Assessing Circular Agriculture Practices Behaviour of Smallholder Farmers in Yilo Krobo Municipality of Ghana

Abstract

The study assessed smallholder farmers' circular agricultural practices and behaviours in the Yilo Krobo Municipality. The study used a descriptive research design with simple random and purposive sampling techniques to interview 358 respondents from communities in the Yilo-Krobo Municipality. A questionnaire and interview guide was used to collect data in the study. The study revealed that smallholder farmers (66.8%) in Yilo-Krobo Municipality are hesitant to adopt circular agriculture practices such as using organic manure or compost, disease-resistant crops, and botanical or organic pesticides, largely due to doubts about their effectiveness and benefits. Financial constraints, limited market access, and inadequate technological infrastructure are major challenges hindering the widespread adoption of circular agriculture practices among farmers in the Yilo-Krobo Municipality. Most farmers in the Yilo-Krobo Municipality do not receive support from government agencies (93%), NGOs (100%), agricultural extension services (92%), and community associations (99%). Financial constraints, lack of modern technologies, inadequate market access, knowledge, training, and support gaps, insufficient market incentives, and varying social norms hindered the adoption of circular agriculture practices among smallholder farmers in the Yilo-Krobo Municipality. Hence, Government agencies and NGOs should collaborate to provide targeted educational programs that increase awareness of the benefits and effectiveness of circular agriculture practices. These programs should demonstrate the long-term benefits of such practices, including soil fertility and reduced chemical use.