Abstract:
This study attempted to compare and contrast the effectiveness of
the extension delivery systems available to farmers and staff of two agricultural
institutions namely:- The Ministry of Agriculture (Government
controlled and financed) and the Ghana Tobacco Company limited (a private
participation). Specifically the study was designed to determines
(1) The extension teaching methods used by the
two organizations.
(2 ) Farmers source of farm information.
(3) The degree of contact between the farmers and
the field extension staff and its effect or
impact on agricultural extension and finally
(4) To find out whether extension addressed itself
to farmers needs and problems.
The research findings were based upon a study of both food and cash
crop fanners and field extension staff of the two organizations.
The study revealed that the G.T.C. extension services to their
farmers were more effective in terms of provision of production inputs and
extension teaching methods used than those of the Ministry of Agriculture.
The effectiveness of G.T.C. extension services seems to have been greatly
enhanced by (1 ) the low staff/farmer ratio as compared to a high ratio of f'
the Ministry of Agriculture. (2 ) The high mobility of G.T.C. staff and
(3) The regularly monitored activities of G.T.C. staff by their supervisors.
Both G.T.C. and the Ministry of Agriculture use group teaching
method particularly, demonstration and farmers meeting as forms of
educational instructions with their farmers. Both groups of farmers
realise the positive contribution extension plays in their farming
education and adoption of new practices but found extension staff effort
to assist them woefully inadequate.
lack of transportation, poor service conditions and lack of farm
inputs were some of the problems hampering field extension staff in their
work. Teaching methods and extension programmes designed were more service
rather than education oriented.
