ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Economic assessment of the trials and adoption of selected Soil Fertility Management (SFM) technologies among grain legume farmers in the Northern and Upper West Regions of Ghana.

In the face of high prices of existing mineral fertilizers, farmers in Ghana need cost effective Soil Fertility Management (SFM) technologies to address the problem of low crop yields, which are particularly pronounced in grain legumes. This study assessed the financial returns associated with different SFM trials conducted on grain legumes (soybean, cowpea and groundnuts) in northern Ghana in order to examine farmers’ adoption decision ex-ante and willingness to pay for the most financially rewarding technologies. Benefit-cost ratio analysis based on experimental data identified bio -fertilizer technologies (Biofix, BR3267 and Legumefix) as the most financially viable SFM technologies for grain legumes (soybean, cowpea and groundnut respectively) production. The study elicited primary data from 400 grain legume farmers randomly selected from Northern (200) and Upper West (200) Regions to evaluate adoption decisions and willingness to pay for the three selected SFM technologies. Evidence from the study shows that a significant proportion of farmers (>50%) were willing to adopt each of the three selected biofertilizer packages when they are made available on the market. A multivariate probit model identified farming experience, membership of Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs), farm income, amount of credit used and distance to extension office as critical variables influencing farmers’ adoption decision. Generally, legume farmers in Northern Region were willing to pay higher for the three biofertilizer packages as compared to their counterparts in Upper West Region. For 0.2 kg each of Biofix, BR3267 and Legumefix, farmers in Northern Region were willing to pay approximately GHC 17.00, GHC 12.00 and GHC 23.00 respectively whereas those in Upper West Region were willing to pay GHC 14.00, GHC 9.00 and GHC 11.00 for the same quantity of each SFM technology respectively. The study has revealed that farming experience, FBO membership, awareness and use of biofertilizers are the significant determinants of farmers’ willingness to pay for biofertilizers. The most critical constraints hindering adoption of SFM technologies among grain legume farmers were identified to be high cost of technologies, unavailability and inadequacy of information on potentials of SFM technologies. Even though, biofertilizer technolog ies present key opportunity in resolving soil fertility deficiencies, they are quite new and most farmers are unaware of their use in grain legume production. The study therefore recommended sustained awareness creation through periodic education and sensitization by using FBOs as vii leverage points. This and other recommendations from the study are expected to improve the future adoption of biofertilizers to improve the productivity and profitability of grain legume production in northern Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Economic benefits of biological control of cassava green mite (CGM) in Ghana

The aim of the study was to evaluate the economic impact of biological control of cassava green mite (CGM) in Ghana by using the natural enemy Typhlodromalus manihoti. Both primary and secondary data were used for analysis. In total, 714 cassava producing households were drawn from 17 districts in seven regions of Ghana by employing a combination of proportional, purposive, simple random, and systematic random sampling techniques. Formal interviews with the use of standardized structured questionnaire were combined with field/farm visits to elicit information for the study. The ‘with and without’ comparison and trend analysis of secondary data were performed to evaluate project impact. The economic surplus model was used to estimate net benefits of biological control of CGM in Ghana in terms of Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Following the release of about 2,344,817 CGM predators (T. manihoti) in seven regions of Ghana between the year 2007 and 2012, the study found evidence of T. manihoti presence in beneficiary communities. However, the level of establishment and extent of spread were markedly different across regions and districts in Ghana. The CGM biological control project in Ghana was found to have been successful in reducing CGM populations on cassava fields, reducing cassava root losses, improving productivity and profitability under varying climatic conditions and soil types. Biological control of CGM leads to higher economic gain to farmers and the country as a whole. Biological control of CGM was found to generate economic returns (NPV) of US$228.5 million, a BCR of 5,393.74 and an IRR of 3,424% at a discount rate of 20% for the period 2006 to 2046. Sensitivity analysis showed that the returns are robust even at higher discount rate (50%) and under pessimistic assumptions about yield gains. The overall project impact is expected to be higher when benefits to ecological and human health, which are usually difficult to quantify, are considered. Periodic inoculation in released communities and fresh releases in new communities are recommended if the country is to realize the full benefits of biological control of CGM.

Source: KNUST
Economic assessment of wood residue produced in sawmilling : (a case study)

Measurements of residue generated at the main machine centres in 3 sawmills in Kumasi were made and the bandmills converted 24.7% of their input volumes into residues whilst the edgers and trimmers converted 33.0 1% and 22.02% respectively. At the 1% and 5% levels, the residues generated by the edgers were significantly higher than those generated by the bandmills or the trimmers. At the same levels, there were no significant difference between the residues generated by the bandmills and the trimmers. Sawdust volumes generated at the bandmills were however significantly greater than those generated at the edgers or the trimmers at the 1% and 5% levels of significance. Costs of generating the residues were compared to aggregate benefits obtained from their use in cash flow tastes and negative not revenues were obtained. It was therefore observed that the use of residues generated in sawmilling as fuelwood was not financially acceptable or an economically efficient use and that residue generation itself was negative to sawmill profitability unless optimum economic benefits were obtain from them. It was recommended that mills invest in downstream processing equipment, preferably chipmills (pulp, paper, chipboard) for optimum and beneficial use of every wood fibre of the log raw material for sawmill profitability and sustainable forest management purposes. Uses of sawdust to prevent them from going waste were also recommended.

Source: KNUST
Economic Burden of Tuberculosis (TB) in Ghana (Case of Western Region)

The study looked at the estimation of the economic burden (direct cost, indirect cost and intangible cost) and household welfare impact of tuberculosis (TB) in the western region of Ghana. Studies into the economic burden of TB in Ghana have been limited. WHO’s (2002a) guidelines on cost and cost effectiveness of TB management were followed in the estimation of cost of TB from the patient/household and health provider perspectives. Human capital method was applied in the cost estimation. Wells-Riley model and multiple regression technique were employed in the estimation of the probability of transmission within households and the household welfare impact of TB. Results established that tuberculosis causes a significant deterioration in household income and welfare. The study also found that TB imposes various catastrophic economic costs on affected households and utilise considerable resources within the public health system. It is recommended that safety nets or income insurance be establish for households affected by TB to help cope with high economic burden and help patients fully complete treatment.

Source: KNUST
Economic Dimensions of Inland Fisheries of the Upper East Region of Ghana

Aside crop production, the Tono and Vea irrigation dams are to ensure the supply of freshwater fish and regular income as well as create employment for people within and without the riparian communities. However, after 25 years and 30 years of operations of the Tono and Vea reservoir fisheries respectively, the economic benefits of employment, revenue and income generations are at risk as fish catch over the years has been fluctuating. This has been worsening the incidence of poverty among the users of the fishery resources of Tono and Vea. The decline of fish stock threatens the income and employment of fishermen and the multitude of other ancillary services of the fishing industry. Attempts to mitigate the problems facing the fishery subsector witnessed management and government support by way of advocating for enforcement of closed seasons, gear restriction, capacity building of institutions, aquaculture development and strengthening of fishery extension activities. This study was designed to assess the prospects of the countless efforts aimed at improving income, generation of revenue and employment of fishery resource users. The Tono irrigation in the Kassena Nankana District and Vea irrigation in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region were used as a case. Based on the objectives, a case study design approach was employed and both secondary and primary data was collected and analysed. Empirical results revealed that: although the fishery resources in both areas is an open access resource, it requires registration of users; the fishery offered direct employment of only 0.3 percent of the potential labour of the study districts; more fishermen earned high income in 2009 than in 2000; whereas fruitless effort was made by the KNDA to tax fishery resource users, BDA has not exploited that; false condition of economic efficiency, low stakeholder interaction and low priority for the fishery sector. This research asserted that enhanced income, secured employment and improved revenue demands fishery enhancement, specific use rights, effort regulation and gear quota and integrated water use planning. To harness the fishery revenue potentials in a balanced ecological setting, revenue profiling and an ecosystem approach are recommended.

Source: KNUST
Economic efficiency and productivity of maize farmers in Ghana

In spite of the economic importance of maize, its productivity is still low in Ghana. This study examined the economic efficiency and productivity of maize farmers to shed light on the causes of low productivity of maize in Ghana. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to collect crosssectional data from 576 maize farmers in eight districts in four agro ecological zones of Ghana. Multinomial logit model and the stochastic frontier production function were the methods of analyses adopted in addition to descriptive statistics. The study revealed that an increase in educational level, credit, extension contact, experience, price of maize, group membership and ready market would increase use of maize productivity enhancing technologies. Also, fertilizer, pesticides, manure, herbicide, seed and land inputs were found to be positively related to maize output. With technical efficiency scores of 61.2%, 70.2%, 49.9% and 66% for maize farmers in the northern savannah, transitional, forest and coastal savannah zones respectively, it is most economical to produce maize in the transitional belt of Ghana. Generally, educational level, experience, income, extension contact, male gender, group membership, credit, household size, ready market as well as use of fertilizer, pesticides and improved seeds would increase the technical efficiency of maize farmers in Ghana. Whereas fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, manure and land were underutilized by farmers, capital was over utilized. The scale efficiency analysis revealed that the overall mean scale efficiencies were 85.7%, 90.9%, 88.6% and 85.5% for maize farmers in the northern savannah, transitional, forest and coastal savannah zones respectively. Generally, it can be concluded that an increase in educational level, experience, access to good roads, extension contact, household size as well as use of fertilizer and improved seeds would increase the scale efficiency of maize farmers in Ghana. Policies aimed at addressing the efficiency challenges of maize farmers in Ghana should be targeted more at improving technical efficiency.

Source: KNUST
The economic effects of the withdrawal of subsidies on agricultural inputs: an assessment of the performance of the poultry industry in Ashanti Region.

The primacy of agriculture in the economy and in the sustenance of the livelihood of the majority of the people is a truism for Ghana. In every respect, agriculture has been and will continue to be the prime mover of the Ghanaian economy for sometime to come. Until recently, the production, imports and distribution of some essential agricultural inputs, notably, fertilizers, seeds, insecticides, poultry drugs and small hand tools among others were monopolised by the public agencies. Under the public sector management, input distribution grew increasingly inefficient. To establish a competitive private market that would ensure availability and timely supply of farm inputs at the farm gate, the long term government intervention in input supply and distribution was abolished in 1990 giving way to privatization. Charging the real input price to farmers as a result of input subsidy withdrawal was expected to be matched by increased output price determined by market forces of supply and demand. However, the match has not been perfect, at least in the short run, as the input prices have increased faster than the output prices. In undertaking the research to look at the economic effects of the policy of subsidy withdrawal on agricultural inputs on the poultry industry, data was obtained from both primary and secondary sources. A field study was undertaken during which questionnaires and interview guide, prepared for policy makers and implementers as well as poultry farmers, were administered. The study revealed that input prices especially poultry drugs have shot up drastically since 1990 when the policy was implemented as compared to the periods before 1990. This increase in prices had led to input substitution leading to increased mortality rate as most effective drugs which are usually expensive are substituted with drugs which are less effective but cheap However input supply is more efficient today than periods before the policy. The study further revealed that as a result of the decrease in the output-input price ratio there has been a consistent decrease in the profits of most poultry farmers since the implementation of the policy thus making the industry unattractive in recent times. Various suggestions and recommendations made in the report are meant to solve the problems identified during the research. It is hoped that the recommendations, if implemented will help ensure a viable poultry industry in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Economic efficiency and productivity of maize farmers in Ghana

In spite of the economic importance of maize, its productivity is still low in Ghana. This study examined the economic efficiency and productivity of maize farmers to shed light on the causes of low productivity of maize in Ghana. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to collect cross-sectional data from 576 maize farmers in eight districts in four Agro ecological zones of Ghana. Multinomial logit model and the stochastic frontier production function were the methods of analyses adopted in addition to descriptive statistics. The study revealed that an increase in educational level, credit, extension contact, experience, price of maize, group membership and ready market would increase use of maize productivity enhancing technologies. Also, fertilizer, pesticides, manure, herbicide, seed and land inputs were found to be positively related to maize output. With technical efficiency scores of 61.2%, 70.2%, 49.9% and 66% for maize farmers in the Northern Savannah, transitional, forest and Coastal Savannah zones respectively, it is most economical to produce maize in the transitional belt of Ghana. Generally, educational level, experience, income, extension contact, male gender, group membership, credit, household size, ready market as well as use of fertilizer, pesticides and improved seeds would increase the technical efficiency of maize farmers in Ghana. Whereas fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, manure and land were underutilized by farmers, capital was over utilized. The scale efficiency analysis revealed that the overall mean scale efficiencies were 85.7%, 90.9%, 88.6% and 85.5% for maize farmers in the Northern Savannah, transitional, forest and Coastal Savannah zones respectively. Generally, it can be concluded that an increase in educational level, experience, access to good roads, extension contact, household size as well as use of fertilizer and improved seeds would increase the scale efficiency of maize farmers in Ghana. Policies aimed at addressing the efficiency challenges of maize farmers in Ghana should be targeted more at improving technical efficiency.

Source: KNUST
Economic empowerment among female shea actors: the case of Savelugu District, Ghana

The shea industry is a catalyst for the economic empowerment of women engaged in this sector. However, we do not know the extent to which women actors are economically empowered along this value chain, and the factors impeding their empowerment. Addressing this is crucial to developing policies in advancing the economic empowerment of female shea actors. This study aims to assess the extent to which the shea industry economically empowers female shea actors. We utilized a convergent mixed-methods approach, gathering quantitative data from 384 female shea actors (including producers, collectors, and marketers) and qualitative data from 12 experienced older women in the industry, making an overall sample of 396. The qualitative data underwent thematic analysis, while the quantitative data were subjected to the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test to compare the level of economic empowerment among the three groups of shea actors. We found significant differences among the three groups of shea actors (χ2 (2) = 75.266, p = 0.000). Collectors had a mean rank of 236.60, marketers had a mean rank of 131.24, and producers had a mean rank of 205.31; showing economic empowerment varies among the shea actors. However, they face challenges of inaccessibility to land, finance, and markets, as well as inadequate storage facilities that affect their operations. We recommend that the shea actors join or form groups to increase their access to loans, and control over prices, while development agents (both statutory and non-statutory) must improve access to lands, finance, and storage facilities.

Source: KNUST
Economic Evaluation of a Mineral Project at Ghana National Manganese Corporation (GNMC), Nsuta

The effect of mineral property evaluation on project feasibility studies necessitates a thorough investigation of a host of factors to arrive at an appreciable conclusion. Mineral projects are capital intensive projects and they offer investment opportunities which involve the expending of capital at the present time in return to future benefits. Ghana National Manganese Corporation (GNMC) -is an open pit mine which exploits manganese and is located at Nsuta in southwestern Ghana about 65 km from the port of Takoradi. Mineralization at Nsuta occurs -in five hills oriented along two lines with a NNE bearing. The hills are designated A, B, C, D, and E. H-ill B consists predominantly of manganese carbonate. The Nsuta manganese ore deposits occur in the Precambrian upper Birimian rocks of southwestern Ghana. The manganese carbonate is a primary feature constituting a member of the depositional sequence of the upper Birimian which is preserved below the level of oxidation. A review of the ore reserve situation at Hill B at the end of December 1991 stands at 962,000 tonnes of manganese carbonate with a manganese content of 31.9%. This work focuses on Hill B only, which is one of the hills at GNMC with consideration of some of the factors that have influence on economic viability of the project. Annual cash flows are prepared from the various cost estimates. Evaluation techniques such as net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) are used to ascertain the economic viability of the entire investment.

Source: KNUST
Economic evaluation of Awonsu Open Pit Mine: a case study of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited

The Awonsu mining open pit deposit is one of several projects being evaluated by Newmont Mining Corporation. The phase one of the deposit has been mined out with some portion being backfilled with waste. Management of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited would like to know if there is any potential layback of the existing pit under the current economic conditions. In other to be able to determine the value or economic feasibility of the project, a pit optimisation process has to be performed on the geologic model by considering the gold price, mining cost, processing cost, selling cost, the geologic model and the geotechnical slopes. In line with this, this research seeks to evaluate the economic profitability of the Awonsu deposit through the pit optimisation process by the use of the Gemcom Whittle 4x ,determine a suitable pit design for the deposit using the Mintech Minesight design tools and use Discounted cash Flow method to determine the viability of the deposit. Results from this research show that the Awonsu phase two design is financially profitable at the evaluation price of $1200. The pit designed out of the selected pit shell produces an ore tonnes of 26 million at an average grade of 1.6g/t and recovered ounces of 1.2 million. The free cashflow of the project is $171 million and when discounted at 8% for six years, results in a Net Present value (NPV) of $60 million. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of the project is 14.6% and total cost per recovered ounce is $1053. The Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is 14% which means for every $1 invested in the project will yield a return of 14 cents. The project breaks even at a gold price of $1129/Oz.

Source: KNUST