Rice farm income diversification in Ghana and implications on household consumption expenditure

Abstract

PurposeThis study investigates implications of crop and income diversifications on consumption expenditure (welfare) of rice-producing households in Ghana. It further compares diversification by three rice production systems: two-season rain-fed, two-season irrigated and one-season rain-fed rice production.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were sourced from 225 rice farmers. Margalef index and three-stage least-squares were employed.FindingsMajority of rice-farming households in Ghana diversify livelihoods. The extent of livelihood diversification differs among two-season rain-fed, two-season irrigated and one-season rain-fed rice-producing households. Credit, distance to district capitals, production purpose and number of farming seasons influence crop and income diversifications, and consumption expenditure of rice-producing households. While crop diversification reduces consumption expenditure, income diversification increases it. Crop and income diversifications positively influence each other. Consumption expenditure reduces crop diversification but increases income diversification.Practical implicationsPolicy should be directed towards the promotion of more livelihood activities to boost rice farmers' welfare. There should be awareness creation and training programmes to enable rice farmers realize different economic activities within and outside the agricultural value chain.Originality/valueCrop and income diversifications were measured as continuous response variables, unlike previous studies that used a binary response variable. The authors established a synergy among crop and income diversifications, and consumption expenditure (welfare). The authors further compared crop and income diversifications by three rice production systems: two-season rain-fed, two-season irrigated and one-season rain-fed rice production systems.

Rice planting technologies and farm performance under different production systems in Ghana

“…Though there are wetlands and lowlands which are appropriate for sustainable rice production (Fagnombo et al , 2018), the cultivation and productivity of rice in SSA are negatively influenced by poor technologies (Amfo et al , 2021), poor agricultural policies (Balasubramanian et al , 2007) and low soil fertility (Sileshi et al , 2007; Makumba et al , 2006). In SSA, majority (about 90%) of rice are produced in lowlands, which are seasonally rain-fed.…”

“…In SSA, majority (about 90%) of rice are produced in lowlands, which are seasonally rain-fed. In Ghana and other West African countries, rice is usually produced in swampy areas as a result of inadequate irrigation dams (Amfo et al , 2021). The average paddy yield in SSA, 1.27 tonnes per hectare, is far lower than that of Asia, 4.2 tonnes per hectare (Ishmael et al , 2021).…”

“…Also, sowing of rice could be through seed broadcasting, dibbling or nursing and transplanting. Three rice cultivation systems are common in Ghana: lowland, upland and irrigated production (Amfo et al , 2021). Rao et al (2017) classified rice production systems and indicated that they affect farm performance.…”

[Retracted] Analysis of Chinese Household Consumption Expenditure Structure System Based on Factors and Clustering Algorithms

“…To achieve rural stability, farmers must be well-off and agricultural modernization over the years, thereby eliminating the obvious urban-rural dual structure that exists in the Chinese economy [5]. Based on the data in the 2020 China Statistical Yearbook, this article studies and discusses the living consumption expenditures of Chinese households in various regions [6]. By conducting factor analysis and cluster analysis on the living consumption structure of residents in various regions of the country, this paper hopes to do further analysis and research on the food consumption of rural residents in the hope of finding reasonable solutions.…”

Weather shocks, livelihood diversification, and household food security: Empirical evidence from rural Bangladesh

“…Here, we use three rounds of panel data and panel econometrics to control the drawbacks of crosssectional data. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, a number of studies have assessed the linkages between climate shock, livelihood diversification, and food security in African settings (e.g., Amfo et al, 2021;Asfaw et al, 2018Asfaw et al, , 2019Bozzola & Smale, 2020;Dedehouanou & McPeak, 2020;Islam et al, 2018;Olale & Henson, 2013). However, the knowledge gap remains in understanding the impacts of weather shocks on smallholder systems in South Asia.…”