ISSN 2375-1177
African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN: 2375-1177 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 161-166, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Optimal resource allocation decision among women farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana
Kwaku Dei ANTWI
Texas Tech University, Lubbock-Texas, United States.E-mail:[email protected]; [email protected]. Tel. +18067309167.
Accepted 04 February, 2016
Abstract
Food insecurity has been found to be high among households headed by female farmers in the northern region of Ghana as a result of poor access to agricultural resources. One approach to improve food insecurity is through increased on-farm income of women farmers through profit maximization. Hence this study was designed to determine the optimal farm plan that increases on-farm income among women farmers to ensure improved food security. A sample of 512 women farmers were randomly selected using simple random sampling technique for the study. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and linear programming model. The study revealed that available resources were not efficiently allocated under the existing farm plan which led to over-allocation of capital and labor by 9.6% and 13% respectively. The study further showed a 13.6% increase in on-farm income by the optimal farm plan. Policy makers should develop and implement policies that emphasize and encourage optimal allocation of the limited resources available to women farmer to increase their income levels for improved food security.
Key words: Food security, Linear programming, women farmers, optimal plan.