Comparative Analysis of Savers and Non-Savers among Tomato Farmers in Ghana

The study sought to examine the differences between savers and non-savers among a cross-section of 562 farmers randomly selected from six districts in three regions (Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Upper East) of Ghana. By means of descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages, the study segregated the respondents into savers and non-savers and Kendall coefficient of concordance was employed to identify the motives of saving among savers and non-saving among non-savers. In order to test whether savers and non-savers differ in relationship to some key socio-economic demographic characteristics, a series of Pearson’s Chi-tests for independence were employed. Finally, by the application of economic-psychology theory on financial savings through binary logistic regression, the study examined empirical differences between savers and non-savers. The study found out that in terms of a key economic variable, that is, income generated from tomato production, savers tend not to differ from non-savers. The issue then is since savers are faced with similar economic challenges relating to their income generating activities, but still manages to save, then the differences between savers and non-saver go beyond economic reasons. Thus, the distinction between saving and non-saving which is underlined by psychological traits have been found to be mainly behavioural and demographic in nature conveying the idea that rural households themselves have a significant part to play with regards to forming, improving and maintaining their savings habits.