Determinants of Form of Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Agriculture: The Case of Disabled Farmers in the Savelugu/Nanton Municipality

Abstract

Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) role in agriculture has long been acknowledged worldwide, but it is yet to receive commensurate research and policy attention in Ghana. As such, very little empirical information on PWDs role in agriculture is available to guide agricultural policy formulation and implementation. In response, this article reports the results of a research examining the forms of participation of PWDs in agriculture among disabled farmers in the Savelugu/Nanton Municipality. Descriptive survey design was employed in collecting mainly primary data from disabled farmers across the Municipality. From the list of PWDs in the Municipality, a multi-stage sampling technique, starting from stratified random sampling to simple random sampling was employed in sampling 156 disabled farmers. The primary data obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with probit regression applied in identifying determinants of form of participation of PWDs in agriculture. Information obtained from the analysis reveals two main forms of participation of PWDs in agriculture as ‘participation through labour contribution’ and ‘participation through decision’. The study also reveals that extension services provided by the Municipal Department of Agriculture does not address the peculiar needs of disabled farmers. Age, sex, education, household size, access to labour, membership of Farmer Based Organisations, power in household decision making and farm size were significant determinants of disabled farmers’ effective participation in agriculture. The study recommends the mainstreaming of concerns of PWDs in agriculture in order to ensure all-inclusive and disability sensitive agricultural services provision in Ghana.