Willingness to pay for improvement in the agricultural activities of some six selected villages in west Akim district of Ghana (emphasis on cassava)

Abstract

Cassava is a tropical crop which originated from South America. Structured questionnaires were used to gather essential information on farmers’ willingness to pay for improved cassava by means of contingent valuation Method (CVM). The Survey carried out in the West Akim District of Ghana shows that 54% are willing to pay for improvement in their agricultural activities. The varieties of cassava they cultivate are Madumaku, Otuaka, Bosuminsia, Bankyebrodee, Ankrah, Esiabeyem, Soshe, Ada and Krobo. OLS Regression results show that the area of land for cassava cultivation depends on the total acre of land the individual farmers possess, type of labour and the number of children they have and logistic regression results shows that, cassava variety, livestock and family labour are significant variables that affect the willingness to pay for improvement in their farming activities. It is recommended that a pilot project is set up in these communities so that those who are not sure will see the proposed improvement in agriculture in order to build up confidence in them.

Keywords

• Cassava
• Pay
• Regression
• Survey
• Willingness