Evaluation of determinants for effective adoption of an improved fish processing technology in Ghana

Abstract

Surveys were conducted in three fishing communities in southern Ghana where an improved fish-smoking technology (the Chorkor Smoker) had been previously introduced. Assessment of the extent of adoption of the technology and identification of factors influencing its effective adoption were investigated. Qualitative and quantitative data derived from the use of a combination of participatory rural appraisal technique (PRA) and structured questionnaires in interviewing 51 fish' processors were reported. About 88 per cent of the respondents completely adopted the technology. Four 'main modifications were observed to have been made to the improved technology, namely reduction in the dimensions of the trays to facilitate easy handling, use of bricks instead of clay for construction, division of oven into compartments to facilitate turning of fish during smoking, and use of wooden sticks on top of the wire mesh for smoking big fishes so as to prevent 'net-marks' on the fishes. Benefits derived from adoption of the improved technology included lessening of drudgery of fish-smoking activity, reduction in smoking nuisance, better quality of fish, increase in smoking capacity, and fuel efficiency. Despite the numerous advantages, the processors encountered some problems. These included heaviness of trays, cost of maintenance, rusting of equipment during off-season, as well as non-availability and/or high cost of input. The key limiting factors for effective adoption of the improved technology included lack of finance or credit, high cost and non-availability of inputs, market and consumer acceptability, and ability for group formation