Crop diversification and farm optimization among smallholder farmers in the Wassa East District of Ghana

Abstract

Crop diversification is critical for smallholder farmers as far as farm optimization is concerned. This study examined crop diversification activities and farm optimization of smallholder farmers in the Wassa East District of Ghana's Western Region. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data using a cross-sectional survey design. The multistage sampling technique was employed to select 398 smallholder farmers, and Linear Programming (LP) model, crop diversification index, and Tobit model were used as analytical tools to analyze the data. The LP model was used to determine the optimal food crop combination that farmers should diversify to maximize income while at the same time satisfying their food subsistence and food security issues. Farmers in the study area identified cassava, plantain, maize, and sweet potato as the main crops. The results indicated that access to credit, land size owned, farming experience, off-farm activities, farm base organization, and optimum income statistically influence the extent of crop diversification. To achieve an optimum income of GH¢12927.9, farmer should cultivate 2.47 acres of maize, 0.22 acres of plantain, and 3.31 acres of cassava without growing any other crop. However, because the framers' goal extends beyond profit maximizing, the LP model introduces non basic activities and offers farmers alternate crop combinations to address their problem of food subsistence. According to the LP model analysis, capital followed by land and labour were the most limiting constraints. The sensitivity study also showed that the LP model withstood up well to changes in labour, capital, and land. The study suggested that farmers should adopt appropriate optimum farm plan system to ensure income stability and food subsistence. Finally, credit opportunities from financial institutions should be made available to farmers to increase their productivity and income.