Development of agricultural mechanization in Ghana: Network, actors, and institutions: A case study of Ejura-Sekyedumase district

This paper characterizes the network of tractor service providers in Ghana. Using the case of Ejura-Sekye-dumase district, this research examines the implications of the adoption of mechanical technology in agriculture for farmers and institutions based on perspectives that go beyond the suppliers a...

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Main Authors: Cossar, Frances, Houssou, Nazaire, Asante-Addo, Collins
Format: Artículo preliminar
Language:Inglés
Published: International Food Policy Research Institute 2016
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/147450
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author Cossar, Frances
Houssou, Nazaire
Asante-Addo, Collins
author_browse Asante-Addo, Collins
Cossar, Frances
Houssou, Nazaire
author_facet Cossar, Frances
Houssou, Nazaire
Asante-Addo, Collins
author_sort Cossar, Frances
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper characterizes the network of tractor service providers in Ghana. Using the case of Ejura-Sekye-dumase district, this research examines the implications of the adoption of mechanical technology in agriculture for farmers and institutions based on perspectives that go beyond the suppliers and users of mechanization ser-vices alone. The results suggest that, in addition to rising population density and favorable access to local and regional markets, the current pattern of use of tractors by farmers in Ejura district emerged from favorable histori-cal and institutional factors. The current arrangement involving a network of private tractor owners providing trac-tor hire services to a broad set of farmers draws upon the legacy of an earlier institutional intervention and is sus-tained organizationally through kinship and other existing social relationships within and outside the district. More-over, the expansion of tractor use has created a set of new roles and relationships within the network. Participa-tion in the network is affected by various factors, including farmer’s access to capital and knowledge, experience, and contacts. This privately operated network is significantly more efficient and provides small-scale farmers with considerably better access to plowing service than did previous government-managed systems. Further develop-ment of the tractor service sector is likely to improve the quality of mechanization offered to smallholder farmers, enhance bargaining power for farmers seeking such services, and reduce structural weaknesses within the net-work.
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spelling CGSpace1474502025-11-06T05:14:24Z Development of agricultural mechanization in Ghana: Network, actors, and institutions: A case study of Ejura-Sekyedumase district Cossar, Frances Houssou, Nazaire Asante-Addo, Collins farm inputs intensification private sector mechanization governance This paper characterizes the network of tractor service providers in Ghana. Using the case of Ejura-Sekye-dumase district, this research examines the implications of the adoption of mechanical technology in agriculture for farmers and institutions based on perspectives that go beyond the suppliers and users of mechanization ser-vices alone. The results suggest that, in addition to rising population density and favorable access to local and regional markets, the current pattern of use of tractors by farmers in Ejura district emerged from favorable histori-cal and institutional factors. The current arrangement involving a network of private tractor owners providing trac-tor hire services to a broad set of farmers draws upon the legacy of an earlier institutional intervention and is sus-tained organizationally through kinship and other existing social relationships within and outside the district. More-over, the expansion of tractor use has created a set of new roles and relationships within the network. Participa-tion in the network is affected by various factors, including farmer’s access to capital and knowledge, experience, and contacts. This privately operated network is significantly more efficient and provides small-scale farmers with considerably better access to plowing service than did previous government-managed systems. Further develop-ment of the tractor service sector is likely to improve the quality of mechanization offered to smallholder farmers, enhance bargaining power for farmers seeking such services, and reduce structural weaknesses within the net-work. 2016-05-06 2024-06-21T09:22:54Z 2024-06-21T09:22:54Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/147450 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Cossar, Frances; Houssou, Nazaire; and Asante-Addo, Collins. 2016. Development of agricultural mechanization in Ghana: Network, actors, and institutions: A case study of Ejura-Sekyedumase district. GSSP Working Paper 43. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://hdl.handle.net/10568/147450
spellingShingle farm inputs
intensification
private sector
mechanization
governance
Cossar, Frances
Houssou, Nazaire
Asante-Addo, Collins
Development of agricultural mechanization in Ghana: Network, actors, and institutions: A case study of Ejura-Sekyedumase district
title Development of agricultural mechanization in Ghana: Network, actors, and institutions: A case study of Ejura-Sekyedumase district
title_full Development of agricultural mechanization in Ghana: Network, actors, and institutions: A case study of Ejura-Sekyedumase district
title_fullStr Development of agricultural mechanization in Ghana: Network, actors, and institutions: A case study of Ejura-Sekyedumase district
title_full_unstemmed Development of agricultural mechanization in Ghana: Network, actors, and institutions: A case study of Ejura-Sekyedumase district
title_short Development of agricultural mechanization in Ghana: Network, actors, and institutions: A case study of Ejura-Sekyedumase district
title_sort development of agricultural mechanization in ghana network actors and institutions a case study of ejura sekyedumase district
topic farm inputs
intensification
private sector
mechanization
governance
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/147450
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