Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ): A panacea for productivity and welfare of rice farmers in Northern Ghana

Abstract

This research examined the effect of the Government of Ghana’s agricultural policy of Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) on rice farmers` productivity and welfare in Northern Ghana. The study used survey data collected from beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the programme who cultivated rice in 2018 production season. Respondents were randomly selected, and data analysed using empirical methods of Inverse Propensity Weighting Estimation and the Local Average Treatment Effect. The results indicate an insignificant increase in income levels from rice production, but a significant reduction in farm expenditure, an increase in per capita monthly spending and a decrease in income poverty of households. The findings reveal a positive impact of the agricultural technologies implemented under Planting for Food and Jobs programme on rice productivity and welfare of rice farmers in Northern Ghana. The research recommends the need for government to expand the beneficiaries using local media and the policy instrument of input subsidies to promote the use of fertiliser and improved rice varieties.

Keywords

• food
• income
• jobs
• rice
• welfare