Prof. Irene S. Egyir

Prof. Irene S. Egyir

Contact info iegyir@ug.edu.gh

About

Profile

Agricultural Economist with 29 years’ experience, teaching and engaging in research and consultancies in resource use, gender and policy evaluation. She obtained a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ghana in 2003 and has since explored what other countries discuss on the subject. Irene has travelled widely to all the continents to attend conferences to deliver or listen to other colleagues. She has built a strong background in micro-finance practice having led a development NGO, Multi-Features and Capacity-enhancing Services (MFCS) to study finance access attitudes of small entrepreneurs for over a decade. She is currently the Lead Researcher of two projects that aim at understanding the productivity, profitability and sustainability of organic and conventional farming systems.  Prof. Egyir has 40 publications to her credit and has served as editor and reviewer for a number of journals. She had a chance to work as Technical Advisor on a USAID-supported Agriculture and Agribusiness Unit Capacity Building project at the Ministry of Finance from 2014-2017. She was a former Dean, School of Agriculture and Head, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness and sells brown rice as a past time. Her hobby is swimming and dancing to good music.

Education

BSc (Agric) MPhil Ph.D (Agric Econ) (Ghana)

Research Interest

Major interest in sustainable agricultural resource management, markets analysis and in recent times using experimental design to investigate new product development, innovation and entrepreneurship. Has minor interest in microfinancing, gender studies and value chain analysis.

Publications

Journal Articles

  1. Adaku, A. A., Egyir, I. S., Gadegbeku, C., Kunadu, A. P. H., Amanor-Boadu, V., & Laar, A. (2024). Barriers to Ensuring and Sustaining Street Food Safety in a Developing Economy. Heliyon, 10 (11), 1-12
  2. Bandanaa, J., Asante, I. K., Egyir, I. S., Annang, T. Y., Blockeel, J., Heidenreich, A., ... & Schader, C. (2024). Trade‐offs and Synergies between Economic and Environmental Cocoa Farm Management Decisions. Global Challenges, 8(8), 2400041.. DOI:10.1002/gch2.202400041
  3. Ufedo, M. S, Abu, J. G. A., Umeh, C., Abu, O and Egyir, I. S. (2023). Econometric modeling of the nexus of agricultural policy and food security in Nigeria: A dummy variable regression approachAfrican Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 23 (121), 23763-23785.
  4. Egyir, I. S., O'Brien, C., Bandanaa, J., & Opit, G. P. (2023). Feeding the future in Ghana: Gender inequality, poverty, and food insecurity. World Medical & Health Policy, 1– 34. https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.578
  5. C.S. Onyenekwe, P.I. Opata, C.O. Ume, D.B. Sarpong, I.S. Egyir (2023). Heterogeneity of adaptation strategies to climate shocks: Evidence from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Biobased and Applied Economics 12(1): 17-35. doi: 10.36253/bae-13436
  6. Selorm, A., Sarpong, D. B. S., Egyir, I. S., Mensah Bonsu, A., & An, H. (2023). Does contract farming affect technical efficiency? Evidence from soybean farmers in Northern Ghana. Agricultural and Food Economics, 11(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-022-00240-9.
  7. Ouedraogo, A, Egyir I. S, Ouedraogo M, Jatoe,, J.B.D. (2022). Farmers’ Demand for Climate Information Services: A Systematic Review. Sustainability 14(15):9025.
  8. Onyenekwe, C. S., Uche, T. O., Opata, P. I., Egyir, I. S.,& Sarpong, D. B. (2022). The Triple Challenge: Food Security and Vulnerabilities of Fishing and Farming Households in Situations Characterized by Increasing Conflict, Climate Shock, and Environmental Degradation. Land, 11(11), 1982; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11111982. 
  9. Boon, E.K., Egyir, I.S., Oppong-Boateng, R., Karintseva, O., Dibkuu. (2022). Young people and women as key drivers of agricultural transformation in Africa: transiting from rhetoric to action in Ghana B.A. International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 21(2-4), 217–244.
  10. Onyenekwe, C. S., Sarpong, D. B., Egyir, I. S., Opata, P. I., & Oyinbo, O. (2022). A comparative study of farming and fishing households’ livelihood vulnerability in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 1-25.
  11. Ninson, J.; Egyir, I.S.; Mensah-Bonsu, A.; Onumah, E.E. (2022). Financial Analysis of the Use of Land: Agriculture or Woodlot. Land, 11, 642. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/land11050642
  12. Heidenreich, Anja , Grovermann, C., Kadzere, I., Egyir, I. S., Muriuki, A., Bandanaa, J., Clottey, J., Ndungu, J., Blockeel, J., Muller, A., Stolze, M., & Schader, C. (2022). Sustainable intensification pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa: Assessing eco-efficiency of smallholder perennial cash crop production. Agricultural Systems, I95(2022), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103304
  13. Tsiboe, Francis, Egyir, Irene S. & Anaman, George. (2021). Effect of fertilizer subsidy on household level cereal production in Ghana. Scientific African, 13(2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00916 
  14. Schader, C., Heidenreich, A., Kadzere, I., Egyir, I., Muriuki, A. Bandanaa, J. Clottey, J. Ndungu, Grovermanna, C., Lazzarinia, G. Blockeel, J. Borgemeister, C. Mullerae, A. Kabi, F., Fiaboe, K., Adamtey, N., Huber, B., Nigglia, U., & Stolze, M. (2021). How is organic farming performing agronomically and economically in sub-Saharan Africa? Global Environmental Change.70 (2021), 1-13, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102325 
  15. Vukey Enoch Yao, Egyir, Irene S., Asiedu, Edward & Kwapong, Nana Afranaa (2021). Increasing rice productivity in Ghana: Do savings with rural and community banks matter? Agricultural Finance Review DOI 10.1108/AFR-12-2020-0179           
  16. Akrasi, Romeo Oduro ,  Egyir, Irene Susana, Seini, Alhassan Wayo,  Awo, Martha, Okyere, Emmanuel & Barnor, Kodjo (2021) Food Security in Northern Ghana: Does Income from Shea Based Livelihoods Matter? Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, 30 (3), 169-185.
  17. Akrasi, Romeo Oduro,  Egyir, Irene Susana, Seini, Alhassan Wayo,  Awo, Martha, Ntrie Prince Eddico &  Adarkwah,. Rejoice(2021). Assessing Shea Nut Access in the Savannah and Northern Regions of Ghana Indian Journal of Ecology 48(3), 692-697. 
  18. Bandanaa, J., Asante, I. K., Egyir, I. S., Schader, C., Annang, T. Y., Blockeel, J., Kadzere, I. & Heidenreich, Anja. (2021). Sustainability performance of organic and conventional cocoa farming systems in Atwima Mponua District of Ghana. Journal of Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2021.100121
  19. Grabowski, Philip P., Djenontin, Ida, Zulu, Leo, Kamoto, Judith, Kampanje-Phiri, Jessica, Darkwah, Akosua, Egyir, Irene & Fischer, Gundula (2020). Gender- and youth-sensitive data collection tools to support decision making for inclusive sustainable agricultural intensification. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 19 (5&6), 369-375. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2020.1817656
  20. Clottey, J.K., Kuwornu, J.K.M & Egyir, I. S. (2020). Analysis of smallholder pig value chains in Ghana. Development in Practice. 30 (8), 1058-1067.
  21. Zulu, L. C., Djenontin, I. N. S, Darkwah, A., Kamoto, J., Kampanje-Phiri, J., Fischer, G., Grabowski, P. & Egyir, I. S. (2020). Realizing Inclusive SAI: contextualizing indicators to better evaluate gender and intergenerational inequity in SAI processes and outcomes – cases from Southern and Western Africa. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 19 (5&6), 376-402. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2020.1737356 
  22. Sylla, Ahmed Yves, Al-Hassan, Ramatu Mahama, Egyir, Irene Susana  & Henry Anim-Somuah (2019). Perceptions about quality of public and private agricultural extension in Africa: Evidence from farmers in Burkina Faso. Cogent Food and Agriculture 5, (1), 1-14.
  23. Ogoudedji, S.A., Egyir, I. S. Osei-Asare, Y. & Seini, W. A. (2019). Assessing drivers of maize storage losses in south west Benin using a fractional response model. Journal of Stored Products Research, 83 (2019), 281-291.
  24. Adabe, K. E.,  Abbey, A. G., Egyir, I.S., Kuwornu, J. K.M. & Anim-Somuah, H. (2019). Impact of contract farming on product quality upgrading: the case of rice in Togo. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 9 (4), 314-332.
  25. Anaman, K. A & Egyir, I. S. (2019). Economic Shocks and the Growth of the Construction Industry in Ghana over the 50-Year Period from 1968 to 2017. Research in World Economy 10 (1), 1-16. 
  26. Aggrey J. K., S. Egyir, I. S., Amegashie, D. P. K., Freeman, C., Adamtey, N., Ofosu-Budu, G. K., Ewusie, E. A., Agyakwah, S. K., Akumah, M. A., Gaga, C. T., & Kwapong, K. (2018). Feasibility of the utilization of “black soldier fly larvae” compost fortified with biochar for vegetable farming in Greater Accra, Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, 2(1), 1-18. 
  27. Damba, O.T., Egyir, I & Adam, H. (2018). Drivers of Farmers’ Relationship Choice in Commodity Supply Chains: The Case of Soybean in Northern Ghana. International Journal of Irrigation and Agricultural Development, 2(1), 152-16.
  28. Méda, Y. J. Métouolé, Egyir, I. S., Zahonogo, P. & Jatoe, J.B. D (2017). Institutional factors and farmers’ adoption of conventional, organic and genetically modified cotton in Burkina Faso. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 16, (1), 40-53.
  29. Kuwornu, J. K. M., Narh Jnr, A. B., Egyir, I. S., Onumah, E. E., Gebrezgabher S. (2017), Willingness to pay for excreta pellet fertilizer: Empirical evidence from Ghana. Acta agriculturae Slovenica 109 (2), 315 - 323
  30. Asante-Addo, C.,  Mockshell, J., Zeller, M., Siddig, K. & Egyir, I. S. (2017). Agricultural credit provision: what really determines farmers’ participation and credit rationing? Agricultural Finance Review, 77 (2), 239-256                                                                           
  31. Mensah-Bonsu, A., Sarpong, D.B., Al-Hassan, R. M., Asuming-Brempong, S. Egyir, I. S., Kuwornu, J.K.M., & Osei-Asare, Y.B. (2017). Intensity of and factors affecting land and water management practices among smallholder maize farmers in Ghana. African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 12(2), 142-157 
  32. Porgo, M., Kuwornu, J. K. M., Zahonogo, P., Jatoe, J-B.D., Egyir, I. S. (2017). Credit constraints and labour allocation decisions in rural Burkina Faso, Agricultural Finance Review, 77(2), 257-274, 
  33. Meda, Y. J. M., Egyir, I. S., Jatoe, J-B. D., Atewamba, C. and Zahonogo, P. (2017). The Green Economics of Conventional, Organic and Genetically Modified Crops Farming: A Review, International Journal of Green Economics, 11 (1), 15-40. 
  34. Wrigley-Asante, C., Owusu, K., Egyir, I. S.  &  Owiyo, T. M. (2017). Gender dimensions of climate change adaptation practices: The experiences of smallholder crop farmers in the transition zone of Ghana. Journal of African Geographical Review doi.org/10.1080/19376812.2017.1340168 
  35. Bandanaa, J., I. S. Egyir and I. Asante (2016). Cocoa farming households in Ghana consider organic practices as climate smart and livelihood enhancer. Journal of Agriculture and Food Security, 5(29): 1-9 
  36. Mohammed, Mutalla, I.S. Egyir, A.K. Donkor, P. Amoah, S. Nyarko, K.K. Boateng, and C. Ziwu. (2016). Feasibility study for biogas integration into waste treatment plants in Ghana. Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, 26(3), 695-703. 
  37. Egyir, Irene Susana, Ofori, Kwadwo, Antwi, Godfred & Ntiamoa-Baidu, Yaa (2015). Adaptive capacity and coping strategies in the face of climate change: A comparative study of communities around two protected areas in the Coastal savannah and Transitional zones of Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Development, 8(1):1-15. 
  38. Agyei-Sasu, Felix, Egyir, Irene S. Osei-Asare, Yaw B. & Anaman, Kwabena A. (2014): Horticultural Exports and Measures of Export Success; Lessons and Policy Implications from Ghana. Journal of International Marketing and Exporting. 18(1): 44-65. 
  39. Awunyo-Vitor, D., Al-Hassan, Ramatu M., Sarpong, Daniel Bruce & Egyir, Irene S. (2014). Agricultural credit rationing in Ghana: What do formal lenders look for? Agricultural Finance Review. 74(3): 367-378. 
  40. Bolarinwa K. K., Egyir, Irene S. & Apantaku, S. (2014). Utilization of Information Communication Technology’s components for coordination of marketing agricultural commodities in Oyo State Nigeria. European Journal of Business and Management 6(6): 1216. 
  41. Dankwa, B. I., & Egyir, Irene S. (2014). Factors that influence household demand for locally produced brown rice in Ghana. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 5(7):24. 
  42. Offei, Mark Kwame, Egyir, Irene S., George T-M Kwadzo & Cofie, Olufunke. (2014). Financial feasibility of producing a urine-based fertiliser for vegetable farming in Accra, Ghana. Journal of Advances in Agricultural Science and Technology. 2(1): 1-9. 
  43. Al-Hassan, Ramatu M., Egyir, Irene S. & Abakah, James. (2013). Farm household level impacts of information communication technology (ICT)-based agricultural market information in Ghana.  Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics 5(4):161-167 
  44. Sadick Mohammed, Egyir, Irene S. & Amegashie, D.P.K. (2013) Social Capital and Access to Credit by Farmer Based Organizations in the Karaga District of Northern Ghana. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development. 4(16):146-155
  45. Anning, Andrew, Egyir, Irene S., Kwadzo, George T-M. & John K.M. Kuwornu (2012). Willingness of marine artisanal fishermen to integrate aquaculture in enterprise mix: Evidence from Ghana. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development. 3(1): 56-66. 
  46. Asante, F.A., Boakye, A. A., Egyir I.S., & Jatoe, J. B. D. (2012). Climate change and farmers’ adaptive capacity to strategic innovations: The case of Northern Ghana. International Journal of Development and Sustainability. 1(3):1-19. 
  47. Egyir I. S., Mensah E. C., & Agyei-Sasu F. (2012), Factors Influencing the Intensity of Export Success in Ghana’s Horticultural Industry, International Journal of Business, Humanities and Technology. 2(7): 115-120. 
  48. Agyei-Sasu, Felix, Anaman, Kwabena A. & Egyir, Irene S. (2011). Factors influencing entry and success of firms in the export of fresh horticultural products from Ghana. Journal of International Marketing and Exporting. 16(1): 41-57 
  49. Egyir I. S, Essah, S. Y. C & Kwadzo, G. T-M (2011) Financial Costs and Benefits of  Investing In the Production of Allanblackia Spp. as a Tree Crop in Ghana. Crop Research 42 (3): 501-523 
  50. Egyir, I. S., Owusu‐Benoah, E., Anno‐Nyako, F. O., & Banful, B. (2011). Assessing the factors of adoption of agrochemicals by plantain farmers in Ghana. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 5(1), 83-97.
  51. Egyir, I. S., Al-Hassan, R. M., & Abakah, J. K. (2011). The effect of ICT-based market information services on the performance of agricultural markets: experiences from Ghana. International Journal of ICT Research and Development in Africa (IJICTRDA), 2(2), 1-13.
  52. Al-Hassan, R., Jatoe, J. B. D., & Egyir, I. S. (2010). Biopesticides in Ghana: vegetable farmers’ perception and willingness to pay. IUP J Agric Econ, 7, 17-32. 
  53. Sugri, I. Norman, J. C., Egyir, I. & Johnson, P.N.T. (2010). Preliminary assessment of shea butter waxing on the keeping and sensory qualities of four plantain (Musa aab) varieties. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(19), 2676-2684.
  54. Akudugu, M., Egyir, I. S. & Mensah-Bonsu, A. (2009). Women farmers' access to credit from rural banks in Ghana. Agricultural Finance Review. 69(3): 284 – 299. 
  55. Kuwornu, John K.M., Darko, Francis D., Osei-Asare, Yaw B. & Egyir, Irene S. (2009) Exports of palm oil from Ghana: A demand analysis.  Journal of Food Distribution Research. 40(1): 90-96. 
  56. Egyir, I. S. & Essah, S. Y. C. (2010). Promoting formal urban agricultural-based organisations in developing economies: factors that influence choice. Crop Research 39 (3): 215-220. 
  57. Egyir, I. S., Owusu-Benoah, E. Anno-Nyako, F. O. & Banful, B. (2010). An analysis of the Agricultural Science Technology and Innovation System for Plantain in Ghana. Acta Horticulturae, 879(2): 843-849. 
  58. Egyir, I. S. & Yeboah, Bismark A.  (2009). Fufu Flour processing in Ghana: What costs, returns and institutional support are expected to encourage young entrepreneurs. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science. 42(2): 157-168 
  59. Kuwornu, John K. M, Darko, Francis D., Osei-Asare, Yaw B. & Egyir. Irene S. (2009). Exports of Palm oil from Ghana: A demand Analysis.  Journal of Food Distribution Research. 40(1): 90-96. 
  60. Akudugu, M., Irene S. Egyir and A. Mensah-Bonsu. (2009). Access to rural bank credit in Ghana: The case of women farmers in the Upper East region.  Ghana Journal of Development Studies. 6(2):142-167. 

Books/Chapter in Books 

  1. Yeboah, Thomas & Egyir, Irene (2023). Children’s Work in Shallot Production on the Keta Peninsula, South-Eastern Ghana. In James Sumberg and Rachael Sabates-Wheeler (eds). Children’s Work in African Agriculture. The Harmful and the Harmless. Bristol University Press. 233-250.
  2. Ton, Giel, Thorpe, Jodie,  Egyir, Irene S. &  Szyp, Carolina (2023). Value Chain Governance and Children’s Work in Agriculture. In James Sumberg and Rachae Sabates-Wheeler (eds). Children’s Work in African Agriculture. The Harmful and the Harmless. Bristol University Press. 141-173.
  3. Egyir, Irene S. (2014). “Microfinance, women and local economic development in Ghana”. In Seini, W.A, Egyir, Irene S. & Kuwornu, John K.M (eds.). Developments in agricultural economics and contemporary issues in Ghana. University of Ghana Readers. Accra Ghana DigiBooks. Pp 197-207. 
  4. Seini, W.A, Egyir, Irene S. & Kuwornu, John K.M (eds.). Developments in agricultural economics and contemporary issues in Ghana. University of Ghana Readers. Accra Ghana DigiBooks. Pp 197-207. 
  5. Felix Agyei-Sasu, Egyir, Irene S. & Osei-Asare, Yaw B. (2014): Horticultural Export Success: Determinants and Intensity in Ghana. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, ISBN: 978-3-8484-4149-5. 
  6. Egyir, Irene S., Cofie, O. & Dubbeling, M. (2014). “Options for Local Financing in Urban Agriculture”. In Drechsel, Pay & Keraita, Bernard (eds.) Irrigated Urban Vegetable Production in Ghana: Characteristics, Benefits and Risk Mitigation. Accra, Ghana. International Water Management Institute. 234 pp. 
  7. Egyir, I. S., Sarpong, D.B. & Obeng-Ofori, D. (2011). Harvest and post-harvest loss assessment of crop and livestock commodities. A training manual. Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Accra. Pp 1-52. 
  8. Egyir, Irene S. (2008) “Marketing of agricultural produce, food laws and legislation”.  In,  Cornelius, E. W & Obeng-Ofori, D. (eds.).  Postharvest Science and Technology.  College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences.  Smartline Publishing Ltd., Accra.   Pp 434-488. 
  9. Timpo, Samuel & Egyir, Irene S. (2008) “Micro enterprise development and management”.  In, E.W. Cornelius & D. Obeng-Ofori (eds.).  Postharvest Science and Technology.  College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences.  Smartline Publishing Ltd., Accra. Pp 374-433. 
  10. Egyir, Irene S. (2004). “Marketing strategies in post-harvest management of perishable        crops.  In Richard I. Bani (ed.). Postharvest technology of fruits and vegetables. A       training manual. Department of Agricultural Engineering. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ghana, Legon. 
  11. Al-Hassan, Ramatu & Egyir, Irene (2002). “The Potential for Farm/ Nonfarm Linkages in the Cassava Sub sector in Ghana.  In: D. Benjamin, T, Reardon, K. Stamoulis and P. Winters (eds.), Promoting Farm/Non-farm Linkages for Rural Development. Case Studies for Africa and Latin America.  Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome. Pp. 171-198.