Factors influencing the Production of Local Rice in Ghana : The Moderating Role of Open Innovation

Abstract

<p><strong>Purpose </strong>– The study reports the factors influencing the production of local rice in Ghana with a moderating effect of open innovation to boost rice production. <br> <strong>Design/methodology/approach</strong> – This study employs a cross-sectional survey to gather the views of 250 rice farmers. A self-administered survey questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was analyzed using SmartPLS software 3.2.8.<br> <strong>Findings</strong> – The study indicates that land tenure system, inadequate infrastructure and irrigation system are the factors influencing the production of local rice in Ghana. The findings suggest<br> that all four factors have a significant and positive effect on the production of rice. The study shows that there is a direct and positive relationship between open innovation and output of rice production in Ghana. Open innovation was found to moderate the positive relationship between infrastructure and rice output. Again, the relationship between land tenure system and rice production is moderated by open innovation. Furthermore, the relationship between irrigation and rice production is moderated by open innovation.  <br> <strong>Practical implications</strong> – To improve rice production, the study therefore, recommend that, infrastructure is provided in the rice producing areas to enhance rice production by investing in the area of road networks, rice-milling equipment such as pre-cleaners, destoners that separate stones and heavy impurities from grains, hullers, polishers, paddy separators, aspirators and graders to ensure post-harvest product quality.<br>  <strong>Originality/value</strong> – These findings offer a far-reaching approach to enhance the production of local rice in Ghana, in the quest to achieve food security. Old-fashioned agricultural methods are simply not sustainable enough to achieve food security for a rapidly growing population; hence, innovation is the way to go to achieved food security by investing in the agricultural sector. </p>