We invite you to attend the doctoral dissertation defence of Emmanuel Tetteh Jumpah focusing on sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods, and the future of smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa, with the title “Has the promotion of sustainable intensification technologies made small farmers more sustainable and viable? The case of northern Ghana” (Department of Economics and Development, Sustainable Rural Development). Come and learn how sustainable farming technologies influence agricultural productivity, labour demands, and the long-term viability of smallholder farms in Ghana. Thesis defence will take place on 29th May 2026, 09:30 a.m., meeting room 401 (building FTZ).
This dissertation examines the adoption and impacts of sustainable intensification (SI) technologies among smallholder farmers in northern Ghana. The study analyses how gender, agroecological conditions, and institutional factors influence the adoption of SI practices promoted under the Africa RISING programme. Using probit, logit, ordinary least squares, and instrumental variable models, the research evaluates the effects of SI adoption on farm productivity, income, and labour demand. The findings show that adoption patterns and outcomes are highly heterogeneous across households and agroecological zones. While some SI practices improve yields and incomes, labour-intensive technologies such as row planting may increase household labour burdens, raising concerns about long-term sustainability and farm viability. The dissertation contributes to the literature by integrating economic, behavioural, and agroecological perspectives to provide policy-relevant insights for sustainable agricultural transformation in sub-Saharan Africa.
We warmly invite faculty members, students, and the public to join this defence.