Abstract:
The study sought to explore the role of block farming in attracting and retaining the youth
in farming. The study was conducted in the Techiman Municipal Area and it examined the
motivations and participation of farmers, the inputs accessed and profitability of block
farming. One hundred and ten (110) farmers in block farming participated in the study. It
emerged that income rather than employment is the most important motivation for
participation in the programme. All 110 farmers were in farming before enrolling onto the
programme. The inputs accessed include fertilizer, seed, agrochemicals and extension
services. Most farmers rely on their own land, arrange for mechanisation services and
access informal market services. The study concludes that targeting of youth and new
farmers to replace the aging farmer population through block farming was poor. The study
recommends greater commitment from both government and implementers to ensure that
targeted groups benefit from interventions if agricultural programmes such as block
farming are to achieve required objectives. Secondly, a more holistic approach should be
adopted if agricultural programmes are to make significant improvement in productivity,
improve well-being of farmers and make farming attractive to the youth. Supporting
farmers with only fertilizer, seed, and agrochemical and extension services is not adequate.
Support should be scaled up to include irrigation services, cash support for manual
operations, agricultural mechanisation, storage infrastructure, guaranteed prices and
market information. These will help cushion farmers to withstand risk and uncertainty
associated with farming. The study also recommends a follow up on youth farmers who
participated in block farming to ascertain if they have remained in farming and how they
are using farming to improve their livelihoods.
