Evaluating the effects of sustainable intensification practices in smallholder farming systems: A case study of the Nabdam district, Ghana

Abstract

The impact of sustainable intensification (SI) on food security in the developing world is substantial and cannot be overstated. The study was anchored on the theory of planned behaviour and the diffusion of innovation. This study contributes to the field by examining the effects of SI practices in smallholder farming systems in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region of Ghana. A concurrent mixed-methods approach was employed, with primary data collected through self-administered questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, and direct on-farm observations. A total of 384 respondents were selected from 2,535 households for the survey using a simple random sampling technique. Two focus group discussions were held in each selected community alongside nine key informants. The quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS VERSION 27). The qualitative data were gathered via tape recordings and coded into themes and content for analysis. The findings indicate that awareness of SI alone is insufficient to generate meaningful outcomes. Effective and sustained intensification requires adequate technical knowledge, practical skills, and institutional support. Gendered differences in SI adoption were observed, with men primarily engaging in land-intensive practices (61%). At the same time, women relied on labour- and knowledge-intensive approaches (62%), often supported by credit and extension services. Moreover, educated smallholder farmers were more likely to adopt SI practices than their uneducated counterparts. The study further demonstrates that adopters of sustainable intensification experience higher yields and increased income (β = 0.365, t = 9.184, p < .001) compared to non-adopters. Based on these results, the study concludes that, with sufficient institutional support, technical capabilities, and knowledge, sustainable intensification can substantially enhance smallholder farmers' livelihoods and food security. Enhancing adoption requires bolstering extension services, expanding credit availability, and encouraging gender-responsive interventions to maximise productivity and income gains.