Determinants of Mushroom Commercialisation Among Small-scale Mushroom Producers in Selected Municipalities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Ghana government has been pursuing the commercialisation of mushrooms since 1990, in accordance with the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP), which aims to promote the commercialisation of smallholder farmers. The study explored the drivers of mushroom commercialisation in the Ga East and Adentan municipalities in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The study used a structured interview schedule to collect data from 153 mushroom producers in the study area, using a quantitative research approach, cross- sectional survey design and census. The data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, Ordinary Least Squares regression, Garret ranking and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The study revealed that all the mushroom producers had received formal education and were on average 48 years old. The mean annual intensity and degree of mushroom commercialisation, respectively, were 75 percent and GHS 10202.29. Social awareness, market incentives, and the economic value of mushrooms motivated mushroom commercialisation, whereas institutional constraints and personal weaknesses, value chain challenges and market uncertainty inhibited it. The key Food Research Institute (FRI)’s contributions to mushroom commercialisation were training on production technologies and spawn supply, with annual income, economic value of mushroom, challenges in mushroom value chain and hired labour determining the degree of mushroom commercialisation. Stakeholders should encourage the youth to cultivate mushroom and enhance training in production technologies, spawn production, establish a market hub, raise mushroom awareness and strengthen the mushroom value chain.