Constraints to the Adoption of the Yam Minisett Technology in the Northern Region, Ghana

Abstract

The development and transfer of the yam minisett technology has the potential to be the solution to the problem of unavailability and high cost of planting material (seed yam) in the yam production industry. However, the adoption of this technology by farmers in the Northern Region has been reported as quite low. This study was therefore conducted to determine the constraints to the adoption of this potentially useful technology. This survey research was undertaken in four purposively sampled districts of the Northern Region, namely, East Gonja, Gushiegu-Karaga, West Gonja and Yendi Districts. By means of the purposive sampling technique, 120 farmers, the recipients of the technology, and 40 agricultural extension agents (AEAs), the technology transfer agents, constituted the sample for the study. The study employed interview schedule and questionnaire to farmers and extension agents respectively to obtain responses to specific variables to meet the research objectives. Focused group interviews and discussions were also held with representatives of all stakeholders (farmers, subject matter specialists, researchers, extension agents and agricultural administrators) in the agricultural development sector. Relevant departmental documents were also consulted to validate information gathered. From the data, an in-depth analysis of the technology itself and the extension delivery of the technology to farmers was made. Using the farmers' criteria of quality seed yam, the technology was assessed and found to be no better alternative to the traditional seed yam production methods. The quality of seed yam produced through the technology did not meet the farmers' criteria. The extension delivery process was observed to be such that the farmer was just but a recipient of the technology. There was poor farmer-involvement in the problem identification and diagnosis with respect to seed yam production. In this regards, the extension organisation in promoting a “production-technology” oriented approach, through its agricultural extension agents, "imposed" on farmers a pre-formulated or prescribed solution to the problem of inadequacy of planting material in the yam production sector - a problem which farmers in Northern Region did not recognise as a need. From the analysis of the technology itself and its delivery process, a wide range of factors were noted to have contributed to its low adoption rate in the Northern Region. These constraints were catalogued into five broad categories, including Social factors, Economic constraints, Environmental issues, Institutional factors and Technological constraints. It is therefore the recommendation of this research that the paradigm of “farmerparticipatory”, “problem-solving” and “demand-driven” technology development and transfer should be applied to the letter as this would be most appropriate to solving farmers' identified problems. The “production-oriented” approach may not be appropriate in addressing farmers' specific difficulties. The active participation of the target group in the technology development and transfer processes embodied in participatory technology development is crucial in enhancing the adoption of agricultural technologies, in addition, a conducive policy environment, which ensures the availability of production-enhancing inputs at affordable prices together with incentives for production, are nonetheless essential.