Encouraging non-farm work to increase agricultural commercialization in Ghana

Poverty in Ghana is generally a rural phenomenon and over 90% of rural households depend on agriculture. Government policies aim to promote agricultural development and reduce poverty by increasing farmer participation in markets and non-farm employment. However, there is little evidence to support these policies. A team of local researchers investigated the impact of rural non-farm engagement. Their results indicate that non-farm engagement improves agricultural market participation and commercialization by increasing the probability of selling crops, and the quantities sold, respectively.
Find out more about the research methods, findings and policy recommendations in the following PEP publications: