Meeting productive capacity of agro-processors in Ghana: What are the drivers?

2016

English

Strengthening agricultural processing may be among the most effective ways of improving the agricultural sector which would ensure food security and economic development as well as address global poverty. Productivity in agro processing is limited by several factors that affect ability of processors to meet maximum production levels. This paper sought to identify and assess the determinants of Ghana’s agro-processing productivity. A two-stage sampling approach was employed to collect cross sectional data from about 1,615 agro-processing entrepreneurs from 49 districts and municipalities across the 10 regions of Ghana through interviews, focus group discussions and with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Results of the Binary Logistic Regression model employed in the analysis revealed training opportunities, access to R&D support, access to finance, years of experience in the agro-processing industry and ownership of equipment/tools influenced maximum productive capacity positively. On the other hand, education, group membership and market availability, contrary to expectation influenced productivity negatively. It is therefore recommended that, the right support (finance and R&D) and initiatives should be provided and made readily accessible to agribusiness entrepreneurs in Ghana to maximize their productive capacity

Williams, P. A.; Akuffobea, M.; Onumah, J. A.; Essegbey, G. O.