EFFECTS OF PRODUCTION PARAMETERS ON RICE OUTPUT IN THE KETU NORTH DISTRICT OF THE VOLTA REGION, GHANA

This article investigated the effects of production parameters on the cultivation of rice in the Ketu North District of Ghana. Out of 1,024 farmers, 290 rice farmers were chosen to take part in the study using a two-stage sampling procedure. A structured interview schedule was used to collect primary data from 285 respondents resulting in a response rate of 93%. A translog stochastic frontier production function with a model for inefficiency effects was employed in data analysis, using the Maximum Likelihood Method. Land area under cultivation, fertilizer input, irrigation cost, and equipment were identified as the major input factors that significantly influenced yield of rice in the Ketu North District. Also, results indicated 0.642 returns to scale; which implies that an aggregate increase in inputs results in a less than proportionate increase in the yield of rice in the study area. This indicates a decreasing return to scale. The findings of this study would guide governments and civil society organisations to understand where public investments can best be directed to boost rice production in Ghana. Increased rice output would raise farmers’ income and improve their livelihood security. Also, increased output of rice will help reduce rice imports to save foreign exchange and strengthen the local currency. Finally, the findings of this study would fill the gaps in literature and contribute to knowledge.