly estimate access to credit, credit constraint, and productivity. The results indicate that estimating credit access and constraint models separately would have yielded biased estimates. Thus, this paper informs future research on farmers’ credit access, credit constraint, and productivity for informed policymaking.

44 citations

DOI
19 Jul 2014
TL;DR: In this paper, the determinants of intensity of adoption of soil and water conservation practices using data from a cross-section of smallholder producers in Northern Ghana were analyzed using count data models.
Abstract: Soil and water conservation practices are being promoted in Ghana as a way of sustainably managing the environment to support agricultural production. Despite the important role the adoption of the practices plays in conserving the environment, very few studies have been conducted to analyse the factors influencing their intensive adoption. This study analyses the determinants of intensity of adoption of soil and water conservation practices using data from a cross-section of smallholder producers in Northern Ghana. Count data models are used for the analysis. The empirical results show that access to information, social capital, per capita landholding and wealth play an important role in smallholder producers’ decision to intensively adopt soil and water conservation practices.

39 citations


Cited by
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Book
01 Jan 2009

8,216 citations

Journal ArticleDOI

1,610 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1998

885 citations

Posted Content
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: In this article, the potential applicability of frontier methods in agricultural economics is discussed, along with the construction of technical, allocative, scale and overall efficiency measures relative to these estimated frontiers.
Abstract: In this paper recent developments in the estimation of frontier functions and the measurement of efficiency are surveyed, and the potential applicability of these methods in agricultural economics is discussed. Frontier production, cost and profit functions are discussed, along with the construction of technical, allocative, scale and overall efficiency measures relative to these estimated frontiers. The two primary methods of frontier estimation, econometric and linear programming, are compared. A survey of recent applications of frontier methods in agriculture is also provided. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

821 citations