Vol. 2009 No. 1 (2009)
E-commerce Platforms and Food Security in Rural Ghana: Adoption Rates, Market Share Growth, and Agricultural Output Changes,
Abstract
This study examines the impact of e-commerce platforms on food security in rural Ghana by analysing adoption rates, market share growth, and changes in agricultural output over a one-year period. Qualitative research methods were employed through semi-structured interviews with farmers, focus group discussions, and observations at agricultural markets in rural Ghana. Data analysis focused on thematic coding of interview transcripts and field notes. A significant proportion (60%) of interviewed farmers reported increased market share for their products due to e-commerce platforms. Notably, maize yields improved by an average of 25% within the study period. The findings suggest that e-commerce platforms have facilitated greater access to markets and resources for rural farmers in Ghana, leading to improvements in food security outcomes. Government policies should support e-commerce infrastructure development to ensure broader benefits reach all rural communities. Agricultural extension services need to be equipped with training on digital marketing strategies.
Read the Full Article
The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.