Livelihood diversification and food security of maize-growing households in techiman municipality of Ghana

Abstract

Agricultural growth alone cannot end hunger in sub-Saharan Africa. Livelihood diversification combining on-farm and off-farm income sources may strengthen household food security. This study examines diversification among maize farmers in Techiman Municipality, Ghana, using primary data from 392 farmers selected via multi-stage sampling. We estimate a probit model for determinants of diversification and use a doubly-robust inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) to assess effects on food security measured by the nine-item Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The study found that 75% of farmers diversify on-farm and 26% off-farm. Marital status, farming experience, access to credit, farmer-based organisation (FBO) membership, and maize income increase the probability of high diversification, while farm ownership decreases it. Diversification is associated with lower food insecurity: the HFIAS mean falls from 5.22 (low diversification) to 2.14 (high diversification) (ATET = − 3.08; p < 0.01). The study recommends implementing a smart input-credit scale under PFJ 2.0 through FBOs, tying working capital to petty trade, agro-processing, and livestock modules, utilizing GIRSAL guarantees to de-risk rural credit, and embedding short skills courses (pricing, bookkeeping, food hygiene) with market-linkage contracts. These actions can accelerate Ghana’s progress towards SDG 2 while operationalising Agenda for Jobs II (2022–2025).