Adoption of Improved Sweetpotato Varieties in Ghana

Aim: To examine the awareness and adoption of improved sweetpotato varieties in Ghana.

Study Design: Multi-stage sampling (Proportional Probability, Purposive and Random) of Sweetpotato farmers.

Place and Duration of Study: Improved Root and Tuber Technology Implementation Hubs. Fifteen (15) districts were selected. In each district, 5 communities and 35 sweetpotato farm households were selected from each district. The total sample size was 525 households across the country. The average treatment methodology was used to estimate the factors influencing awareness and adoption of improved sweetpotato varieties and the effect of awareness on adoption.

Results: Awareness of improved sweetpotato varieties are significantly influenced by household size, farm experience, number of plots cultivated and membership of FBOs. The population adoption rate was 67.2%, whereas the adoption rate within the subpopulation that is aware of the improved sweetpotato varieties was 69.6%. Potential adoption among the farmers who are not aware of the improved sweetpotato varieties was 59.3% hence resulting in an adoption gap of 13.8% due to incomplete awareness.

Conclusion: Dissemination efforts should include effective awareness creation about the improved sweetpotato varieties across the country for enhanced adoption. For effective promotion and adoption of improved sweetpotato varieties in Ghana, factors such as the age of the farmers, farm experience in sweetpotato cultivation, residential status and number of plots owned by farmers need to be considered in designing appropriate strategies.