Effect of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Technologies on the Productivity and Livelihood Outcomes Among Maize Farmers in the Hohoe Municipality, Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

MoFA in collaboration with AFRICARE trained smallholder maize farmers in the Hohoe Municipal Assembly in the Volta region in Integrated Soil Fertility Management technologies. The programme aimed to enhance productivity and livelihood outcomes of the farmers. Although anecdotal evidence suggests the programme was effective in meeting its objective, empirical evidence is scant in the literature. This research determined the impact of the ISFM technology training programme on smallholder maize farmers’ productivity and livelihood. A structured interview schedule that had been validated was employed to gather data from 278 randomly chosen farmers. Cross-sectional survey design and quantitative methodology were used to conduct the research. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, binary logistic regression, chi-square and the dependent sample t-test were used to analyze the data. The programme significantly improved farmers' knowledge, attitude skills, and aspirations on the application of ISFM technologies. Inorganic/ chemical fertilizers, slash- no burn, good farm sanitation, zero tillage and ploughing were practiced by the majority of the farmers and the perceived technology characteristics that influenced the adoption of the ISFM technologies are observability, “Others”, compatibility and relative advantage. The ISFM technology training programme significantly increased the farmers’ productivity and improved their livelihood. MoFA and other stakeholders should encourage the farmers to sustain the practice of the ISFM technologies and the implementation of more such programmes to improve farmers’ livelihoods.