Accessibility and agricultural development in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

Abstract

Using a cross sectional framework of analysis, data was collected from 491 smallholders in 33 villages in Ashanti Region located between 8 and 102km from the Regional capital, Kumasi. By comparing a range of development parameters and the transport costs of moving farm produce between each village and Kumasi (and also between each village and their respective district centres) the link between accessibility and agricultural development was investigated. The study supports the view that when a road investment brings about only a small change in transport costs and market prices (eg. when earth roads or tracks are upgraded), then little impact on agricultural development may be expected.-from TRRL