Adoption of improved white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) varieties in Ghana: The role of farm and farmer characteristics

Yams (Dioscorea spp) in Ghana are important food staples and the most non-traditional export crop contributing to foreign exchange incomes of smallholder producers. Research development over years produced release three improved Dioscorea rotundata varieties 2005. However, adoptions these have been very low. Using cross-sectional data from 544 randomly selected yam farmers employing logit model, farm farmer characteristics that influence adoption were assessed. Results revealed awareness level at 50% low rate about 6%. Factors found significantly awareness, education, distance extension access. The study suggests need create more education on order sensitize encourage adoption. There is also improve research linkage system enable technology knowledge transfer staff for easy diffusion farmers.