Hudu Zakaria | University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana (original) (raw)

Papers by Hudu Zakaria

Environmental Sciences Proceedings, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 2022

This study assesses contract farming effect on the well-being of yam farmers in the Mion district... more This study assesses contract farming effect on the well-being of yam farmers in the Mion district of the Northern region of Ghana. Through descriptive survey design 400 smallholder farmers in the district were surveyed with interviews and focus group discussion used to collect data from the sampled farmers. Descriptive statistics, factors analysis and Propensity Scores Matching were used to analyze the data. The propensity scores matching result indicates that farmers who participated in contract farming were more productive compared with non-participants. Participation in contract farming was found to have positive and significant effect on yam farmers' perceived well-being. In comparison with non-participants, yam farmers who participated in contract farming perceived themselves to have better wellbeing in terms of increased income, improved access to health and nutrition, improved food security, reduced poverty, reduced vulnerability, ability to pay for ward education and physical assets ownership. It is recommended that the MOFA and the District Assembly should facilitate farmers' access to contract farming schemes and other financial services to help farmers improve their productivity and better wellbeing.

Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 2014

Ghana Journal of Development Studies

Access to credit for financing agro-processing enterprises has been one of the critical constrain... more Access to credit for financing agro-processing enterprises has been one of the critical constraints facing small-scale women agro-processors in developing countries. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have been hailed for providing tailored-made financial products for such small-scale businesses. However, the use of borrowed money from MFIs is critical in the improvement of the general well-being of women borrowers. This paper presents the findings of a study that examined factors affecting credit utilization among women agro-processors in the Northern Region of Ghana. The theory underpinning the study is the life cycle theory which suggests that there exists a relationship between productivity and some socioeconomic characteristics such as age. A descriptive survey design was used to gather data from 402 women agro-processors in two districts of the Northern Region of Ghana. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in analyzing the data. Women agro-processors surveye...

Copernicus Publishers Panel, Poland with IC Value of 5.09 & number of libraries all around the wo... more Copernicus Publishers Panel, Poland with IC Value of 5.09 & number of libraries all around the world. Circulated all over the world & Google has verified that scholars of more than 2980 Cities in 165 countries/territories are visiting our journal on regular basis.

This paper discussed findings of a survey conducted to investigate the implications of cultural b... more This paper discussed findings of a survey conducted to investigate the implications of cultural believes and practices associated with yam farming on the adoption of Yam Minisett Technology among farmers in the Nanumba North and Gushiegu Districts of Northern Region of Ghana. Data were collected from a sample of 180 farmers, 90 from each district and analysed using discriminant analysis and the results presented in tables. The results of the study revealed that, among the variables which were found to be significant in predicting farmers' adoption behaviour regarding Yam Minisett Technology, the sociocultural considerations such performance of rituals associated with yam growing contributed strongly in the total discriminant power of the independent variables in the discriminant function. Others cultural beliefs and practices related variables which were significant in classifying adopters of Yam Minisett Technology and Non-adopters were 'believe or otherwise of spiritual na...

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significant of Yam Minisetts Technology (YMT) on ... more The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significant of Yam Minisetts Technology (YMT) on yield and profitability of ware yam production among farmers in Northern Ghana. Primary data were collected from 242 yam farmers sampled through multi-stage sampling techniques in the Nanumba North and Gushiegu Districts of Northern Region. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, gross margin and benefit/cost analysis with doubled log multiple regression model used in analysing the influence of socioeconomic variables on yield of yam. The study established that farms panted with yam setts generated through YMT yielded relative more than those planted with the conventional seed yam. Similarly, gross margin and benefit/cost ratio of farms planted with the conventional seed yam and those using YMT were found to differ significantly. Respondents who planted their yam farmers using YMT setts obtained relatively higher gross margin than those farmers who used the conventional seed yam...

academia.edu

Academia.edu helps academics follow the latest research.

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2005

he study investigated the constraints to farmers' intention to pay for private irrigation in Nand... more he study investigated the constraints to farmers' intention to pay for private irrigation in Nandom District, Ghana. Using a key informant interviews and semi-structured questionnaires, the study collected data from 236 farmers. Data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Kendall coefficient of concordance was used to determine the level of agreement among farmers in ranking of constraints. The study found financial constraint (low income) as the most important constraints to farmers' readiness to pay for private irrigation. Other important constraints were lack of ready market for output, crop pest and diseases, unstable output price, costly private services, inadequate supply of complementary inputs and lack of credit services. We concluded that lack of ready market, unstable price for farm produce and lack of credit services jointly worsen farmer's finances and consequently constraint their ability to pay even under condition of perfect knowledge of the benefits that could accrue from the technology. This study recommends the implementation of the proposed private irrigation service but management of the service should incorporate an efficient value chain in the management of the service.

The objectives of the course is: 1. To stimulate students interest and understanding about the co... more The objectives of the course is:
1. To stimulate students interest and understanding about the concept and practice of
extension and the need for extension in agricultural development
2. To discuss history of agricultural extension in the world and Ghana in particular
3. To discuss basic philosophy, objectives and principles of agricultural extension.
5. To introduce students to extension communication strategies to enable them develop good
communication and facilitation skills
6. To introduce students to extension communication strategies to enable them develop good
communication and facilitation skills.
7. To discuss with students various extension approaches and teaching methods
8. To facilitate students understanding of change process, innovation adoption and diffusion
process
9. To enable students understand and appreciate extension program development.
10. To understand various PRA tools and techniques for diagnosing rural development
challenges.

Following the passage of Ghana Biosafety Act, 2011, (Act, 831) and the Plant Breeders’ Protection... more Following the passage of Ghana Biosafety Act, 2011, (Act, 831) and the Plant Breeders’ Protection Bills being currently under consideration stage in Parliament, there has been intense debate in many media platforms, on the safety and appropriateness of applying GMO technology in commercial agriculture. As such a lot of information is being chained out in
the public domain with potential effect on farmers’ prospective adoption decision. This paper presents findings of a study
investigating factors predicting farmers’ adoption intention from a survey of 305 members of Farmer Based Organizations in Northern Region of Ghana. A probit regression analysis was used in identifying factors which significantly predict farmers’
adoption decision. The study found more than two –third of the farmers surveyed intending to adopt the cultivation of
Genetically Modified crops. Results of the probit model estimates indicate that farmers’ ‘basic knowledge about Genetically Modified crops’, ‘crops income as a ratio of household annual income’ and ‘mistrust of government policy on GM crops’ are significant in predicting farmers’ adoption decision. It is recommended that Ministry of Food and Agriculture, agricultural biotechnology research institutions and other relevant organizations, should help provide farmer education on the benefits of applying Genetically Modified Organisms technology in agriculture.

Compared to urban areas, a satellite picture of rural areas at night is distressing. Bright light... more Compared to urban areas, a satellite picture of rural areas at night is distressing. Bright lights are few and far between yet in the face of the Strategic National Energy Plan, Sustainable Energy for All Action Plan, the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project and Energy Sector Strategy and Development Plan is the energy sector vision which advocates for accessible energy for all households in Ghana. This paper investigates the factors that influence households’ choice of modern electricity in the West Mampurisi District of Ghana using a household survey data. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to obtain 295 households for the study. The underlying empirical model was estimated using the Probit model. Contrary to widely held beliefs, the results of the Probit model revealed that cattle ownership which is a proxy for wealth/income is not a key determinant of household energy connectivity. Significant and positive variables included tenancy type, radio, TV and fridge ownership, perception about electricity, duration and cost of use of electricity. Government can support the development of alternative energy sources such as renewable energy or promote the entry of multiple players into the generation market to reduce the cost of supplying utility power to the rural communities, thus enabling affordability by every household.

The fact that rural livelihood portfolios is expanding and diversifying beyond agriculture is not... more The fact that rural livelihood portfolios is expanding and diversifying beyond
agriculture is not contested. However, very little is known on gender dimension of rural
livelihoods diversification and whether gender makes any difference in rural dwellers
construction of livelihood portfolios. This paper therefore presents findings of analysis of data
obtained from USAID sponsored Feed The Future population baseline survey conducted in
2012 in their Northern Ghana Zone of Influence, with the view of examining gender dimension
of livelihoods diversification among the 13,580 respondents who were 15 years or older.
Results of the analysis revealed significant gender differentiation in number of livelihood
activities engaged in by men and women. The results established that livelihoods diversification
is common across gender in Northern Ghana, but men are more likely to engage in more
livelihood activities than women. Significantly more men than women were found to have been
engaged in paid wage labour within the last 12 months, with women dominating the non-farm
self-employed livelihood enterprises. This paper therefore recommends that, measures aim at
women economic empowerment, should target providing training and financial support to
enable women improve their non-farm livelihood enterprises.
KEYWORDS: Livelihoods, diversification, on-farm, non-farm and

The purpose of this paper is to examine determinants of female labour participation in on-farm, a... more The purpose of this paper is to examine determinants of female labour participation in on-farm, and non-farm livelihood enterprises among women in north of Ghana. Data were obtained from a Population baseline survey conducted by METSS as part of USAID „Feed The Future Programme‟ in Northern Ghana Zone in 2012. The survey covered 4,410 households with over 24,000 persons. Individuals covered in this survey who were 15 years or older were 13, 580 and they constitute the sample for this paper. The data were analysed by the use of Chi-square and probit regression analysis. The results of the Chi-square analysis established significant gender disparities in labour participation in food and cash crop production, livestock production, non-farm self-employed enterprises and paid wage labour at 1% level of significance. Also the probit regression analysis identified the location of respondents as either rural or urban, household status, marital status, literacy, participation in household decision making on use of productive resources, income and control over household resources as significant in determining female labour participation in both on-farm and non-farm self-employed enterprises as well as wage labour. The paper recommends empowerment of females through enhancing their access to formal education, improving their access to household decision making on use of household income and control over productive resource to facilitate their participation in both on-farm and non-farm enterprises as well as wage labour.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate effects of mothers’ participation in intra-household ... more The purpose of this paper is to investigate effects of mothers’ participation in intra-household decision making on the nutritional status of their children. The paper relied solely on analysis of data for Northern Region of Ghana, collected as part of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Feed the Future population baseline survey conducted in 2012. Multiple Linear Regression Model was used in examining mothers’ participation in intra-household decision making on children’s weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height which were used as proxies for children’s nutritional status. Results of the analysis revealed that, the Region is still far from achieving the MDG 1 target of attaining 1.8% malnutrition prevalence rate, as stunting, underweight and wasting prevalence rates among children in the region were found to be 27%, 25% and 13% respectively. The analysis also found mothers’ participation in intra-household decision making, ownership and control of household resources as significant in influencing positively children’s nutritional status. Increasing participation and power of women in intra-household decision making process are imperative in improving children nutritional status and reducing malnutrition prevalence among children under five years. It is therefore recommended that programmes and projects aimed at promoting sustainable nutritional wellbeing among children should consider empowering mothers of children so as to promote their status and barging power in intra-household decision making process.

The main purpose of this paper is to analyse dietary diversity among mothers of child bearing age... more The main purpose of this paper is to analyse dietary diversity among mothers of child bearing ages in Northern Ghana and to identify socio-economic determinants of dietary diversity among these women. Data used in this paper were obtained from USAID sponsored METSS-Feed-The Future Population Baseline survey conducted in Northern Ghana in 2012. Descriptive statistics and Probit Regression analysis were used in analysing and identifying socioeconomic determinants of dietary diversity and the results presented in tables and graphs. The study found average dietary diversity score among the fifteen different food groups considered to be 5 (SD =2.41), with more than half of the mothers interviewed having their dietary diversity score falling below 5. Results of the probit analysis found age, marital status, and household membership structure, participation in household decision making, ethnicity and literacy as significant socioeconomic determinants of dietary diversity among mothers in Northern Ghana. The low dietary diversity among mothers, as revealed in this study is
worrying and of great concerns requiring concerted policy intervention. It is therefore recommended as a matter of urgency that public health policy directions have to focus on helping improve dietary diversity among women through public education targeted at influencing eating habits and improving women’s participation in household
decision making processes.

Environmental Sciences Proceedings, 2022

Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 2022

Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 2014

Ghana Journal of Development Studies

academia.edu

Academia.edu helps academics follow the latest research.

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2005

PhD thesis defense, 2018

As the debate on commercialization of Genetically Modified (GM)) crops continue to rage the persp... more As the debate on commercialization of Genetically Modified (GM)) crops continue to rage the perspectives of smallholder farmers in Africa regarding this novel technology is increasingly becoming relevant and imperative for both agricultural policy makers and researchers alike. This study assessed underlying constructs characterising smallholder farmers’ perceptions and adoption decision towards the cultivation of GM crops. The study was conducted in the three northern regions of Ghana namely - Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. Through multi – stage sampling technique 360 smallholder farmers belonging to 120 Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) from 10 sampled districts across the three northern regions were surveyed. Descriptive survey design and Q methodological procedure of gathering narratives were employed in sourcing data for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics, discourse analysis and probit regression analysis were employed in analysing the study’s data. The findings of the study revealed that smallholder farmers have very little knowledge about GM crops. Analysis of respondents’ narratives on what they understood about GM crops revealed wide arrays of patchy and vague ideas. Q-factor analysis of respondents’ narratives on their views about GM crops identified four underlying constructs characterising the perceptions of smallholder farmers towards GM crops. The constructs were ‘GM crops positive or progressive perceivers, ‘GM crops negative perceiver’, ‘GM crops cynic or sceptic perceivers’ and ‘GM crops neutral or dispassionate perceivers’. Regarding GM crops adoption decision among smallholder farmers surveyed, findings of the study revealed that many (41%) of the respondents intended adopting GM crops cultivation when commercialization commenced in Ghana. Results of the probit regression analysis shows that some selected demographic characteristics such as age, household size and marital status and farm characteristics such as farm seize, experience in crop farming, source of information on GM crops and use of certified seeds significantly influenced farmers’ adoption decision towards GM crops. In general, smallholder farmers surveyed have high hopes of GM technology being used to incorporate drought tolerant, early maturing and high yielding traits into their local crop varieties and help reduce cost of weed, pest and disease control. However, the cost of GM seed and the possible unreliability of its supply were ranked as the most important possible constraints that might limit their cultivation of GM crops. The study recommends that conscious efforts should be made by Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to actively engage smallholder farmers through their FBOs in formulating and implementing the country’s agrobiotechnology programme. Also National Biosafety Authority should strengthen their public education on biotechnology activities to help create awareness of biosafety regulations and agrobiotechnology research activities in the country.