TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS OF NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA` RICE SECTOR: RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PERSPECTIVE (pp.84-90)
ABSTRACT
This research has adopted Total Factor Productivity model in assessing the impact of infrastructure access to rural rice farmers on rice productivity in Northern region of Ghana. The study used primary data collected from 180 rural rice farmers in three selected districts located in Northern region of Ghana. The findings of the research indicates that, rice farmers have access to road network, electricity, water, storage facilities and mobile network which frequency is seldom. However, most rice farmers never got education from extension agents or agricultural research institutions. The results of the Total Factor Productivity show that, soil conservation practices, amount of credit and visits by extension agents were positive significant infrastructures affecting rice productivity while distance to market significantly but inversely affected rice productivity in the selected districts. The research recommended that, regular access to road network, extension agents and research institutions by rural rice farmers are critical policies for the improvement of rice productivity in the study area.