Drought-Resolved Maize Varieties and Smallholder Women Farmers in Northern Ghana: A Policy Analysis

Drought-affected regions in northern Ghana face significant challenges to agricultural productivity, particularly for smallholder women farmers who rely on maize as a staple crop. A mixed-methods approach involving surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions was employed to gather data from 120 smallholder women farmers in northern Ghana. Findings indicate that the adoption of drought-resolved maize varieties led to a 35% increase in yield among participating women farmers over three years, with significant improvements in water management practices observed. The policy analysis highlights the need for sustained agricultural extension support and improved access to seeds as key enablers for further success. Recommendations include enhancing seed supply chains, providing training on sustainable farming techniques, and integrating drought-resistant varieties into national crop improvement programmes.