Agricultural export diversification, food security and living conditions of farmers in Southern Ghana

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Increasing foreign exchange problems and declining prices of traditional export commodities in developing countries are prompting agricultural policymakers and donor agencies to diversify export crop production. In Ghana, horticultural crops like pineapples, mangoes, and papayas show promise due to their high labor intensity and growing demand in industrialized nations. This study examines the impact of non-traditional horticultural exports on food security and the livelihoods of farm households in southern Ghana through econometric and mathematical programming modeling. Findings indicate that households involved in export horticulture fare better than those who are not. However, chronically poor households face structural barriers that prevent them from capitalizing on the export boom, primarily due to limited resources and liquidity issues. The success of horticultural exports for smallholder farmers hinges on factors that either exacerbate or mitigate rural market imperfections. Key determinants include access to local institutional services, technological knowledge, policy environment, market trends, and the interplay with livelihood strategies. Policy recommendations involve establishing more export-oriented agro-processing industries, enhancing infrastructure for better input and market access, promoting farmer group formation, strengthening exporter-producer associations, and reviewing arable land distribution policies.