Why do food crop farmers have potential, but still under-produce pulses in Ghana?

Abstract

Pulses are generally "orphan crops” that remain under-produced and less targeted in most countries south of the Saharan specifically, Ghana, even though they contribute immensely to protein needs and integrates well into climate smart agriculture (CSA). Pulses in this study refers to underutilized African pulse crops such as groundnuts/peanut, and beans (small beans, bambara beans, broad beans/peas (cowpeas). Pulses constitute an important food security crop, and most re-assuring, farmers have the potential to produce optimum yields. However, achieving potential production has remained a mirage for several decades. The tendency of small holder farmers producing pulses as well as the drivers that hinder production potentials demand attention and policy action. The neglect thwarts the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)– 2 of zero hunger. Especially given the emerging importance of the potential benefits in investing in orphan pulse crops, especially in relation to CSA, food sovereignty, and rural development. Relying on the Ghana Living Standards Survey Seventh round (GLSS 7), this article answers dual research questions of: What is the probability of a smallholder producing underutilized African pulse crops? What factors hinder production? Using classical count regression and zero inflated regression estimations, the findings show that socioeconomic, geography, and demographic factors hinder production. Specifically, households in the middle belt (Ashanti, Bono East, Bono, Ahafo regions) are more unlikely to produce a tonne of pulse annually relative to households in the southern sector (Greater Accra, Volta, Oti, Eastern, Central, Western and Western North regions). Farming households in the northern belt (Upper West, Savannah, Northern, North-East, Upper East regions) have a greater affinity toward pulses pro duction. Urban households are less likely to produce pulses in comparison to rural households. Household heads with no formal education and low English literacy show a higher probability of producing pulses. Poor house holds are more likely to produce pulses. The middle age and aged farm households show a higher probability to produce pulses compared to the youth. Efforts by agricultural extension and advisory services are encouraged to address hindrances that affect pulses production along co-constituted axes of socioeconomic, spatial, and de