Agricultural input supply system and contract on nudging the adoption intensity of climate-smart agriculture in Ghana

The negative externalities of climate change (CC) on agricultural production require an intensity of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices adoption as a result. However, the adoption rate is low in the Global South, particularly in the SSA countries such as Ghana. This study analysed factors in nudging the adoption intensity of CSA practices among rural farmers in Ghana. Employing a multistage sampling technique, the administrative regions of Ghana were first stratified into two main zones (North and South Zones). Four districts were selected from the two main stratification zones. A total sample of 610 was used. Our study adopted the quasi-experimental design with the use of treated and control groups. The Poisson Regression analyses were employed. The study found that those who (i) were committed to pre-planting contract inputs adopted more CSA practices than their counterparts; (ii) had buyer contract inputs adopted more CSA practices than their counterparts; (iii) paid for agricultural inputs after harvest inputs adopted more CSA practices than their counterparts; and (iv) preferred supply of small agricultural inputs to large inputs adopted more CSA practices than their counterparts. Therefore, policymakers should consider the capacity-building requirements for farmers to effectively manage input payment after harvest arrangements and contract negotiations.