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Improving productivity among smallholder farmers in Ghana: does financial inclusion matter?

James Atta Peprah (University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana)
Isaac Koomson (University of New England, Armidale, Australia)
Joshua Sebu (University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana)
Chei Bukari (University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana)

Agricultural Finance Review

ISSN: 0002-1466

Article publication date: 15 December 2020

Issue publication date: 8 July 2021

766

Abstract

Purpose

Does financial inclusion matter for productivity among smallholder farmers? The authors answer this question by using the sixth and seventh rounds of the Ghana Living Standard Survey to examine the extent to which financial inclusion affects productivity among smallholder farmers in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a pooled data of the 6th and 7th rounds of the Ghana Living Standard Survey which are national representative data. The authors model an Instrumental Variable (IV) to correct for endogeneity in financial inclusion and a dominance analysis to examine the effects of access to credit, ownership of savings account and insurance product on farmers' productivity.

Findings

Results from the study indicate that financial inclusion significantly enhances productivity. Moreover, credit, savings and insurance products influence productivity at various degrees. Thus, expanding the scope of financial services (access to credit, savings and insurance) among smallholder farmers is crucial for inclusive finance and sustainable agricultural production.

Practical implications

The findings of the study have implications for financial institutions in the design of financial products that the meet the needs of smallholder farmers.

Originality/value

Several studies have looked at how access to credit influences agricultural productivity in Africa. However, in recent times financial inclusion has been advocated for because it goes beyond mere access to credit. This paper to the best of our knowledge is the first of its kind to examine how financial inclusion could affect agricultural productivity in Ghana.

Keywords

Citation

Peprah, J.A., Koomson, I., Sebu, J. and Bukari, C. (2021), "Improving productivity among smallholder farmers in Ghana: does financial inclusion matter?", Agricultural Finance Review, Vol. 81 No. 4, pp. 481-502. https://doi.org/10.1108/AFR-12-2019-0132

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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