Farmers’ Willingness To Adopt Genetically Modified Maize Seeds In Ghana

Abstract

Cereals production, especially maize, in Ghana is characterized by low yields and productivity, which are compounded in the long run by production fluctuations due to drought, pests, and diseases. Chemical pesticides and, to a limited extent, integrated pest management (IPM) practices have been applied to control the pests, weeds and diseases but with limited success. However recent studies indicate that genetic modification technology of some of these crops can be employed to solve these challenges. Following the development and introduction of genetically modified maize technology in some developing countries such as South Africa, this study sought to determine farmers‟ willingness to adopt genetically modified (GM) maize seed varieties in the Sunyani Municipality (a major cereal area) in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana The study examines farmers willingness to adopt three types of GM maize: Bt maize, Ht maize, and Bt/Ht maize. Data was collected from 160 commercial farmers from three maize producing areas using questionnaires. In this study, a conceptual framework was developed for the decision to adopt and econometric analyses of the choices are presented using Binary Logit and Multinomial Logit regression model. The empirical results show that age, gender, experience, land tenure and education are significant factors likely influence the adoption of GM maize seeds. However, on a case by case basis with respect to the individual GM maize seeds varieties, age had a positive effect on the farmers' willingness to adopt Bt maize seed while gender and education variables had a negative influence on Bt maize seed adoption. Age, education, experience, land tenure and extension contact variables had a positive effect on the likely adoption of Ht maize seed variety. For Bt/Ht maize seed variety variables -age and extension contact - had a positive effect on adoption of Bt/Ht maize seed variety, whiles variables -FBO member and family labour had a negative effect on its likely adoption. It is recommended, that campaigns toward adoption of GM maize seeds should focus on older, male, educated, experienced and permanent land-owning farmers.