Drivers of aquaculture adoption and disadoption: the case of pond aquaculture in Ghana

Although 80% of the entire terrestrial space of Ghana has the potential for pond aquaculture, ponds contribute only 7% of total aquaculture production due to low adoption, abandonment and low productivity. Successfully addressing these challenges requires empirical data on the dynamics of pond aquaculture adoption and disadoption. The study investigated determinants of pond aquaculture adoption and disadoption decisions in five regions of Ghana. A total of 400 farmers were selected from the five regions using multi-stage sampling. The Heckprobit model was employed for the analysis. Results from the selection equation indicate that age, gender, extension service, household size, water availability, membership of farmer-based groups, availability of suitable land and knowledge of pond aquaculture positively influenced adoption. The outcome equation also revealed that disadoption is negatively influenced by formal education, gender, extension service, household size, water availability and land ownership, while distance to the nearest commercial town, land tenure, experience and the transition zone (farm location) showed a positive correlation with disadoption. It is concluded that pond aquaculture adoption decisions are significantly driven by these social, economic and institutional variables and must be considered in policy formulation and in the design of extension services.