Unlocking the potential of contract farming: lessons from Ghana

C. Kudadjie-Freeman, P. Richards, P.C. Struik

Research output: Book/ReportReportProfessional

Abstract

This paper analyses sorghum contract farming in north-east Ghana in order to explore ways of making such arrangements viable for small farmers. The analysis draws on the convergence of sciences approach, which sees both science and social relations (interactions among the relevant stakeholders) as important for developing small farmer-relevant agricultural innovations (technology, procedures, new forms of organisation). The study reveals that the failure and problems encountered in this particular contracting scheme were both technical and institutional. The technical issues were a combination of pest problems, the environment and the sorghum variety chosen. The institutional issues involved the contractual arrangements and relations between the contracting parties. The authors argue that if contracts are to be fair, they must allow for compensation, contingencies and production risks. But scientific knowledge is required in order to adequately incorporate these elements.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherIIED
Number of pages20
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Publication series

NameGatekeeper series
PublisherIIED
No.139
ISSN (Print)1357-9258

Keywords

  • contract farming
  • farmers
  • small farms
  • innovations
  • innovation adoption
  • sorghum
  • agricultural development
  • farmers' associations
  • knowledge
  • ghana
  • west africa
  • farmers' knowledge

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