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<p>There is an increasing need to promote regenerative agriculture (RA) to enhance sustainable farming among maize farmers in Ghana’s transitional zone, where environmental degradation and declining soil fertility threaten productivity. This paper assesses the relationship between knowledge and the adoption of RA and the factors that influence maize farmers’ knowledge of regenerative agriculture. The research design adopted was cross-sectional, with primary data collected from maize farmers using a structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis H-test, the Chi-square test of independence, Fisher’s exact test, and ordinary least squares regression. The findings indicate that farmers have a high knowledge of the benefits of RA, but their technical knowledge of application is low. There was a statistically significant relationship between knowledge and adoption, but the level of adoption differs significantly among practices. The results also show that years of farming experience, access to extension services, credit and household size are associated with the adoption of RA. The findings further indicate that knowledge alone is not a sufficient factor in adoption because structural and institutional constraints are significant. While context-specific, the findings offer transferable insights for smallholder agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa and other dryland regions facing similar knowledge-adoption gaps. The study concludes that the gap between knowledge and practice can only be bridged by an integrated approach that incorporates both capacity building and institutional support. The paper recommends enhancing extension systems by introducing hands-on training, increasing farmers’ access to financial resources, and leveraging digital technologies and farmer networks to improve knowledge dissemination. The paper adds to the body of literature by presenting empirical evidence on the nexus between knowledge and adoption in the context of regenerative agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, and providing policy-relevant information to design specific interventions to facilitate sustainable agricultural change. The findings contribute to the evidence base for advancing Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land) in smallholder agricultural systems. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.</p>

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Knowledge is necessary but not sufficient: drivers of knowledge of regenerative agriculture among maize farmers in Ghana

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月2日

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  • Fred Ankuyi,
  • Ernest Laryea Okorley,
  • Fatimah Von Abubakari,
  • Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum

摘要

There is an increasing need to promote regenerative agriculture (RA) to enhance sustainable farming among maize farmers in Ghana’s transitional zone, where environmental degradation and declining soil fertility threaten productivity. This paper assesses the relationship between knowledge and the adoption of RA and the factors that influence maize farmers’ knowledge of regenerative agriculture. The research design adopted was cross-sectional, with primary data collected from maize farmers using a structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis H-test, the Chi-square test of independence, Fisher’s exact test, and ordinary least squares regression. The findings indicate that farmers have a high knowledge of the benefits of RA, but their technical knowledge of application is low. There was a statistically significant relationship between knowledge and adoption, but the level of adoption differs significantly among practices. The results also show that years of farming experience, access to extension services, credit and household size are associated with the adoption of RA. The findings further indicate that knowledge alone is not a sufficient factor in adoption because structural and institutional constraints are significant. While context-specific, the findings offer transferable insights for smallholder agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa and other dryland regions facing similar knowledge-adoption gaps. The study concludes that the gap between knowledge and practice can only be bridged by an integrated approach that incorporates both capacity building and institutional support. The paper recommends enhancing extension systems by introducing hands-on training, increasing farmers’ access to financial resources, and leveraging digital technologies and farmer networks to improve knowledge dissemination. The paper adds to the body of literature by presenting empirical evidence on the nexus between knowledge and adoption in the context of regenerative agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, and providing policy-relevant information to design specific interventions to facilitate sustainable agricultural change. The findings contribute to the evidence base for advancing Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land) in smallholder agricultural systems. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.