Abstract:
Maize is one of the most consumed food crops in Ghana. However, its
production has been declining due to poor quality seeds and inadequate
fertilizers. To deal with this challenge, the Ghana Government through the
Ministry of Food and Agriculture introduced a flagship programme ―PFJ‖ with
the aim of increasing productivity. Little empirical knowledge is known about
how the intervention has improved the yields of maize farmers especially in the
Agona West Municipality. The main objective of the study was the effect of
seeds and fertilizer subsidy component of the PFJ programme on yield of maize
farmers in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region of Ghana. Two
hundred and seventy-seven beneficiaries were randomly selected and
interviewed using structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, paired
sample t-test and Pearson correlation matrix and OLS were used to analyze the
data. The results of the study showed that most (88%) of the respondents
perceived the seeds and fertilizer subsidy component of the PFJ programme to
be very highly effective. Again 86% of the respondents strongly agreed to the
overall perceived attributes of the PFJ programme. The study's findings showed
that most (94%) of the maize farmers agreed to the fact that the PFJ policy have
had comprehensive impact on their yield and on their income as compared to
previous years. The dependent sample t- test shows significant increase in yield
(150%) from 408mt/ha to 1038mt/ha at 0.05 alpha levels before and after the
adoption of the PFJ programme respectively. The regression analysis revealed
that 4 independent variables (marital status, educational level, compatibility and
relative advantage) were best predictors of maize farmers yield and income.
Income also significantly improved from gh₵5500 to gh₵9000 per hectare
before and after the adoption of the seed and fertilizer subsidy respectively.
Major problems beneficiaries identified as hindrance to the project is the
repayment arrangements and the ever-changing terms and conditions of the
access to the input subsidy. The study concluded that the PFJ programme has
brought about 85% increase in yield. The study recommended that government
of Ghana should not discontinue the intervention programme since it has the
potential to improve food production, income and the well-being of the people in
the study area.
