Study of new technological implications to improve food productivity and security in Ghana : case insights into the use of drones in cocoa farming

Afranie, Samuel Boafo

Abstract

Since the early 1980’s, in developed countries such as Japan and the United States of America, several technological applications have been used experimentally to boost food production and enhance farming practices, especially in areas which are not geographically accessible for traditional farming practices and machineries.
One such technology which has been extensively experimented with and deployed is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which is an example of technological expertise pioneered by the military. Their growing adaptation in precision agriculture means that UAV have been used on farms in developed countries for crops grown on both small- and large land acreage for the purposes of identifying nutrient deficiencies, diseases, water and soil status, weeds, damage, and plant diagnostics.
The study focuses on the adaptation and implementation of UAV in Ghana’s cocoa farming and the position of stakeholders in terms of their acceptance, as the country is currently the world’s second largest producer and exporter of cocoa. The study applies Disruptive Innovation theory and stakeholder theory as a joint conceptual framework by which to examine how new and long-established farms create, sustain, and continuously introduce creative and novel technology in order to maximise food production while assessing stakeholders’ attitudes and roles in the implementation of innovation.
Conducted in Nkawie in the Ashanti region of Ghana, the study adopts a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews to elicit and collate the views of stakeholders on the implementation of UAV in cocoa farming in Ghana, ultimately analysing the resulting by use of NVivo software. The findings show that traditional practices and superstitious beliefs, lack of credit facilities can impede the acceptance of new innovation.
The study identifies a comprehensive pool of stakeholders in the supply chain whose input significantly influences the implementation of UAV. Other key stakeholders maintained that limited support for local drone innovator community, access to funding, and corrupt practices hinder the implementation of this technology, although general awareness of its benefit to cocoa farming cannot be disputed. Despite the difficult conditions that arose during data collection due to COVID restrictions in the study area, 36 participant agreed to participate in the study through interviews. This study makes a specific contribution to the body of literature and policy framework on the drivers and barriers of UAV adoption and implementation in emerging economies such as Ghana in the cocoa farming industry

Citation

Afranie, S. B. Study of new technological implications to improve food productivity and security in Ghana : case insights into the use of drones in cocoa farming. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4224464

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Nov 28, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 24, 2023
• Keywords: Business
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4224464
• Additional Information: Business School, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Jun 1, 2022