FACTORS AFFECTING THE ADOPTION OF IMPROVED SORGHUM VARIETIES AMONG FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN NORTHWEST GHANA: A PROBIT ANALYSIS

In an attempt to boost sorghum production, the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute in Ghana, over the years, has released a number of improved sorghum varieties to farmers in northern Ghana. The purpose of this study was to estmate the level of adoption, and to identify the factors that influenced the adoption of the improved sorghum varieties, using a probit model. It was found that age, available family labour, non-farm income, farmers' perception about the varieties, farm size and farm type positively influenced adoption while frequency of extension visits, the length of the fallow period and distance to the nearest purchase point of improved seed affected adoption negatively. Farmers' choice of variety to plant depended on yield, maturity period, market value, taste and suitability for local dishes. Although the estimated level of adoption was 40% of the sample, the estimated area under the improved sorghum varieties was only 0.1 % of sorghum area. For increased adoption of improved Sorghum varieties, the study recommends the following measures: (i) strengthening of research- extension-farmer linkages, (ii) intensified farmer education about the varieties, (iii) improvement in infrastructure and input distribution networks, (iv) active involvement offarmers in acquisition of inputs, (v) more sensitivity of re- search to farmer resource levels, (Vi) empowering farmers to en- gage in non-farm income generating activities and (vii) a more concerted effort at technology transfer.