FARMERS’ WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR WEATHER FORECAST INFORMATION IN SAVELUGU-NANTON MUNICIPALITY OF THE NORTHERN REGION

In the quest for farmers to get maximum output and improve their livelihood within the major constraint of depending on rain-fed agriculture, the issue of having access to weather forecast information is very important. A contingent valuation method was used to elicit the amount farmers are willing to pay for accessing unpriced weather forecast information in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality of the Northern Region. Farmers were also asked to rank weather forecast variables according to their level of importance. An open ended stated preference approach was employed. The study also used multivariate regression model to identify the factors which significantly affect the amount farmers are willing to pay for weather forecast information. Chance of rain was considered the most important weather forecast information required by farmers. The study found out that farmers on the average are willing to pay an amount of GH¢41.20 annually for weather forecast information. The study revealed that age, sex, farm size and on-farm income significantly and positively affect the amount farmers are willing to pay for weather forecast information. Weather forecast information delivery should therefore be a key factor in all agriculture policy discussions in enhancing farm risk management. Government and investors could also increase their revenue base by expanding and providing weather information to farmers for a fee.