Abstract:
This study investigates the effects of sustainable farm management practice
(SFMP) on the yield of hot pepper in the Agona West Municipality in the
Central Region of Ghana. It adopted a correlational descriptive survey design
using a structured interview schedule to elicit information from 140 farmers
engaged in hot pepper production. The study found that farmers in the Agona
West Municipality of the Central Region who are engaged in hot pepper
production frequently practice Integrated Pests Management (IPM), fungicide
application, Integrated Weed Management (IWM) and conservation tillage,
and occasionally practice irrigation and pruning. A statistically significant and
positive relationship was found between the perceived use of IPM, fungicide
application, IWM, irrigation and conservation tillage, and yield of hot pepper,
except for pruning which was positive but not significant. The major
challenges faced by the farmers in the Agona West Municipality in the use of
SFMP in hot pepper production were inadequate capital, inadequate labour,
land tenure problems and inadequate access to water for irrigation. It is
recommended that, government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture
(MoFA), and other stakeholders, should intensify extension training and
facilitate farmers‘ access to loans and problem-free land to promote SFMPs in
the study area to boost hot pepper production. The farmers can also form
cooperatives to raise capital through group loans.
Key words: Sustainable farm management practice, adoption, hot pepper
farmers, hot pepper yield, vegetable production.
