Sustainability response to fertiliser use in maize production: implication for improving technical efficiency of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the sustainability response to fertiliser use in maize production and further analyse its implication for improving the technical efficiency of smallholder maize farmers in Northern Ghana. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted to sample 189 smallholder farmers and structured interview schedule was used to gather the data. The Marginal Value Product/Marginal Factor Cost, Sustainable Index Score, Stochastic Production Frontier Analysis, Seemingly Unrelated Regression Model, and the Heckit Treatment Effect Model were used in the analysis. The results revealed that row planting, crop rotation, recommended spacing, and pre-emergency weedicides were the commonly used sustainable practices adopted by smallholder maize farmers. The study also revealed that smallholder maize farmers were moderately sustainable in their farming activities. The study result showed that just like other critical inputs such as land, labour, and agrochemicals, smallholder maize farmers overutilised fertiliser while underutilising capital in their production. The technical efficiency level of maize farmers was 52%. The study found that adjusting fertiliser use efficiency level to optimum will increase the sustainability of maize production. Also, the study revealed that sustainable farm practices positively influence the technical efficiency of smallholder maize farmers. The study findings implied that to achieve optimum fertiliser use efficiency and improve technical efficiency, maize farmers would have to adjust fertiliser use levels downwards along with other critical inputs to optimum or increase their sustainable farm practices. The study recommends that the agricultural sector should provide training and other incentive programs to encourage smallholder farmers to engage in sustainable farm practices.