Welfare Effects of the Production of Indigenous Food Crops in Farming Communities in the Northern Region of Ghana

Aims: Maintaining diverse diets through diversified farming systems presents opportunities for better nutrition and greater health status for peasant families in rural communities around the globe. This study explores the welfare effects of the adoption of indigenous food crops by farming communities in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Study Design: The study followed a multi-stage sampling procedure and utilized primary data collected.

Methodology: Using a standard treatment effect estimation approach, the study examined the effect of the production of indigenous food crops on household dietary diversity using primary data collected from 405 households in farming communities in Ghana’s Northern Region for the 2016/17 crop season.

Results: Descriptive results reveal a mean dietary diversity score of 8.5 for producer households which is significantly different from the score of 6.2 for non-producer households. Also, the results show a high proportion of indigenous crop-producing households in the medium and high dietary diversity scores compared to non-producing households. Empirical results reveal a positive and significant impact of the production of indigenous food crops on household dietary diversity. The study also finds that household head education, non-farm work, livestock ownership, age and number of children have a positive effect on household dietary diversity.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the production of indigenous food crops promotes the consumption of diverse foods among farm families and recommends that policies aimed at diverse food consumption and improved nutrition security among rural farming communities should consider promoting increased production of indigenous food crops.