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<p>Declining soil fertility undermines the food security in Ghana, and the high cost of inorganic fertilizers highlights the need for affordable alternatives to enhance soil fertility in a smallholder context. While biochar has been widely promoted in the policy arena as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, research is lacking in terms of its perceived benefits and acceptability at the farm level. The study assessed farmers’ perceptions and acceptability of biochar as a soil amendment in the Tolon District of Ghana, surveying 384 subsistence farming households. The perception index (PI) model was used to determine farmers’ perceptions and acceptability of biochar as a soil amendment, while the probit regression model was employed to estimate the socio-economic determinants of farmers’ willingness to accept biochar as a soil amendment. The findings indicate that majority of farmers were willing to accept biochar as a soil amendment (83.33%) and 16.67% were not willing to accept the technology. The findings from the perception index model further indicate that farmers strongly agreed with all statements regarding the district’s perception of biochar as a soil amendment. The most dominant perceptions held by farmers were that biochar application was eco-friendly and increased crop yield. These perceptions ranked 1st and 2nd with mean perception indices (PIs) of 4.08 and 4.04 respectively. The findings from the probit regression model further indicate that the acceptability of biochar as a soil amendment by farmers is strongly influenced by educational level (<i>p</i> = 0.000) and farming experience (<i>p</i> = 0.000) of the household head, access to extension services (<i>p</i> = 0.000), membership in farmer groups (<i>p</i> = 0.000), access to biochar (<i>p</i> = 0.000) and access to credit (<i>p</i> = 0.000). To promote biochar acceptance, the study recommends strengthening extension services and farmers training programs. Additionally, extension services should address negative perceptions among smallholder farmers using practical and hands-on techniques.</p>

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Farmers’ perceptions and acceptability of Biochar as a soil amendment in the Tolon district of Ghana

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月22日

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  • Ammal Abukari,
  • Ishmael Hashmiu,
  • James Kaba Seutra,
  • Akwasi Adutwum Abunyewa,
  • Olivia Agbenyega

摘要

Declining soil fertility undermines the food security in Ghana, and the high cost of inorganic fertilizers highlights the need for affordable alternatives to enhance soil fertility in a smallholder context. While biochar has been widely promoted in the policy arena as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, research is lacking in terms of its perceived benefits and acceptability at the farm level. The study assessed farmers’ perceptions and acceptability of biochar as a soil amendment in the Tolon District of Ghana, surveying 384 subsistence farming households. The perception index (PI) model was used to determine farmers’ perceptions and acceptability of biochar as a soil amendment, while the probit regression model was employed to estimate the socio-economic determinants of farmers’ willingness to accept biochar as a soil amendment. The findings indicate that majority of farmers were willing to accept biochar as a soil amendment (83.33%) and 16.67% were not willing to accept the technology. The findings from the perception index model further indicate that farmers strongly agreed with all statements regarding the district’s perception of biochar as a soil amendment. The most dominant perceptions held by farmers were that biochar application was eco-friendly and increased crop yield. These perceptions ranked 1st and 2nd with mean perception indices (PIs) of 4.08 and 4.04 respectively. The findings from the probit regression model further indicate that the acceptability of biochar as a soil amendment by farmers is strongly influenced by educational level (p = 0.000) and farming experience (p = 0.000) of the household head, access to extension services (p = 0.000), membership in farmer groups (p = 0.000), access to biochar (p = 0.000) and access to credit (p = 0.000). To promote biochar acceptance, the study recommends strengthening extension services and farmers training programs. Additionally, extension services should address negative perceptions among smallholder farmers using practical and hands-on techniques.