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Although 80% of the entire terrestrial space of Ghana has the potential for pond aquaculture, ponds contribute only 7% of total aquaculture production due to low adoption, abandonment and low productivity. Successfully addressing these challenges requires empirical data on the dynamics of pond aquaculture adoption and disadoption. The study investigated determinants of pond aquaculture adoption and disadoption decisions in five regions of Ghana. A total of 400 farmers were selected from the five regions using multi-stage sampling. The Heckprobit model was employed for the analysis. Results from the selection equation indicate that age, gender, extension service, household size, water availability, membership of farmer-based groups, availability of suitable land and knowledge of pond aquaculture positively influenced adoption. The outcome equation also revealed that disadoption is negatively influenced by formal education, gender, extension service, household size, water availability and land ownership, while distance to the nearest commercial town, land tenure, experience and the transition zone (farm location) showed a positive correlation with disadoption. It is concluded that pond aquaculture adoption decisions are significantly driven by these social, economic and institutional variables and must be considered in policy formulation and in the design of extension services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ponds contribute just about 7% to Ghana's total aquaculture production. This is partly attributable to low rate of adoption, small holdings and low adoption intensity. Thus, this study generates empirical data on determinants of pond aquaculture adoption intensity among farmers in the study area. A total of 356 respondents were selected from five regions of Ghana using multi-stage sampling. A Two-Stage Heckman regression revealed that adoption and intensity of adoption are positively influenced by gender, extension service, membership of farmer-based group, knowledge of pond aquaculture, fish price and freehold land while the transition ecological zone of Ghana showed a negative relationship with both adoption and intensity (farm size). A Poisson regression showed that adoption intensity (by number of management innovations) is significantly and positively influenced by education, income, extension service, membership of a farmer group, labour and total pond area but negatively correlated with household size and distance from farm to nearest commercial town. The average adoption level of management innovations is 50% with water quality management innovations being the least adopted. We recommend policy interventions to facilitate: increased extension contacts (especially in the transition zone of Ghana); promotion of pond farmers associations; adoption of more management innovations; institutional support in the areas of awareness, capacity building, financing (e.g. "smart subsidies"), and easy access to suitable land and inputs to accelerate the participation of more women and the youth in pond aquaculture. • The adoption of pond aquaculture management innovations among pond fish farmers in Ghana is at an average level (50%). • Water quality management innovations were least adopted among pond fish farmers in Ghana. • Adoption of pond aquaculture and its intensity is better in the forest agro-ecological zone than the transition zone. • Adoption and intensity (by farm size and number of management innovations) are influenced by socio-economic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]