• OpenAccess
    • List of Articles Hamza Adam

      • Open Access Article

        1 - Determinants of Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties in Zabzugu-Tatale Districts in the Northern Region of Ghana: A Case Study of Obaatanpa Variety
        Wahab Ibn Hassan Hamza Adam Osman Damba Tahidu
        Low yield of maize continues to affect the livelihood of smallholder farmers in the Zabzugu-Tatale area despite the introduction of a high yielding Obatanpa maize variety. The study used a cross-sectional survey design with 240 randomly sampled household heads growing m More
        Low yield of maize continues to affect the livelihood of smallholder farmers in the Zabzugu-Tatale area despite the introduction of a high yielding Obatanpa maize variety. The study used a cross-sectional survey design with 240 randomly sampled household heads growing maize to examine determinants of adoption of Obatampa varieties (IMVs) by farmers in the Zabzugu-Tatale area in the Northern Region of Ghana. A binary logistic model was used to examine the factors that determine the adoption of Obatanpa maize variety by farmers in Zabzugu-Tatale. The results showed a high (58.8%) level of adoption of Obatanpa in the study area. The logistic regression analysis shows that sex, household size, number of years of education of the household head, membership to FBOs, farm size, farmers’ awareness of Obatanpa, access to credit and access to extension service had a positive significant relationship with the adoption of Obatanpa maize variety. Age, however, had an inversely significant relationship with the adoption of Obatanpa maize variety. The paper recommends that MoFA should mandate the formation of FBOs to enhance farmers’ access to resources. MoFA needs to also work with private partners to increase farmers’ access to credit facilities at low interest. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        2 - Factors Influencing Rural Livelihood Diversification Activities among Women in Northern Region of Ghana
        Hamza Adam Henny Osbahr
        Livelihood sustainability remains a major challenge for rural households in Northern Ghana. Although farming has traditionally been the core livelihood strategy for most households, diversifying into non-farm activities remains a common livelihood strategy employed to s More
        Livelihood sustainability remains a major challenge for rural households in Northern Ghana. Although farming has traditionally been the core livelihood strategy for most households, diversifying into non-farm activities remains a common livelihood strategy employed to sustain household basic needs, particularly for women, who because of their gender often face challenges in accessing land for farming purposes. There remains a dearth in knowledge regarding understanding fully the factors, which influence livelihood diversification activities women in Ghana. The paper uses a Probit model to examine the factors that influence livelihood diversification activities, using cross-sectional data from households in Northern Ghana. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 260 households for investigation. Data were collected by use of survey questionnaire and analysed using Probit model with livelihood diversification being the dependent variable. The findings showed that age, household size, formal education, group membership, participation in training, participation in decision-making, resource access and level of household poverty to influence women’s participation in livelihood diversification. The results suggest that policy to improve women’s participation in decision-making and provide support to women non-farm livelihood groups in the form of training, credit and markets, which will be vital to enhancing livelihood and reducing poverty in Northern Ghana. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        3 - Effects of Adoption of Improved Maize Technology on Yield among Smallholder Maize Farmers in the Bawku West District of Upper East Region of Ghana
        John Akumbole Hamza Adam Hudu Zakaria
        For over a decade now improved maize technology constituting a package of fourteen production recommendations have been developed and disseminated to maize farmers in the Bawku West district of the Upper East region through the district department of agriculture. This p More
        For over a decade now improved maize technology constituting a package of fourteen production recommendations have been developed and disseminated to maize farmers in the Bawku West district of the Upper East region through the district department of agriculture. This paper presents findings of a study conducted to assess the level of adoption of these production recommendations and its effect on yield among smallholder farmers in the district. Through multi-stage sampling techniques, 400 maize farmers were surveyed with personal interviews, focus group discussions and observations employed in gathering data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in analysing the data and results presented in tables and graphics. Many (44%) of the farmers surveyed were found to have been practicing most of the production recommendations. The study found significant and positive relationship between level of adoption and yield. Adoption of many production recommendations guarantees high yield. Also, age, gender, household size, farm size of maize credit, labour and experience were found as significant determinants of yield. Education and training aimed at improving farmers understanding and skills regarding the practice of maize production recommendations should be strengthened and organized regularly. Manuscript profile