Inclusivity of Vegetable Cooperatives and Effect on Adoption of Water Related Climate Smart Practices among Vegetable Farmers in Southern Ghana

Abstract

Water smart agriculture practices have the potential to ensure water availability for vegetable farmers through practices such as irrigation, water harvesting, drought-resistant crops, mulching, conservation tillage, and cover cropping. There is a concern for inclusivity within cooperatives operated by vegetable farmers in southern Ghana. Limiting participation of vegetable farmers in cooperatives has consequences for adopting water-related climate smart practices. The major objective of this study is to assess how the inclusive cooperative business model (ICBM) influences the adoption of water-related climate smart practices (WCP) among vegetable farmers. The specific objectives are to: (1) determine the extent to which vegetable cooperatives in Ghana apply the IBM, (2) identify the factors that influence participation in vegetable cooperatives that employ IBM, (3) determine the extent to which vegetable cooperatives that employ IBM are effective in farmer adoption of WCP and (4) measure the impacts of WCP adoption on vegetable farmers’ output and income. The study used descriptive statistics, logit, ordered probit, and propensity score matching models to analyse the four objectives respectively. The study collected data from 561 randomly selected vegetable farmers in the Greater Accra, Central and Eastern regions of Ghana. The results showed that cooperatives in Ghana inculcated inclusivity in their operations, but at a low level. They overlook support that reduces resource poverty. The logit results showed that market access, access to credit, training and development, perceived contribution to the environment and community, and access to climate change information were positively significant. The ordered probit results showed that, cooperative play a critical role in influencing the number of WCP adoption by vegetable farmers. The PSM results showed that vegetable farmers who join cooperatives earn more and had more output than those who are not in cooperatives. The study suggests the implementation of infrastructure development that will ease quick access to the market for vegetable farmers in IBM cooperatives to trade their produce. ADB Bank, other financial institutions, and investors with interest in agriculture should invest in vegetable farmers in IBM cooperatives through low-interest rate loans and credit. Extension officers and climate change agents should make information on climate change available to vegetable cooperatives. Vegetable farmers are encouraged to join IBM cooperatives because they will be empowered resulting in increased output and income levels.