http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6 2026-04-04T06:17:33Z 2026-04-04T06:17:33Z ABDULAI, Y. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4581 2026-03-19T10:57:51Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: INCIDENCE OF MAIZE LEAF HOPPER (CICADULINA MBILA, NAUDE) AND ITS MANAGEMENT USING ENHANCED EFFICIENCY FERTILIZATION Authors: ABDULAI, Y. Abstract: Maize leaf hopper (Cicadulina mbila, Naude) still remains a yield declining major pest of maize in Ghana and other parts of the world. Field experiment was laid in randomized complete block design with three replications, using nine different fertilization regimes to evaluate the effect of enhanced fertilization application on the incidence of C. mbila and its impact on grain yield of maize. Data were collected on C.mbila abundance, damage incidence and impact on yield. Economic viability of the treatments on maize production was also assessed. Fertilization significantly influenced C.mbila abundance and incidence on maize. Unfertilized plot recorded significantly higher C. mbila abundance and damage incidence compared to fertilization regimes. Among the fertilization regimes, T15-SUL and ACT-SOA recorded significantly higher C. mbila abundance and damage incidence respectively whilst the least were recorded from CLB-CLB and T15-URE. On grain yield, all the fertilization regimes obtained higher grain yield compared to unfertilized plot. Among the fertilized plots, CLB-CLB recorded significantly lower grain yield. Though ACT-URE, ACT-NIT, T15-URE, ACT-SOA and T15-NIT yielded above all, there was no significant variation. All the fertilization regimes yielded more profit compared to no fertilization plot, among the fertilization regimes, CLB CLB yielded lowest profit and benefit-cost ratio whilst the highest profit and benefit-cost ratio was obtained from ACT-URE. Application of ACT-URE or ACT-NIT is recommended for better management of C. mbila, maximized yield, as well as high profitability. Description: REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN CROP SCIENCE

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z KOTCHEKPE, C. K. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4580 2026-03-19T10:51:13Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: EFFECTS OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND HOUSEHOLDS' WELFARE IN NORTHERN BENIN Authors: KOTCHEKPE, C. K. Abstract: In Benin, approximately 70% of employment is in the agricultural sector, which is rural-based. Despite this, the labour force engaging in subsistence farming encounters seasonal variability due to rural-urban migration in the study area. Some studies have investigated the link between climate change and migration in Benin, without evaluating its impact on the left behind family. This study analyses the effects of rural-urban migration on agricultural production and households' welfare in northern Benin, using data from 400 farm households. This study has measured migration as categorical variable and has employed a treatment effect model for the analysis Using multinomial logistic regression, the study found that factors such as age and sex of the household heads, household size and debt, access to migration information, rural unemployment, urban employment, agreement of the household’s head, and family member at the destination are the factors influencing the internal migration in the study area. The study also estimated the efficiency level using stochastic frontier correcting for selection bias and found that the farm households with migrants are more efficient than the farm households without migrants (0.98vs0.60). Furthermore, the study estimates the impact of the type of migration on agricultural revenue and household welfare using the multinomial endogenous switching regression. The findings reveal that farm households with permanent migrants earn an average treatment effect of 0.705 CFA higher compared to farm households with temporary migrants, who earn 0.612 CFA. Concerning the welfare, permanent migrants earn an average treatment effect of 20,269 CFA, lower than the farm households with temporary migrants, 38,112.81 CFA. Also, the remittances analysis has shown that households with temporary migrants have received more income compared to their counterparts. The research concludes that, in general, rural-urban migration has a positive effect on the farm households in the study area, with the impact more pronounced on the agricultural revenue for those with permanent migrants, and on the farm households' welfare for those with temporary migrants. Therefore, the study recommends that farm household heads and potential migrants should make informed rural-urban migration decisions by carefully assessing potential benefits and risks using reliable information, while governments strengthen accessible information platforms on migration pathways, employment opportunities, and labour market conditions in the urban area to support such decisions. Description: REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z ASALE, M. A. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4574 2026-02-04T12:05:53Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND MARKET DEMAND FOR ORANGE-FLESHED SWEET POTATO VINES:EVIDENCEFROM NORTHERN GHANA Authors: ASALE, M. A. Abstract: Despite several attempts to combat Vitamin A deficiency through the production and consumption of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP), several bottlenecks hinder its adoption and scaling of production in northern Ghana. Lack of access to and availability of OFSPvinesat thebeginning of therainy season is a key challenge against the production and marketing of the crop. This study analyzes the economic viability of OFSP vine production using solar-based irrigation and farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) using household data collected in July 2024 from two selected districts in northern Ghana. Combining economic viability assessment tools with various econometric models, the study examined the factors that influence farmers' WTP. The results showed that the production of OFSP vines under solar-based irrigation is economically viable in northern Ghana. Among the irrigation methods examined, drip irrigation offers superior financial returns compared to rain-tube irrigation. Farmers are willing to pay an average of GH₵38.83 for quality OFSP vines with variation across the selected district. The econometric results revealed that several factors influence WTP, especially education as well as access to credit, farmer-based group and extension. Policymakers, NGOs and Internation Center for Potato (CIP) could leverage on the economic viability of OFSP vine production to improve income and reduce poverty in northern Ghana. This could be achieved by establishing functional markets for vines and scaling up drip irrigation for OFSP vine production in northern Ghana. Second, government and CIP should strengthen farmers policies and programs to expand sensitization and logistics that can help farmers enhance their WTP. For instance, ready access to agricultural extension services from government or NGOs could provide farmers with insights to pay for OFSP vines. Description: EREQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z APUMBORA, J. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4573 2026-02-04T11:38:21Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: THE EFFECTS OF PARTICIPATION IN GASIP PROGRAMME ON SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ FOOD SECURITY IN UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA Authors: APUMBORA, J. Abstract: In the face of increasing climate variability, rising food insecurity, and the pressing need for sustainable agricultural transformation, understanding the effectiveness of development programs has become imperative for policy and practice. Smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Ghana’s agricultural sector, remain particularly vulnerable to these challenges. This study examines the effects of participation in the Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP) on smallholder farmers, with a specific focus on household food security and the adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAPs). The study is grounded in the Random Utility and the Household Utility Maximization Theory, which explain farmers’ decisions to participate in GASIP and adopt CSAPs based on utility maximization under resource constraints. Using a comprehensive dataset of 410 households collected in 2024 from three districts in the Upper East Region, the study employs a multi-stage sampling procedure involving purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling. Descriptive statistics are used to summarize key household and farm characteristics, while Probit models identify factors influencing GASIP participation. The Endogenous Switching Poisson Regression Model assesses the effect of GASIP participation on CSAP adoption, and the Endogenous Switching Regression Model estimates the impact on household food security indicators, addressing potential selection bias. The findings reveal that GASIP participation has positive effects on both food security and CSAP adoption. Specifically, GASIP participation leads to higher Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS), while also contributing to reductions in food insecurity as measured by the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and Coping Strategy Index (CSI). In addition, variables such as age, education, landownership, remittance, farm output, FBO membership, TLU, and GASIP awareness positively influence food security, while sex, farm experience, climate training, and crop diversification.emerge as negative determinants. influencing food security outcomes. Female-headed households demonstrate higher food security levels compared to male-headed households, indicated by better HDDS and lower food insecurity scores. In terms of CSAP adoption, positive effects are associated with education, crop diversification, and GASIP participation, highlighting the program’s role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Based on these results, the study recommends that government agencies (MoFA), NGOs, and donor organizations(IFAD) intensify awareness creation through community engagement and local media, promote education and capacity-building initiatives, implement gender-sensitive agricultural programs to empower women farmers, encourage crop diversification as a key food security strategy, strengthen agricultural extension services to better support smallholder farmers, and integrate Climate-Smart Agricultural practices into national agricultural policies to foster long term resilience and sustainability in the agricultural sector. Description: REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z