Prof. Freda Elikplim Asem

Associate Professor

Contact info fasem@ug.edu.gh

About

Profile

Prof. Freda Elikplim Asem is an Associate Professor at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. She holds a PhD in Development Studies from University of Ghana, an MSc. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and a BSc. in Agricultural Economics from University of Ghana, Legon. Freda is also the West Africa Regional Hub Coordinator for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture at UC Davis.

Prof. Asem is an agricultural economist by training and a researcher with over 20 years of experience in the agricultural sector. Her research focuses on agricultural marketing, agribusiness, agrifood systems and agricultural value chain analyses and their implications for improving the livelihoods of all value chain actors; most importantly smallholder farmers.

Education

 BSc. (Ghana), MSc. (Canada), PhD. (Ghana)

Research Interest

My research interests include agribusiness with focus on marketing and agricultural value chains, agricultural development and welfare of smallholder farmers.

Current research/project(s)
Value Chain Analyses and Climate Variability of Sustainable Crop and Fish Farming in Ghana.  The overall objective of the project is to support the efforts in ensuring efficient and sustainable agriculture efforts to alleviate poverty and improve the income of all actors in agricultural value chains by carrying out detailed value chain analyses, strengthening existing farmer based organizations and establishing an agribusiness incubation centre.

Publications

Journal Articles

  1. Asem, F.E., Amissah, J.N and Ouedraogo, A. (2026). Determinants of purchasing indigenous fruits and vegetables in Niger and Burkina Faso. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 10:1666484. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.1666484
  2. Ussif, Abdul-Aziz S., Jatoe, J. B. and Asem, F. (2026). Access to credit, rice productivity and farmers’ welfare in Ghana: a conditional mixed process approach. Agricultural Finance Review
  3. Kondo E, Asem, F.E., Osei-Asare, Y. and  Mensah-Bonsu, A. (2026) Spatial dependence and spillover effects in crop diversification practices: farm household level evidence from Ghana. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 10:1759867. doi:10.3389/fsufs.2026.1759867
  4. Odame, D.- costa A., Asem, F. E., Nyagsi, M. H, Otokunor, P. B., & Onumah, E. E. (2026). Implication of educational reforms on agrarian labour: The case of free SHS on maize farms in Ghana. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 16(1), 14–25. 10.55493/5005.v16i1.5850
  5. Ayertey, D., F. E. Asem, C. Y. Okyere, & D. Enahoro (2026). Effects of biosecurity strategies on technical efficiency of egg production in Bono Region of Ghana. Poultry Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2026.106442
  6. Adjei M.Y.B., Oduro, A.F., Amissah, J.G.N., Aboagye, C.W., Addo-Preko, E., Tagoe. B.N.D., Asem. F.E. and Amissah. J.N. (2026). Integrative review on the use of sensory evaluation methods in consumer-led product development for indigenous fruits and vegetables. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 9:1657001. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1657001
  7. Nyaku, S.T., F. G. Attoesi, B. Agamah, N. Deribaa, E. Cornelius, M. Yaakwah-Blay, D. Ankrah, F. Asem, H. Vigbedor, C.A.K.Oti-Kyem, A. A. Okpon, T. Pirzada, C. H. Opperman, A. Tchabi, R., H. Guenther, S. Khan and LokendraPal (2026) “Wrap and Plant” Seed Treatment: A Sustainable Management Practice for Yield Improvement and Storability of Yam Against Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Ghana.International Journal of Agronomy Volume 2026, Article ID 5322457, 11 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/ioa/5322457
  8. Amissah, J. N., Asem, F. E., Hodey, L.,Kolog, J. D., and Amissah, J. G. N. (2025). Gender and Geography of the Perception and Consumption Patterns of Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables in Ghana. Food Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal ISSN: 2160-1933 (Print), ISSN: 2160-1941 (Online) https://doi.org/10.18848/2160-1933/CGP/A224
  9. Asem, F. E., Amissah, J. N., Hodey, L., Kolog, J. D., and Amissah, J. G. N. (2025). Choice of Market Participation Channels for Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables Producers in Ghana. Food Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal. ISSN: 2160-1933 (Print), ISSN: 2160-1941 (Online) https://doi.org/10.18848/2160-1933/CGP/A222. 
  10. Amissah, J.G.N, Adjei M.Y.B, Amissah, J.N, Asem F.E. and Kolog, J.D. (2025). Processing, preservation, and value addition of indigenous food crops in West Africa. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 9:1657056. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1657056.
  11. Gregerson, K., K. B. Aalia, A. Jarman, F. E. Asem (2025). The State of Investments in Fruit & Vegetables: A Global Report. Sowing the Seeds for a Colorful Revolution in Food Systems. Responsible Innovations. https://responsibleinnovations.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/StateofInvestmentsinFVs_GlobalReport.pdf
  12. Kondo, E., F. E. Asem, Y. Osei-Asare, A. Mensah- Bonsu, E. E. Onumah, S. Ofori, D. Marri, F. Dompae & M. Osae (2025). Economic and behavioural effects of farmers’ adoption of integrated pest management practices in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. NJAS: Impact in Agricultural and Life Sciences 2025, Vol. 97, No. 1, 2534478 https://Doi.Org/10.1080/27685241.2025.2534478
  13. Asem, F. E., A. Mensah-Bonsu, I. Susana Egyir, E. Adom, R. Aawulenaa (2025). Green business practices among women business operators in selected regions in Ghana: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 389,2025,126192, ISSN 0301 4797, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126192.
  14. Asem, F. E., S. Ayeduvor, F. K. Saalia, M. Steiner- Asiedu, N. S. Affrifah, A. Parry-Hanson Kunadu, & E. Essien. (2025) Nutrition-sensitive value-chain development in Ghana: evidence from the field. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 11:1, 2477189, DOI: 10.1080/23311932.2025.2477189
  15. Akolgo, J. A., Y. B. Osei-Asare, D. B. Sarpong, F. E. Asem & W. Quaye (2025). Production risk and technical efficiency of dry-season vegetable farmers in the Upper East Region of Ghana. PloS One 20 (2), e0309375
  16. Asem, F. E., S. T. Nyaku, Kolog, J. D., Yaakwah-Blay, M., Ankrah, D., &  Opperman, C. H. (2024). Profitability of Yam Production under Farmer Practice, Abamectin Treatment and Banana Paper Techniques in Ghana. Cogent Food and Agriculture.
  17. Iddrisu, S. N., A. Mensah-Bonsu, I.S. Egyir, F. E. Asem & S. Ji (2024). Analysis of Mushroom Consumption and its determinants in Ghana. Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development. 3(73) 2024, 345-356.
  18. Kolog, J. D., F. E. Asem, A. Mensa-Bonsu & R. A. Atinga (2024). Determinants of livelihood diversification in an integrated agricultural and non–agricultural livelihood system in Ghana. Scientific African 26 (2024) e02413: 1-12.
  19. Jacqueline Naalamle Amissah, J. A., F. Opoku-Agyemang, F. E. Asem, D. Osei-Safo & I. Addae-Mensah (2024) “Increasing the planting density of Cryptolepis  sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt increased root biomass and cryptolepine yield” Heliyon 10 (2024) e30932.
  20. Onumah, E. E., F. E. Asem, M. Dogbey (2024). Gendered perception and factors influencing the choice of innovation in the fisheries sector: A case of southern Ghana. Ocean and Coastal Management 252 (2024) 107103.
  21. Akolgo, J.A., Y.B. Osei-Asare, D.B. Sarpong, F.E. Asem & W. Quaye (2024). Examining the Nexus between Dry Season Vegetable Production and Household Food Security in the Upper East Region of Ghana. International Journal of Food & Agricultural Economics ISSN 2147-8988, E-ISSN: 2149-3766. Vol 12, No. 1, 2024, pp 75-95. 
  22. Afriyie, E., M. Zurek, F. E. Asem, B. Okpattah, J. K. Ahiakpa, & Y-G. Zhu (2023). Consumer food storage practices and methods at the household-level: a community study in Ghana. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2023. DOI 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1194321
  23. Yiran, G. A. B, A. D. Ablo, & F. E. Asem (2023). Is mango farming sustainable? An integrated analysis of remote sensing techniques and smallholder farmers’ perception in mango farming communities in Ghana. Ghana Social Science Journal 2023, Vol.20 (1): 51–68.
  24. Onumah, E. E, M. J. Dogbey, & F. E. Asem (2023). Impact analysis of innovation and gendered constraints in the fisheries sector of southern Ghana. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, DOI:1080/20421338.2023.2218772
  25. Kolog, J. D., F. E. Asem, & Mensa-Bonsu, A. (2023). The state of food security and its determinants in Ghana. An ordered probit analysis of the household hunger scale and household food insecurity access scale. Scientific African,19, 2468-2276.
  26. Afriyie, E., F. Gatzweiler, M. Zurek, F. E. Asem, J. K. Ahiakpa, B. Okpattah, E. K. Aidoo & Y.G. Zhu. (2022). Determinants of Household-Level Food Storage Practices and Outcomes on Food Safety and Security in Accra, Ghana. Foods 2022, 11, 3266. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11203266 
  27. Chakuri, D., F.E. Asem & E. E. Onumah (2022) Bayesian Technical Efficiency Analysis of Groundnut Production in Ghana. Cogent Economics and Finance 2022, Vol. 10, No. 1 https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2022.2074627 
  28. Ofori-Appiah, Y., E. E. Onumah & F. E. Asem (2021). Efficiency and productivity analysis of pineapple farmers in the Akwapim-South District of Ghana: A distance function approach, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2020.1857544
  29. Yiran, G.A,  A. Ablo, F. E. Asem (2020) “Urbanisation and Domestic energy trends: Analysis of household energy consumption patterns in relation land-use change in Peri-urban Accra, Ghana” Land Use Policy 99 (2020)
  30. Yiran, G.A,  A. Ablo, F. E. Asem & G. Owusu (2020). Urban Sprawl in sub-Saharan Africa: A review of the literature in selected countries. Ghana Journal of Geography Vol. 12  No. 1 pp 1-28.
  31. Kuwornu, J.K.M. and F. E. Asem. (2012). “Effect of Regulatory Environment on the Efficiency of Agricultural Marketing Co-Operatives in Canada” International Journal of Current Research. Vol. 4, Issue, 02, pp.236-243.

Book Chapters

  1. Ablo, A. D., F. E. Asem, G. A. B. Yiran, and G. Owusu (2020). Urban Sprawl, Land    Use Change and the Changing Rural Agrarian Livelihood in Peri-Urban Accra,    Ghana. Book Chapter in “Rural-Urban Linkages and Sustainable Development: Case Studies from Africa. Edited by Farai Kapfudzaruwa, Shogo Kudo, Kanako Matsuyama and Doreen Ingosan Allasiw. Spears Media Press LLC, Denver, Colorado.
  2. Goddard, E., G. Hailu and F. E. Glover. (2012). “Striking a Balance: Lilydale Poultry Co-operative”. Book Chapter in “A Co-operative Dilemma: Converting Organizational Form”. Edited by Jorge Sousa and Roger Herman. Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, University of Saskatchewan. Canada.

Working Papers

  1. Osei, R. D., F. E. Asem and G. Domfe. (2013). “The Political Economy Dimensions of Macroeconomic Management of Aid in Ghana” World Institute for Development Economics Research (WIDER) Working Paper No. 2013/106, October, 2013.
  2. Asem, F. E., M. Busse, R. Osei, and M. Silberberger. (2013). “Private Sector Development and Governance in Ghana” International Growth Centre (IGC) Working Paper, April 2013.
  3. Osei, D. R. Gertrude, A., Asem, F. E., Afutu-Kotey, R.L. (2009) ‘Effects of Capitation Grant on Education Outcomes in Ghana’. Global Development Network Working Paper No. 20, September 2009

Technical Papers

  1. Osei, R. D., Asem, F., Okyere, C. Y, Appiah Kubi, J. W, Onumah, J., Ofori-Appiah, Y. & Wong, B. (2020). “Prioritising Agrictulture Growth in Ghana”. Ghana Priorities, Copenhagen Consensus Center, 2020. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 4.0.
  2. Onoja A. O. & Asem, F.E. (2018). “Analysis of Long-and Short-Run Impact of Foreign Aid on Food and Agricultural Sector Performance in West Africa: Evidence from Ghana and Nigeria”. A technical publication in Global Development Network, African Economic Research Consortium and CREA(2018), Raising African voices on international aid and development in sub-Saharan Africa through local research. Access online athttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1DeO4-XCFQVmPU_VseFVb-GribA6ia3nw/view?usp=sharing

Project Reports

  1. West African Regional Horticulture Conference: Horticulture for Food, Nutrition and Livelihoods31st May – June 1st, 2022; https://horticulture.ucdavis.edu/information/west-africa-regional-horticulture-report
  2. Report on the Horticulture Sector in West Africa; https://horticulture.ucdavis.edu/information/west-africa-regional-horticulture-report
  3. Guinea Bissau Horticulture Baseline Survey Report https://horticulture.ucdavis.edu/information/guinea-bissau-horticulture-baseline-survey-report 
  4. Report on the State of Horticulture Investments in Ghana https://responsibleinnovations.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Ghana_CountryReport.pdf