Abstract

This study assesses contract farming effect on the well-being of yam farmers in the Mion district of the Northern region of Ghana. Through descriptive survey design 400 smallholder farmers in the district were surveyed with interviews and focus group discussion used to collect data from the sampled farmers. Descriptive statistics, factors analysis and Propensity Scores Matching were used to analyze the data. The propensity scores matching result indicates that farmers who participated in contract farming were more productive compared with non-participants. Participation in contract farming was found to have positive and significant effect on yam farmers’ perceived well-being. In comparison with non-participants, yam farmers who participated in contract farming perceived themselves to have better wellbeing in terms of increased income, improved access to health and nutrition, improved food security, reduced poverty, reduced vulnerability, ability to pay for ward education and physical assets ownership. It is recommended that the MOFA and the District Assembly should facilitate farmers’ access to contract farming schemes and other financial services to help farmers improve their productivity and better wellbeing.

Key words: Contract farming, yam farming, northern region, yam productivity, agricultural financing.