Determinants of Soybean Yield-Enhancing Technology Adoption by Smallholder Soybean Farmers in Northern and Upper East Regions of Ghana

Selase Kwaku Dotse; Francis K. Obeng; Theresa Ampadu-Boakye; Samuel Allotey; Samuel Adjei-Nsiah

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.1.92

Authors

Selase Kwaku Dotse
selasekwaku@gmail.com
University for Development Studies, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9331-6968
Francis K. Obeng University for Development Studies, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3988-0792
Theresa Ampadu-Boakye International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4381-3488
Samuel Allotey University for Development Studies, Ghana
Samuel Adjei-Nsiah International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, University of Ghana, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7394-4913

Keywords:

Adoption, Communication Channels, Extension Services, Good Agricultural Practices, Yield-Enhancing Technologies

Abstract

This study analyzed determinants of soybean yield-enhancing technology adoption among smallholder farmers in Ghana’s Northern and Upper East Regions, focusing on innovations promoted under the IITA-led N2Africa (2014–2018) and SSPiNG (2021–2024) projects. This study was guided by the adoption theory, which offers a micro-level perspective on change, focusing on individual units within a system, and the diffusion theory, which examines how innovations spread across populations, highlighting the roles of time, social influence, and collective adaptation. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design. Using a multi-stage sampling design, data were collected from 620 farmers, sampled from 35607 farmers, from four districts, using surveys through semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Data, analyzed with SPSS v28.0 using descriptive statistics and a Probit regression model, revealed that farm size strongly and significantly correlated with the adoption of certified seeds (r = 0.318), fertilizer (r = 0.378), inoculants (r = 0.241), mechanized planters (r = 0.498), and Good Agricultural Practices (r = 0.498) at p < 0.05. Education, age, extension access, and support systems were also significant predictors. The results concluded that access to credit showed a negative but insignificant effect, suggesting that financial resources alone are insufficient without complementary knowledge, support, and infrastructure. The findings underscore the need for integrated government, research, non-governmental organization (NGO), and private-sector interventions to enhance dissemination, farmer capacity, and access to quality inputs, thereby boosting adoption rates and soybean productivity.

Dimensions

REFERENCES

Abate, G. T., Rashid, S., Borzaga, C., & Getnet, K. (2016). Rural finance and agricultural technology adoption in Ethiopia: does the institutional design of lending organizations matter? World Development, 84, 235-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2016.03.003

Abban, R. (2020). Firm characteristics, business environment, and performance of non-traditional agricultural SME exporters in Ghana. Wageningen University and Research.

Abdoulaye, T., Wossen, T., & Awotide, B. (2018). Impacts of improved maize varieties in Nigeria: ex-post assessment of productivity and welfare outcomes. Food Security, 10(2), 369-379. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-018-0772-9

Adesina, A. A., & Zinnah, M. M. (1993). Technology characteristics, farmers' perceptions and adoption decisions: A Tobit model application in Sierra Leone. Agricultural Economics, 9(4), 297-311. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-0862.1993.tb00276.x

Albishi, T. S., Adaigho, D., Alqahtani, N. K., Sami, R., Uguru, H., Helal, M., ... & Qari, S. H. (2026). In vitro evaluation of bio-fortification effects on the nutritional quality, toxicological safety, and antioxidant of cassava (Manihot esculenta) flour, and environmental safety of processing water, using natural additives. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12, 1731737. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1731737

Alene, A. D., Manyong, V. M., Omanya, G., Mignouna, H. D., Bokanga, M., & Odhiambo, G. (2008). Smallholder market participation under transactions costs: maize supply and fertilizer demand in Kenya. Food Policy, 33(4), 318-328.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2007.12.001

Amegashie, J. A. (2023). Market segregation in the presence of customer discrimination. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 105, 102044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2023.102044

Aryal, J. P., Sapkota, T. B., Rahut, D. B., Marenya, P., & Stirling, C. M. (2021). Climate risks and adaptation strategies of farmers in East Africa and South Asia. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 10489. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89391-1

Asfaw, S., Kassie, M., Simtowe, F., & Lipper, L. (2012). Poverty reduction effects of agricultural technology adoption: a micro-evidence from rural Tanzania. Journal of Development Studies, 48(9), 1288-1305. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2012.671475

Balana, B. B., & Oyeyemi, M. A. (2022). Agricultural credit constraints in smallholder farming in developing countries: evidence from Nigeria. World Development Sustainability, 1, 100012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wds.2022.100012

Bonabana-Wabbi, J. (2002). Assessing factors affecting adoption of agricultural technologies: The case of integrated pest management (IPM) in Kumi District, Eastern Uganda (Doctoral dissertation, Virginia Tech).

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.

https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Calderon, V. F., & Berlind, A. A. (2019). Prediction of galaxy halo masses in SDSS DR7 via a machine learning approach. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 490(2), 2367-2379. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stz2775

Capretti, L. (2023). Technology adoption constraints and laser land levelling: evidence from Karnataka, India. Working Papers 1/23, Sapienza University of Rome, DISS.

Coates, B. S., Poelchau, M., Childers, C., Evans, J. D., Handler, A., Guerrero, F., ... & Shoemaker, D. D. (2015). Arthropod genomics research in the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service: current impacts and future prospects. Trends Entomol, 11(12), 12-27.

Danso-Abbeam, G., Ehiakpor, D. S., & Aidoo, R. (2018). Agricultural extension and its effects on farm productivity and income: insight from Northern Ghana. Agriculture & Food Security, 7(1), 74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-018-0225-x

Diagne, A. (2006). Diffusion and adoption of NERICA rice varieties in Côte d'Ivoire. The Developing Economies, 44(2), 208-231.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1049.2006.00014.x

Diao, X., Hazell, P., & Thurlow, J. (2010). The role of agriculture in African development. World Development, 38(10), 1375-1383.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2009.06.011

Dogbe, W., Etwire, P. M., Etwire, J. C., Baba, I. I. Y., & Siise, A. (2013). Economics of soybean production evidence from Saboba and Chereponi Districts of Northern Region of Ghana. Journal of Agricultural Science, 5, 38-46. https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v5n12p38

Donkor, E., & Owusu, V. (2019). Mineral fertiliser adoption and land productivity: implications for securing stable rice production in northern Ghana. Land, 8(4), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/land8040059

Doss, C. R. (2001). Designing agricultural technology for African women farmers: lessons from 25 years of experience. World Development, 29(12), 2075-2092. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(01)00088-2

Doss, C. R. (2006). Analyzing technology adoption using microstudies: limitations, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Agricultural Economics, 34(3), 207-219. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-0864.2006.00119.x

Dzanku, F. M., & Sarpong, D. B. (2014). Ghana: household-level farm-nonfarm linkages and household welfare implications. Ghana Micro Report, Institute of Statistical Social & Economic Research, Legon, Ghana.

El-Agroudy, N., Mokhtar, S., Zaghlol, E. A., & El Gebaly, M. (2011). An economic study of the production of soybean in Egypt. Agric Biol JN Am, 2(2), 221-225. https://doi.org/10.5251/abjna.2011.2.2.221.225

Emmanuel, D., Owusu-Sekyere, E., Owusu, V., & Jordaan, H. (2016). Impact of agricultural extension service on adoption of chemical fertilizer: implications for rice productivity and development in Ghana. NJAS: Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 79(1), 41-49.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2016.10.002

Eric, O. O., Prince, A. A., & Elfreda, A. N. A. (2014). Effects of education on the agricultural productivity of farmers in the Offinso Municipality. International Journal of Development Research, 4(9), 1951-1960.

Evan, A. T., Vimont, D. J., Heidinger, A. K., Kossin, J. P., & Bennartz, R. (2009). The role of aerosols in the evolution of tropical North Atlantic Ocean temperature anomalies. Science, 324(5928), 778-781. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1167404

Fadnavis, S., Roy, C., Chattopadhyay, R., Sioris, C. E., Rap, A., Müller, R., ... & Krishnan, R. (2018). Transport of trace gases via eddy shedding from the Asian summer monsoon anticyclone and associated impacts on ozone heating rates. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 18(15), 11493-11506. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-11493-2018

Feder, G., Just, R. E., & Zilberman, D. (1985). Adoption of agricultural innovations in developing countries: a survey. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 33(2), 255-298. https://doi.org/10.1086/451461

Gustafsson, J., Cederberg, C., Sonesson, U., & Emanuelsson, A. (2013). The methodology of the FAO study: global food losses and food waste-extent, causes and prevention. FAO.

IDDI, T. (2024). Evaluation of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) germplasm for improved agronomic traits for potential mechanical harvesting (Doctoral dissertation).

Johnson, S. R., Bernstein, E. J., Bolster, M. B., Chung, J. H., Danoff, S. K., George, M. D., ... & Ivlev, I. (2024). 2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) guideline for the treatment of interstitial lung disease in people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 76(8), 1182-1200.

https://doi.org/10.1002/art.42860

https://doi.org/10.1002/art.42861

Kalton, G. (2009). Methods for oversampling rare subpopulations in social surveys. Survey Methodology, 35(2), 125-141.

Kassie, M., Teklewold, H., Jaleta, M., Marenya, P., & Erenstein, O. (2015). Understanding the adoption of a portfolio of sustainable intensification practices in eastern and southern Africa. Land Use Policy, 42, 400-411.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2014.08.016

Kitole, F. A. (2023). Economics of agricultural development: world food systems and resource use. Routledge.

https://doi.org/10.1080/03031853.2023.2181831

Kwao, B. (2017). Sustainable systems in Northern Ghana: assessing the influence of international development. Brock University.

Kwapong, N. A., Whitfield, S., Ambuko, J., Ankrah, D. A., & Swanepoel, F. (2024). Using participatory videos in understanding farmers experiences with climate smart agricultural practices: reflections from Ghana. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7, 1282993.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1282993

Langdon, S., Ritter, A. R., & Samy, Y. (2018). African economic development. Routledge.

https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315690506

Luca, A., Marzia, I., Stefania, C., Di Pietro, C., Sortino, G., Vukadin, A., & Simona, B. (2018). Pasta experience: eating with the five senses-A pilot study. AIMS Agriculture and Food, 3(4), 493-520. https://doi.org/10.3934/agrfood.2018.4.493

Mahama, A. (2019). Agricultural technology transfer mechanisms and adoption among soybean farmers in Chereponi District of Northern Region of Ghana (Doctoral dissertation, University for Development Studies).

Maiga, W. H., Porgo, M., Zahonogo, P., Amegnaglo, C. J., Coulibaly, D. A., Flynn, J., ... & Chimwaza, G. (2020). A systematic review of employment outcomes from youth skills training programmes in agriculture in low- and middle-income countries. Nature Food, 1(11), 755. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-00183-8

Marenya, P. P., & Barrett, C. B. (2007). Household-level determinants of adoption of improved natural resources management practices among smallholder farmers in western Kenya. Food Policy, 32(4), 515-536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2006.10.002

Martey, E., Wiredu, A. N., Etwire, P. M., Fosu, M., Buah, S. S. J., Bidzakin, J., ... & Kusi, F. (2014). Fertilizer adoption and use intensity among smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana: a case study of the AGRA soil health project. Sustainable Agriculture Research, 3(1), 24-36.

https://doi.org/10.5539/sar.v3n1p24

Marty, R., Kaabinejadian, S., Rossell, D., Slifker, M. J., van de Haar, J., Engin, H. B., ... & Carter, H. (2017). MHC-I genotype restricts the oncogenic mutational landscape. Cell, 171(6), 1272-1283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2017.09.050

Marzia, M., Guaiquil, V., Horne, W. C., Blobel, C. P., Baron, R., & Chiusaroli, R. (2011). Lack of ADAM15 in mice is associated with increased osteoblast function and bone mass. Biological Chemistry, 392(10), 877-885. https://doi.org/10.1515/BC.2011.080

Mawia, H., Mburu, J., Chimoita, E., & Rutsaert, P. (2025). Understanding seed selection decisions among small-scale maize farmers in Machakos County, Kenya: the dominance of market leader varieties. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 9, 1563538.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1563538

McGuire, S., & Sperling, L. (2016). Seed systems smallholder farmers use. Food Security, 8(1), 179-195.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-015-0528-8

Mohammed, M. A., Moles, R. J., & Chen, T. F. (2016). Meta-synthesis of qualitative research: the challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 38(3), 695-704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-016-0289-2

Mwangi, M., & Kariuki, S. (2015). Factors determining adoption of new agricultural technology by smallholder farmers in developing countries. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 6(5), 208-216.

Ndeke, A. M. (2021). Gender influence on soil fertility and water management technologies uptake among smallholder farmers in Tharaka Nithi County (Doctoral dissertation, University of Embu).

Ndiritu, S. W., Kassie, M., & Shiferaw, B. (2014). Are there systematic gender differences in the adoption of sustainable agricultural intensification practices? Evidence from Kenya. Food Policy, 49, 117-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2014.06.010

Nkamleu, G. B., & Adesina, A. A. (2000). Determinants of chemical input use in peri-urban lowland systems: bivariate probit analysis in Cameroon. Agricultural Systems, 63(2), 111-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-521X(99)00074-8

Obasoro, O. A., Iwinlade, A., Popoola, O., & Adeoti, A. I. (2015). Effect of adoption of improved soybean variety on productivity of farm households in Benue State, Nigeria. Legume Genomics and Genetics, 6. https://doi.org/10.5376/lgg.2015.06.0005

Owusu-Akuoko, O. S. W. A. L. D. (2016). Analysis of constraints for the optimization of nutrient use in soybean production in smallholder agriculture in Northern Ghana (Doctoral dissertation, University of Hohenheim).

Plahar, M. A., Hung, Y. C., & McWatters, K. H. (2006). Improving the nutritional quality and maintaining consumption quality of akara using curdlan and composite flour. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 41(8), 962-972.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2005.01153.x

Prajapati, C. S., Priya, N. K., Bishnoi, S., Vishwakarma, S. K., Buvaneswari, K., Shastri, S., ... & Jadhav, A. (2025). The role of participatory approaches in modern agricultural extension: bridging knowledge gaps for sustainable farming practices. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, 47(2), 204-222. https://doi.org/10.9734/jeai/2025/v47i23281

Ragasa, C., Aberman, N. L., & Mingote, C. A. (2019). Does providing agricultural and nutrition information to both men and women improve household food security? Evidence from Malawi. Global Food Security, 20, 45-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2018.12.007

Rao, N. K., & Sastry, D. V. S. S. R. (1998). Seed quality considerations in germplasm regeneration. In Regeneration of seed crops and their wild relatives (p. 144). Bioversity International.

Rehman, A. A., & Alharthi, K. (2016). An introduction to research paradigms. International Journal of Educational Investigations, 3(8), 51-59.

Rickards, C., Marenya, P., Chiduwa, M., Eitzinger, A., Fisher, M., & Snapp, S. (2025). Enhancing farmers' agency is a more effective extension paradigm: the case of soil health management in Africa. Agricultural Systems, 225, 104267.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104267

Ricker-Gilbert, J. (2020). Inorganic fertiliser use among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa: implications for input subsidy policies. In The role of smallholder farms in food and nutrition security (pp. 81-98). Springer.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42148-9_5

Rogers, E. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.

Ronner, E., Franke, A. C., Vanlauwe, B., Dianda, M., Edeh, E., Ukem, B., ... & Giller, K. V. (2016). Understanding variability in soybean yield and response to P-fertilizer and rhizobium inoculants on farmers' fields in northern Nigeria. Field Crops Research, 186, 133-145.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2015.10.023

Sennuga, S. O., Fadiji, T. O., & Thaddeus, H. (2020). Factors influencing adoption of improved agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 6(2), 382-391.

Shakya, P. B., & Flinn, J. C. (1985). Adoption of modern varieties and fertilizer use on rice in the Eastern Tarai of Nepal. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 36(3), 409-419. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9552.1985.tb00188.x

Shea, B., Knowlton, K., & Shaman, J. (2020). Assessment of climate-health curricula at international health professions schools. JAMA Network Open, 3(5), e206609. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.6609

Shilomboleni, H., Recha, J., Radeny, M., & Osumba, J. (2023). Scaling climate resilient seed systems through SMEs in Eastern and Southern Africa: challenges and opportunities. Climate and Development, 15(3), 177-187.

https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2022.2073956

Sims, B., & Kienzle, J. (2017). Sustainable agricultural mechanization for smallholders: what is it and how can we implement it? Agriculture, 7(6), 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture7060050

Singh, H., & Montgomery, C. A. (1987). Corporate acquisition strategies and economic performance. Strategic Management Journal, 8(4), 377-386. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250080407

Tetteh, F. M., Quansah, G. W., Frempong, S. O., Nurudeen, A. R., Atakora, W. K., & Opoku, G. (2017). Optimizing fertilizer use within the context of integrated soil fertility management in Ghana. In Fertilizer use optimization in sub-Saharan Africa (pp. 67-81). CABI.

https://doi.org/10.1079/9781786392046.0067

Tonkin-Crine, S., Anthierens, S., Hood, K., Yardley, L., Cals, J. W., Francis, N. A., ... & GRACE INTRO/CHAMP Consortium. (2015). Discrepancies between qualitative and quantitative evaluation of randomized controlled trial results: achieving clarity through mixed methods triangulation. Implementation Science, 11(1), 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-016-0436-0

Wang, W., Yang, Z., Gu, X., Mugera, A., & Yin, N. (2024). How farm machinery rental services and off-farm work affect household income in China. Agriculture, 14(10), 1672. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14101672

Wilson, R. T. (2015). Soya bean Glycine max (L.) Merr. genetic resources in Tanzania, 1905-2013. African Journal of Plant Science, 9(9), 374-384. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPS2015.1338

Yussif, M. M. (2019). Social networks and integrated soil fertility management adoption: effects on maize yields and food security of farmers in Northern Region (Doctoral dissertation).

Zeweld, W., Van Huylenbroeck, G., Tesfay, G., & Speelman, S. (2019). Impacts of socio-psychological factors on smallholder farmers' risk attitudes: empirical evidence and implications. Agrekon, 58(2), 253-279. https://doi.org/10.1080/03031853.2019.1570284