Effect of seeds and fertilizer subsidy component of the ―planting for food and job‖ on the outcomes of Maize farmers in the Agona west municipality of the Central region – Ghana

Abstract

Maize is one of the most consumed food crops in Ghana. However, its production has been declining due to poor quality seeds and inadequate fertilizers. To deal with this challenge, the Ghana Government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, introduced a flagship programme; Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) with the aim of increasing productivity. Little empirical knowledge is known about how the intervention has improved the yields of maize farmers, especially in the Agona West Municipality. The main objective of the study was to examine the effect of seeds and fertilizer subsidy component of the PFJ programme on yield of maize farmers in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region of Ghana. Two hundred and seventy-seven beneficiaries were randomly selected and interviewed using structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, dependent and independent sample t-tests and correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that most (88%) of the respondents perceived the seeds and fertilizer subsidy component of the PFJ programme to be ‗very highly effective‘ in improving their yields. Also, 86% of the respondents ‗strongly agreed‘ to the overall perceived attributes of the PFJ programme. Majority (94%) of the maize farmers agreed to the fact that the PFJ policy have had comprehensive impact on their yield and income after the intervention. The dependent sample t-test shows significant increase in yield (about 154%) from 408mt/ha to 1038mt/ha at 0.05 alpha levels before and after the adoption of the PFJ programme respectively. The correlation analysis shows that marital status and Voluntariness had significant relationship with maize yield at 0.5 alpha level. Income also improved from GH₵5500 to GH₵9000 per hectare before and after the adoption of the seed and fertilizer subsidy respectively. Major challenges beneficiaries faced were their inability to follow repayment arrangements and ever-changing terms and conditions of the access to the input subsidy. It is recommended that government of Ghana should not discontinue the intervention programme since it has the potential to improve food production, income and the well-being of beneficiary maize farmers.