Browsing by Author "Boateng, S.D."
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Item Analysis Of Technology Transfer Process And Its Implication On Adoption Of Improved Palm Oil Processing Technology By Women In Ho District(University of Ghana, 2000-08) Asamoah, B.C.; Boateng, S.D.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture,Department of Agricultural ExtensionOil palm processing is one of the occupations of women in the Dodome and Tsyome communities in the Ho district of the Volta Region of Ghana. To assist women to increase production, Agricultural Sector Improvement Project (ASIP) and Helping Hand Association for Women’s Development (HHAWD) have introduced improved palm oil processing technologies into these communities. However these technologies are not being used. The study was conducted to determine the technology transfer process used and also identify problems that are militating against the trial and the subsequent adoption of the improved technology. A descriptive research was employed to collect data. A sample of 132 small-scale palm oil processors was randomly selected for the study. In addition, 8 officials from ASIP and HHAWD were purposively sampled to provide information about the improved technology. Interviews and self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that the beneficiaries of the improved technology saw the need for the technology. However, factors such as Technical fault on the equipment, problems combining processing using the improved technology with farming, lack of credit, management problems among others have negatively influenced the trial and adoption of the technology. The failure of the people to try and adopt the improved technology has been attributed to the following: • Some vital principles of technology transfer, such as the determination of the resource base of the beneficiaries, the involvement of the beneficiaries in the selection and introduction of the equipment and thorough training of the beneficiaries in the use of the equipment, were not followed during the transfer of the technology. • Economic activities such as farming, petty-trading among others are more lucrative to the people than palm oil processing. • There are some technical problems with the equipment. It is recommended that: • Decisions to transfer improved technologies in the form of equipment to clients in rural areas must be demand-driven if they are to be accepted. • Thorough investigations of the needs and priorities and the resource base of beneficiaries should be carried out so as to make sure the innovations meet the felt needs of the people. -• Beneficiaries of improved technologies are involved in the selection and introduction of the technologies so as to avoid their rejection. • There should be an organisation of adequate training for beneficiaries in the use of improved technologies especially machinery. • Institution of credit facilities for beneficiaries to enable them acquire the necessary inputs. Monitoring of rural projects by implementers needs to be intensified so as to ensure that problems with such projects are readily identified and solved.Item Climate variability indicators - scientific data versus farmers perception; evidence from southern Ghana(Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2023) Ankrah, D.A.; Mensah, J.; Anaglo, J.N.; Boateng, S.D.Even though copious knowledge has been advanced in the extant lit erature on climate variability and change. Two schools of thought exist—one that views farmers’ perceptions of climate indicators as erroneous and inferior, while the other views, scientific data, specifically meteorological data, to be superior and accurate. The accuracy of farmers perception of climate variability indicators is in doubt relative to the scientific data. This article targets assessing farmers percep tion of climate variability indicators compared to the scientific data with an eye to distil policy implications for climate variability resilience and adaptation. Using cross-sectional data on 197 smallholder maize farmers in southern Ghana, the article answers the research question: To what extent do smallholder farmers perception of climate variability indicators align or vary from objective climate data? We find variation between farmers perception of climate indicators and the objec tive data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency. Specifically, while farmer percep tions showed a decrease in rainfall over the past 10 years (2009–2018), the objective data proved otherwise. Again, a contradiction existed between farmers perception of sunshine and the scientific data. However, farmers’ perceptions of temperature aligned with the objective data. The scientific data established coeffi cient of variations of 0.21, 0.04, 0.03, and 0.12 for rainfall, sunshine, maximum, and minimum temperatures respectively. We recommend collaborative efforts between the national research council’s, Ghana Meteorological Agency, and academic insti tutions to commission further studies that will test, confirm, and harmonize the reliability of smallholder perceptions of climate variability and change in climate adaptation effortsItem A Comparative Study of the Credit with Education (CWE) and the Village Savings and Loans (VSLA) Methodologies of Microfinance Services on Rural Livelihoods(University of Ghana, 2012-10) Alerigesane, A.A.; Atengdem, P.B.; Boateng, S.D.The study was set up to compare the Credit with Education (CwE) and the Village Savings and Loans (VSL) methodologies of microfinance services and how they influence rural livelihoods. The field survey methodology was involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Common services (financial and non-financial) offered to client groups in both the VSL and CwE models as implemented by Plan Ghana-an international non-governmental organization (INGO) and partner local non-governmental organizations (LNGOs) in the case of the former and the latter by the Bawjiase Area Rural Bank (BARB) in the Awutu district of the Central Region of Ghana. It then assessed in comparative terms the influence of these microfinance models on clients’ livelihood strategies and activities, the resulting outcomes and ultimately their impact on clients as search for livelihood. In all 202 respondents were sampled, one hundred and one in each category and the data collected in the month of March, 2012. Descriptive statistics were mostly employed for the analysis of the data. The study found that apart from the financial intermediation, social intermediation services such as enterprise development, gender trainings, reproductive health, diarrhea prevention and management in children and infants, importance of breastfeeding, infant and child feeding, HIV/AIDS prevention, malaria prevention and management and family planning were offered in both programmes. In all, services such as gender trainings; agro-forestry practices and cottage industry as livelihood strategies; and livelihood outcomes including enterprise expansion, bulk purchase for cost reduction, accessing cheaper credit sources, initiating new enterprises, selling in new markets, investment in structures for marketing and production, clients preferred places of savings, amounts saved, calculation of profits based on costs and earnings, having fixed location for sales and production purposes, allowing credit sales, household diet characteristics and perception of limited credit availability all showed significant differences between the CwE and VSL clients and by extension groups. Overall, the study found that the programmes had positive influences on clients’ livelihood strategies and activities, the outcomes of those strategies and activities and the eventual impact. The study recommends that topical issues such as gender that alter power relations within households positively, food security that innovatively link households of programme participants directly into food chains with long term positive effects on nutrition of children in particular and the incorporation of health products such as the NHIS should be intensified in programmes. Also, programmes such as the VSL contemplating linking groups to formal microfinance institutions (MFIs) and/or commercial banks should assess the repayment capacities of groups incrementally, and credit extended accordingly in order to avoid defaults and promote sustainability.Item Competence-based education: reflections on the context of teaching agriculture in Ghana’s pre-tertiary schools(Cogent Education, 2023) Boateng, S.D.; Ankrah, D.A.; Manteaw, S.A.The ideal context for competence-based education (CBE) in the global south appears elusive with negative ramifications on both the teacher and the student. Using Ghana as a case study, this article shines light on the research question: What are the contexts and the implications of the contexts in which agriculture is taught on competence-based education? Drawing on a mixed methods approach involving cross-sectional data on 112 students, 238 teachers, and qualitative enquiries involving key informant interviews, and on-site observations. The findings showed inadequate facilities and low enrolment in agriculture. Specifically, 34% of pre-tertiary schools had less than 5% of the total student population offering agriculture. Theory-based pedagogies still dominate contrary to the core principles of competence-based education, culminating in students limited hands-on exposure that demotivates teachers and learners. We recommend the Ministry of Education focuses on competence-based education by increasing fund ing allocation to address the inadequate facilities, classrooms, and equipment needed for the effective teaching, learning, and the practice of agriculture. This article argues for sustained investment and conscious efforts directed at addressing challenges constraining CBE to allay the myths, drudgery, and low potentials ascribed to agriculture, with an ultimate aim to motivate the youth to pursue agriculture as a career and game-changer in providing self-employment and resolving the high unemployment phenomenon in the sub-region.Item The contribution of enterprise establishment factors to employment growth of the pineapple industry in the Nsawam- Adoagyiri District in the Eastern Region of Ghana(Science and Development, 2018) Boateng, S.D.The establishment of enterprises is influenced by various factors identified in the theories of enterprise establishment. However, most entrepreneurs do not pay particular attention to such factors when establishing and managing their enterprises. The aim of this study is to examine how enterprise establishment factors contribute to employment growth of the pineapple industry in Nsawam-Adoagyiri District. The enterprise establishment factors investigated in this study are the basic tasks identified by the entrepreneur, availability of funds for enterprise establishment, business information and entrepreneur’s expertise from previous education and previous work. A survey was conducted using mixed methods research. Data were collected from 172 entrepreneurs in the pineapple industry from eight farmer based organizations randomly selected from Nsawam-Adoagyiri District of Ghana. The data were analyzed with SPSS software using Chi square and multiple regression analysis. The results show that availability of funds for enterprise establishment contributed significantly to employment growth. The study found that business information did not contribute to employment growth of the pineapple industry in the study area. While entrepreneurs’ expertise acquired from educational background did not contribute significantly to employment growth of the industry, entrepreneurs’ expertise from previous work background contributed significantly to employment growth. The regression analysis showed that the enterprise establishment factors investigated in this research explain 52% of the variations in employment growth in the pineapple industry in the study area. It can therefore be concluded that enterprise establishment factors do not only influence the enterprise establishment process but also contribute to employment growth of the pineapple industry in the study area.Item The Contribution of Enterprise Establishment Factors to the Growth of Pineapple Industry in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri District in the Eastern Region of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Agbe, K.K.; Boateng, S.D.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe establishment of agro enterprises is influenced by various factors identified in the theories of enterprise establishment which most entrepreneurs do not pay particular attention to when establishing and managing their enterprises. The aim of this study is to examine how enterprise establishment factors contribute to the growth of the pineapple industry. The enterprise establishment or founding factors identified and examined in this study are the basic tasks identified by the entrepreneur, funds availability for enterprise establishment, business information and entrepreneur‟s expertise. A mixed model research design was used in this study with the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was collected from 172 entrepreneurs in the pineapple industry from eight (8) farmer based organizations in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri District of Ghana using a simple random sampling technique and analyzed with SPSS software. Results show that funds availability for enterprise establishment and access to business information by the entrepreneur contributes significantly to employment growth of the pineapple industry, and technological growth. Sources of business information contribute to sales growth, and technological growth of the pineapple industry. Entrepreneur‟s educational background and previous work experience were found to contribute significantly to entrepreneur‟s expertise in the establishment and management of the pineapple industry. It was however identified that the entrepreneur‟s expertise from educational background does not affect the growth of pineapple enterprises. Meanwhile, entrepreneur‟s expertise gained from previous work experience was found to contribute to employment and technological growth of the pineapple industry due to the human resource management, and technical skills acquired by entrepreneurs in their previous works. It can therefore be concluded that enterprise establishment factors do not only influence entrepreneurial or enterprise establishment process but also contribute variedly to the growth of pineapple industry. The study recommends that education on agro enterprises in educational institutions, and the provision of adequate knowledge on funds availability to would be entrepreneurs should be carried out to enhance their capability in enterprise establishment and growth.Item The Contribution of Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Institutional Support Towards Shea Conservation Management in the Upper East Region(University of Ghana, 2015-10) Aboyella, A.C.; Boateng, S.D.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe continuous extraction of shea resources from the natural plantation over the years without any significant conservation management measures has compounded the deforestation of the natural shea vegetation, leading to the fast decline in shea tree population in the northern savannah grasslands. The decline in shea tree densities is quite alarming in the Upper East Region. The main objective of this study was to examine the contribution of farmers‟ knowledge, attitude, and institutional support towards shea conservation management practices in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study used a mixed method approach. The qualitative method involved key informant interviews with institutions and organizations to collect qualitative data. The quantitative method involved administering a survey questionnaire to a randomly sampled size of 350 farmers. The qualitative data was content-analyzed for patterns of relationships, while Chi-square and Likert scale were run for quantitative data. The results indicate that there was no statistically significant difference χ2 (1, N=350) = 0.206, p = 0.056 between male (95%) and female (93%) farmers knowledge in shea protection. The findings further indicate there was statistically significant difference χ2 (1, N=350) = 17.725, p = 0.049 between male (90%) and female (71%) farmers‟ knowledge in the importance of weeding around shea trees, pests and disease control and pruning. Also, farmers generally showed a positive attitude towards shea conservation management practices. However, considering the rather low practice in shea tree conservation management by farmers, it is recommended for increased community awareness sensitization by state and private institutions.Item The Contribution of Outgrower Scheme to Farmers Livelihood: A Case of Oil Palm Farmers in the Kwaebibirem District of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2013-06) Bright, L.; Boateng, S.D.The study was carried out to investigate the contribution of Ghana Oil Palm Development Company Limited (GOPDC) outgrower scheme to small-scale farmers‘ livelihood. A total of 214 respondents were involved in this study. The respondents were selected from four communities in the Kwaebibirem district of the Eastern region of Ghana. They were both outgrower and non outgrower farmers (small scale farmers). The data gathered were analysed using SPSS. Similarly, chi square test was used to measure the relationship between some selected variables. The results show that even though Ghana Oil Palm Development Company Limited (GOPDC) supplied enough inputs to aid outgrowers, the relationship between GOPDC and outgrowers is strained and has significant implications on the sustainability of the contract scheme. This is because only 19% of outgrower farmers sell fresh fruit bunch (FFB) to GOPDC stating delayed period of payment and non-payment of cash by GOPDC, transportation challenges, and land tenure arrangement as contributing factors. Socio-economic characteristics such as gender, level of education, and farming experience in oil palm cultivation were found to have contributed to the acceptance of the outgrower contract scheme. The results of the analysis also demonstrate that participation in the outgrower contract scheme improves farmers‘ livelihood outcome (accumulation of physical assets). Similarly, the study confirmed that the schemes play a very vital role in the economic development of the rural communities where the schemes are implemented by assisting communities with schools, employment and spin-off employment, health delivery and infrastructure development like provision and maintenance of feeder roads to ensure easy access for the farmers and their farm produce. The study recommends that the outgrower contract scheme should be encouraged in other agricultural sectors of the economy since it has proven to contribute to farmers‘ livelihood outcome.Item The Contribution of Socio-Economic Factors to Knowledge, Attitude and Skills Acquired Through Training in Pesticide Utilization in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(University of Ghana, 2015-10) Abdulai, Z.; Boateng, S.D.; Anaglo, J.N.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe use of recommended agricultural practices such as the safe adoption of pesticides is influenced by several factors as identified in the evaluative frame of reference. These factors have often led to the existing gap between farmers‘ knowledge and pesticide use. The purpose of the study was to examine the contribution of socio-economic factors to the application of skills acquired through training on the safe use of pesticides in vegetable production in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample 100 MoFA training beneficiary farmers from a population of 135. The study used interview schedule as instrument to gather data from the respondents. SPSS and descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies, and percentages were used to analyse the quantitative data, while content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. The study found that the even though the farmers acquired good knowledge in pesticide use, they are using a number of practices that are injurious to themselves, consumers and the environment after benefiting from a training programme from MoFA. Thus, few farmers were using protective gears and most farmers perceived applying more pesticides guarantees higher farm yields. Nevertheless, the training programme contributed to change some of the poor attitudes and practices associated with the use of pesticides. Educational level of farmers was the main socio-economic variable that explained differences in the attitudes of farmers. The study recommends that MoFA should organise more training programmes for the farmers to help continue change some of the negative attitudes towards the use of pesticides, and MoFA should provide extension services to the farmers to monitor their rate of adoption of the improved practices in the use of pesticides.Item The Effect of Access to and Use of Agricultural Information on the Livelihood of Cocoa Farmers(University of Ghana, 2014-07) Aikins, I.; Atengdem, P.B.; Boateng, S.D.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences School of Agriculture Department of Agricultural ExtensionCocoa remains Ghana’s most important crop, providing a means of livelihood to about two million people. As a result of the liberalization of the sector, there have been several providers of services to farmers particularly agricultural information. In agriculture, the role of information in enhancing the agricultural development cannot be over emphasized. Information is essential for increasing agricultural production and improving marketing & distribution strategies. Concerns still persist as to the differences in the access to and use of agricultural information leading to differences in livelihood outcomes of farmers. The study’s main objective was to assess the effect of access to and use of agricultural information on the livelihood of cocoa farmers. The study used survey research methodology with a sample size of 260 cocoa farmers within the Sefwi Bekwai Cocoa District of Ghana. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study showed that the cocoa farmers get information on cocoa farming mainly through radio (95.4%), Television (75.0%), Family/Friends (70.8%) and COCOBOD/MoFA (49.2%). The use of information from family/friends was the highest with a mean of (3.85) followed by information from agro - input dealers (3.64), COCOBOD/MoFA (3.47) and Farmer groups (3.33). The study also found that, there was a moderate level of access to agricultural information by the farmers as indicated by 62.3% of the respondents. Farmers’ level of use of accessed agricultural information was low, indicated by 48.1% of the respondents. The farmers’ characteristics and institutional factors significantly influenced access to agricultural information (R2 = 0.498, F (19, 240) = 12.515, p = 0.000), additionally it significantly influenced the use of agricultural information (R2 = 0.514, F (19, 240) = 13.365, p = 0.000). The significant predictor variables of farmers’ access to agricultural information were household size, labour availability, group membership, farmers’ information seeking behaviour and farmers’ attitude towards improved farming practices. The use of agricultural information was significantly influenced by household size, off – farm work, labour availability, group membership and farmers’ information seeking behaviour. There was a significant relationship between level of access to information and level of use of information (R2 = 0.897, F (5,254) = 440.16,of language used and the relevance of the information disseminated. A statistically significant relationship existed between level of farmers’ use of agricultural average annual income, extent of satisfaction of basic needs and basic household assets possession at 5%. There was a statistically significant relationship between the level of access to agricultural information and its use. The study revealed that sources of information that have direct contact with the farmers were highly used. It is therefore recommended that face to face interaction with the farmers should be frequent, timely training of input dealers to equip them with more technical knowhow and cocoa farmers should be encouraged to subscribe to the farmer groups that abound in their localities.Item Faecal Sludge Reuse in Urban and Peri-Urban Crop Production(University of Ghana, 2013-06) Nartey, E.G.; Ofosu-Budu, K.G.; Boateng, S.D.; Amoah, P.; Nikiema, J.; Pradhan, S.; International Water Management Institute (IWMI), West African Office, Accra – GhanaOrganic wastes, such as faecal sludge (FS), cocoa pod husk (CPH) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) abound in large quantities in the Ghanaian environment. They contain considerable amounts of nutrients and organic matter which can be recycled to improve soil organic matter content and boost soil fertility status. This study was conducted to characterize and quantify FS produced in Sekondi- Takoradi metropolis (STMA), co-compost FS with EFB and CPH, evaluate the suitability of the co-composts and compost tea as a growing medium and nutrient source, respectively and then ascertain the perception of farmers and consumers on FS composting and use in crop production. Samples of FS were collected from the new liquid waste treatment facility in Sekondi-Takoradi and analysed for physico-chemical parameters (pH, EC, TS, BOD, COD, N, NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N, P and K) and pathogens (E. coli, faecal coliforms and helminth eggs). Dewatered FS was co-composted with EFB and CPH at 5 different treatment ratios: 1FS:1EFB, 1FS:1CPH; and FS: EFB: CPH in ratios of 1:1:1, 2:1:1, and 2:2:1. Temperature, pH, pathogen reduction, and nutrient content were monitored. One co-compost was evaluated for its suitability as a potting medium and compost tea for raising pepper and tomato transplants. Media treatments were prepared by mixing carbonated rice husk (CRH) and co-compost at 5 different ratios 0:1, 1:3, 1:1, 3:1 and 1:0 ratio v/v. The compost teas were prepared by steeping 2.5 kg of compost in 15 L of distilled following the bucket-fermentation method. Questionnaires were administered to 10 vegetable farmers and 10 consumers in Accra to ascertain their perception on human waste composting and use in crop production. Results from this study showed that, the average biological oxygen demand (BOD) of septage and public toilet sludge in STMA were 1080 and 6200 mg/L respectively. This showed the septage was more stabilised than the public toilet sludge. Co-composting FS, EFB and CPH was viable and the process lasted for 12 weeks, however not all treatment ratios produced sanitized co-composts. This was because the different feedstock affected the C/N ratio, temperature, pH and the microbial community in each treatment. The feedstock: FS, EFB and CPH in the ratio of 2: 2: 1 was found to be the best quality co-compost and this ratio supports the idea of using composting as a waste management solution as more human waste is used which can subsequently improve sanitation. The best growth media for tomato transplant production was compost and CRH ratio of 1:1, whiles the ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 0 was found to be optimum for pepper transplants. These ratios provided the optimum nutrient balance and EC for transplant growth. Compost tea had positive effect on both transplant growth, however it was comparable to the inorganic N fertilizer of 100 mg N/L for pepper transplants. Only 33% of vegetable farmers interviewed had knowledge about the use of human waste reuse. However, they were willing to compost FS and subsequently apply to their crops provided training could be offered to them.Item Indigenous knowledge and science-based predictors reliability and its implication for climate adaptation in Ghana(Taylor & Francis Group, 2021) Ankrah, D.A.; Kwapong, N.A.; Boateng, S.D.The study examined the reliability of indigenous knowledge and science-based predictors of climate and how this influences smallholder farmers’ practices and adaptations in Ghana’s three regions (Northern, Western and Volta regions). Two districts were selected in each region: Builsa South and Zabzugu in Northern Region, Swefi Wiaso and Jomoro in Western Region, and Agotime-Ziope and Ketu North in Volta Region. The study employed purposive sampling involving 240 respondents. The findings show indigenous predictors of climate include the emergence of migratory birds, the direction of cloud formation, sun intensity, frog croaks and sprouting of new leaves on Emire, Shea, Tarmeranda and Baobab trees. An indigenous knowledge reliability index of 0.72 relative to 0.88 for science-based predictors was obtained, implying that both indigenous knowledge and science-based predictors are reliable indicators for forecasting weather. Indigenous knowledge and science-based predictors influence adaptation strategies through the cultivation of indigenous varieties, early or late planting, diversification of crops cultivated and the use of improved crop and drought-tolerant varieties. Governments in sub-Saharan Africa can consider tasking meteorological stations to harness indigenous and science-based predictors in daily forecasts towards adaptation and mitigation strategies.Item Influence of sustainable livelihood capital on climate variability adaptation strategies(Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 2023) Ankrah, D.A.; Anum, R.; Anaglo, J.N.; Boateng, S.D.This article argues that access to informational, financial, and human capital influences specific climate variability adaptation strategies. Even though this argument is highly supported within the conventional wisdom circle, the extant literature remains sparing, particularly covering non-arid spaces in the global south. Relying on cross-sectional data covering 150 smallholder crop farmers from southern Ghana, augmented with focus group discussions, we answer the research question: What is the relationship between access to financial, informational, and human capital and climate variability adaptation strategies in a peri-urban geography? The results were estimated using multivariate probit regression. The findings showed that informational, financial, and human capital significantly influenced climate variability adaptation strategies. Specifically, informational capital significantly influenced organic manure application and irrigation. Financial capital through savings significantly influenced crop rotation. Formal and informal credit sources had no significant influence on climate variability adaptation strategies. Human capital - household labour significantly influenced mixed cropping, organic manure, and irrigation. Formal financial institutions are encouraged to adapt tailor-made requirements that are sensitive to the high-level informalities pertaining to peasant farming. And consider reducing loan interest rates to foster financial inclusion. Governments in sub-Saharan Africa could target improving farmers access to informational, financial, and human capital to build resilient climate variability adaptations.Item Information and communication technology availability, access and use by Agricultural Extension Agents and Farmers in Dangme East Region(Journal of Ghana Science Association, 2010) Adjoe, C.; Freeman, C.K.; Boateng, S.D.Ghana’s agricultural extension has not experienced substantial chance in its mode of information dissemination. This study seeks to examine the extent of access and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and farmers and how they harness their potentials in their agricultural activities. Dangme East District in South-East Ghana was purposively selected for this study. A multi-stage cluster sampling procedure was used to randomly select 120 small scale farmers and 21 AEAs from three villages in the three agricultural zones in the district. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Results showed that apart from computer and Internet which were not available, all AEAs and most farmers have personal access to mobile phone, television and radio which they use to source and communicate agricultural information. However, for decisions with regard to production, input acquisition up to marketing of farm produce, farmers to a large extent depend more on non-ICT sources. On the other hand, for meteorological information, farmers depend more on radio, television and mobile phone. There was significant relationship p=(0.00) and 0.042) between farmers extent of access to mobile phone and radio and its use in agricultural activities. Also, there was s significant different p=(0.03) between extents of access to T.V. and how often farmers used it in their agricultural activities. There is a great scope and potential for agricultural extension service to explore the use of television, radio and mobile phone to enhance farmers’ access to timely agricultural information.Item Use of Human Urine and Other Soil Amendments in Tomato and Pepper Production(University of Ghana, 2013-06) Adjoa, A.M.; Ofosu-Budu, K.G.; Boateng, S.D.; Amoah, P.; International Water Management Institute (IWMI)Human urine is a valuable plant nutrient resource however; there is very little information on using urine. This research examined the use of human urine as nutrient source as well as biochar and compost as growing media for tomato (cv M2) and pepper (Capsicum annum cv bird eye) production. This was studied under greenhouse and field conditions. It further examined the perception and willingness of farmers, marketers’ and consumers to grow, sell and consume vegetables fertilized with urine. The green house experiment was designed using biochar alone and biochar amended with compost (1:1v/v) as growing media. It further evaluated different nutrient sources- urine diluted at the ratio 1: 6, 1: 5, 1: 4 urine/water (urine treatments); 30mg N/L, 50mg N/L and 70mg N/ L (inorganic treatments) and water as a control.. Seedlings were dipped into the nutrient solutions until saturation through capillary action for three weeks. Similarly, a pot experiment was carried out under field conditions using a split plot design. Diluted urine (1:4 urine/water ratio) applied once, twice and thrice a week on five different media treatments were evaluated. The media treatments were; (1) Soil + RHB 1:1; (2) Soil + Compost 1:1; (3) Soil+ Compost+ RHB 1:1:1; (4) Soil + Compost+ RHB 1:1:2 (5) Soil + Compost+ RHB 1:2:1. Applications of inorganic fertilizer and water were used as controls. Vegetative parameters such as chlorophyll content, plant height, dry matter, stem diameter, number of leaves and root to shoot ratio, yield and yield components were monitored. It was observed that, when biochar was amended with compost, all vegetative parameters increased significantly than biochar alone. For instance, compost amended media increased tomato plant height and root length by 2.4 fold and 3.3 fold while biochar alone increased by just over 100% and 1.2 folds respectively. In the nutrient sources treatments, it was also observed that the shoot dry weight of tomato transplant produced by DU 1:6 (0.46 mg/plant) was comparable to that produced by In-Fert 1 (0.49 mg/plant) and In-Fert 3 (0.42 mg/plant) treatments. In the field, the highest yield 961 g/plant and fruit numbers 60 fruits/plant was in plants grown in Soil + Compost+ RHB 1:1:2 fertigated with 0.45 g N/pot. This was 37% and 5.3 fold greater than in the inorganic fertilizer and (water) treatments (p<0.05). Generally, corresponding decreases in yield were recorded with high irrigation frequencies. The questionnaire survey revealed that most respondents were not aware of urine as fertilizer. Farmers were willing to use urine if it will improve agriculture. Marketers were not willing to disclose to their clients if the vegetables are fertilized with urine. Some consumers were willing to consume urine fertilized crop if only it was safe to consume. The study concluded that urine combined with compost and biochar is a good source of plant nutrients, especially nitrogen.