Migration and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Ghana

Abstract

Climate change, soil degradation, and traditional farming practices drive internal migration in developing nations, exacerbating food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty. While this evidence is well established in the literature, there is limited evidence of how internal migration can influence the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs). Using data from Ghanaian farm households and instrumental variable estimation, we analyse the relationship between internal migration and SAPs. The findings reveal that farm households with internal migrants are more likely to use SAPs. The disaggregation analysis indicates that mulching is most strongly associated with internal migration, followed by mixed cropping, no tillage, and organic fertilizer use. These positive associations are particularly significant among poor and middle-wealth households, youth- and male-headed households, and those with access to agricultural extension services. Remittance income and labour availability emerge as key pathways through which internal migration drives SAP adoption, offering insights for policy and development strategies.

Keywords

• Sustainable agricultural practices
• internal migration
• household labour
• remittances