African Human Development (Interdisciplinary - | 05 April 2000
Technological Adaptation in Traditional Farming by Landless Laborers in Ghana's Central Plains
K, o, f, i, K, w, e, s, i, M, e, n, s, a, h
Abstract
Traditional farming in Ghana’s Central Plains has been practiced for generations, but with increasing population pressure and limited land availability, many farmers have turned to modern agricultural practices. This analysis utilizes qualitative interviews with local farmers and secondary data from government agricultural records to explore technological adaptation trends in traditional farming methods. Interviews revealed that while some laborers adopted mechanized tools for planting and harvesting, others faced difficulties due to the high initial costs, leading to uneven adoption rates across different communities. Crop varieties resistant to pests were more readily accepted as they provided higher yields and reduced reliance on chemical pesticides. The findings suggest that a combination of government subsidies and community-based training programmes could facilitate broader technological adaptation in traditional farming practices among landless laborers. Policy recommendations include the implementation of targeted subsidies for mechanized tools, promotion of pest-resistant crop varieties through public-private partnerships, and establishment of farmer cooperatives to share resources and knowledge effectively.