Welfare dynamics of innovations among agricultural households in Ghana: Implication for poverty reduction
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Date
2023
Authors
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Publisher
Heliyon
Abstract
To reduce the high incidence of poverty in rural households, agricultural modernization using
innovations has been pursued by governments and actors in the agricultural innovation system
(AIS). This study analyzed how agricultural innovations and farmer-actor interactions in the AIS
contribute to poverty outcomes among agricultural households in Ghana. Data used was the
Ghana socio-economic panel survey data with 891 and 2595 observations for cocoa and maize
households, respectively. The multinomial endogenous treatment effect model with instrumental
variables was employed for the analysis. Adopting digital technologies in combination with other
innovations, and having stronger farmer-actor interactions in the innovation system were asso ciated with non-poor outcome in maize-growing households, who were poorer compared to
cocoa-growing households. Innovations that consistently increased food security in both crop
systems were associated with non-poor outcomes. The findings of the study highlight the need for
governments and stakeholders to prioritize agricultural digitalization, encourage the adoption of
multiple innovations and focus on food security-improving interventions as strategies to
addressing rural poverty reduction.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Welfare, Poverty, Agricultural innovation system