Department of Agricultural Extension

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The Influence Of Capacity Building Projects On Farmer Innovative Performance And Poverty Reduction: The Case Of USAID Feed The Future Projects In Northern Ghana
(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Odonkor, E.N.
Capacity building constitutes an integral part of development assistance that seeks to build the understanding, skills, and knowledge base of individuals and institutions in developing countries in a bid to improve the productivity of agriculture. Out of about 41.2% of the economically active people who are engaged in agriculture in Ghana, 72% are in northern Ghana. The study set out to investigate how farmer participation in the USAID Feed the Future Initiative capacity- building activities influenced their innovative performance and how that affected their yields in northern Ghana. The study also examined the relationship between the yields of the selected crops and the incomes, food security, and well-being of the farmers in that part of the country. The study was conducted in eight districts in all the five northern regions in Ghana. The study adopted a mixed-method approach and therefore used both qualitative and quantitative data. Using a survey and focus group discussions, data was collected from 314 farmers who participated in the selected capacity-building projects of the USAID FTF initiative in Ghana. The data was analysed with descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon sign ranked test, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, Chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The study revealed that farmer participation in the USAID FTF capacity-building projects influenced their innovative performance in terms of the utilization and sharing of the knowledge and skills acquired from the project activities. The majority of the farmers acquired high knowledge, and a majority are also practicing what they have learnt. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that utilization of knowledge and information sharing impacted innovative performance as compared to knowledge acquisition alone. However not many of the farmers are sharing information about the things they have learned. This affected their innovative performance. As a result, farmer innovative performance did not influence the yield of the selected crops as was expected. However, the yields of the crops improved after farmers participated in the project activities. It was also revealed that there is a significant relationship between farmers’ crop productivity and their incomes which was expected to impact their food security and well-being. Although there was a significant relationship between maize productivity and food security, there was no significant relationship between rice and soybean productivity and food security. There was statistically significant relationship between rice and soybean productivity and farmers’ well-being but no statistically significant relationship between maize productivity and well-being. Generally, there is perceived improvement in income, food security and well-being of the farmers after participating in the project activities. This implies that the capacity building projects have impacted poverty positively and have enhanced poverty mitigation in northern Ghana. The study recommends that government policies and programmes meant to improve farmer innovativeness should target building the capacity of farmers through field demonstrations. Government policies should also support innovative farmers to lead farmer to farmer extension. It is also recommended that effort must be put into the continuous improvement of maize productivity to boost farmers’ incomes and enhance their well-being in northern Ghana.
Enterprise Factors and Enterprise Growth of the Cassava Industry in Akuapem-North Municipality of the Eastern Region, Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2020-07) Mbawini, A.
Several factors influence the establishment, effective management and success of enterprises. These factors can be categorised under pre- and post- establishment factors and although they affect the successful establishment and growth of enterprises, much attention have not been paid to them. The failure of some businesses could be linked with non-adherence to and inclusion of the factors in the establishment process as well as management practices. Pre-establishment factors include enterprise characteristics, knowledge of fund availability, knowledge of business information, and entrepreneur’s expertise whiles Post-establishment factors entail business survival objectives, sociocultural environment, business environment, and human resource development. This study sought to determine how enterprise factors contribute to the growth of enterprise and how this growth contributes to the attainment of improved livelihood outcomes in the cassava industry. A mixed method study design was used in this study. A total of 200 entrepreneurs from the cassava industry were interviewed. The study revealed that consumer need showed significant association (𝜌= 0.01, 0.01 and 0.01) with employment, sales and technology growth factors respectively. The type of agro enterprise (ρ= 0.01) and access to business information (ρ= 0.03) were significantly related to technology growth. Knowledge of fund availability (ρ= 0.01) was also significantly related to employment growth. Post establishment business environment (ρ= 0.01) was significantly related to sales growth. The findings of the study revealed a significant relationship between sales growth (ρ= 0.04) variables and improved health but was not significant with employment growth (ρ= 0.25) and technology growth (ρ= 0.05). The results also showed significant relationship between sales (ρ= 0.03), technology (ρ= 0.02) and employment (ρ= 0.02) growth factors. From the findings of this study, it is recommended that there should be technology training, and education on available funding sources.
Content Analysis of Agricultural Information Coverage By the Ghanaian National Newspaper, Daily- Graphic From January 2014 - December 2015.
(University of Ghana, 2017-07) Vinyo, Y.F.
Following reports on poor accessibility of agricultural information and its consequential declining in agricultural growth in the country, this study sought to investigate the role played by the stateowned newspaper (Daily Graphic) to improving access to agricultural information in the country. Content analysis was used as the research design of this study. Secondary data was collected from the Daily Graphic newspaper for the analysis of this study between the period of January 2014 and December 2015. A sample size of 192 editions out of a total population of 576 editions of the newspaper was analysed during the period. The study revealed that only 3% of the total news published by the newspaper during the period was agricultural news. Agricultural news published in the newspaper during the period under study was in six categories namely; hard news, editorial, opinion, advertisement, letter to editor and feature. The highest frequency of agricultural news covered were found in the categories of Advertisements and Hard news, thus 61% and 31% respectively followed by 2% in the editorial category, 4% in the Opinion category and 1% in both the Feature and Letter to the Editor categories each. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the agricultural news published were reported at the less read pages of the newspaper, whiles agricultural news items reported at the front pages, back pages and the centre spread pages of the newspaper were also 1%, 3% and 1 % respectively. The study recommended amongst other things that managers of the state newspaper must engage line reporters or journalists purposely for reporting agricultural sensitive news in the country in order to improve upon its agricultural information coverage.
The Influence Of Agricultural Information Sources On The Practices And Livelihood Outcomes Of Cassava Farmers In Upper West Akim District
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Antwi, G.
Cassava farmers in the district have a variety of information needs; however, these information requirements are unmet by the public extension agents who are mandated to deliver agricultural information to the farmers. The main objective of the study was therefore to determine the sources of agricultural information available and its influence on the farm practices and livelihood outcomes of the cassava farmers in the district. The survey research methodology was employed, and used multi-stage sampling to select 200 farmers from the communities for the study. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. The data collected was stored and analyzed using SPSS Version 21 Software. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used in analyzing the data. Chi-square test of independence was the main inferential statistical tool employed in the analysis of the data because most of the variables of interest were measured on nominal and ordinal scale. The study showed that the sources of agricultural information mainly used by the cassava farmers were fellow farmers (82%), radio (66%), agricultural extension agents (46%), input dealers (38%) and with the least source used being newspapers/agricultural bulletins (6.5%). The study also found that age, farming experience and land tenure arrangement of the farmers significantly influenced sources from which agricultural information were obtained. It was also noted that, although, majority of the farmers sourced for agronomic, market and credit information, it was only credit information which was found to have a significant influence on the farm practices undertaken by the farmers. A statistically significant relationship was observed between farmer’s agricultural practice and their level of yield and income but not well-being and food security. It was recommended that extension officers in the district should extend credit information to the farmers and assist them to access credit. This may ensure that agricultural information obtained by the cassava farmers can be put into practice in other to improve their livelihood outcomes.
A Comparative Study of the Representational Capacity of Three Apex Farmer Organisations in Ghana
(University Of Ghana, 2015-05) Amoako, B.O
Most Apex Farmer Organisations continually state as part of their mission and objectives that they exist to “represent farmers’ interests and give farmers a voice”; however, most farmers’ have not benefitted much from these Apex Farmer Organisations. The study was structured to assess the representational capacity of three Apex Farmer Organisations in Ghana: Apex Farmer Organisation of Ghana (ApFOG), Ghana Cocoa Coffee Sheanut Farmers’ Association (GCCSFA) and Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG); in representing the interests of their primary farmer groups and meeting the expectations of the farmers’. This study used the case study/ survey research methodology with a sample size of 205 farmers and leaders of the Apex organisations within the Central, Eastern and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. Primary data was collected by the use of interviews and questionnaires. Data was analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics. Using the three different dimensions of capacity representation namely: formal, descriptive and participatory representation; the study found that all three organisations have some form of formal representation but are low in participatory representation. However, ApFOG and GCCSFA had a high descriptive representation score than PFAG. Externally, they are all affected by the economy and policy situation of the country. In satisfying the needs of the farmers with regards to certain services, using the Kruskal-Wallis test, GCCSFA ranked highest, followed by ApFOG and then PFAG. It can be recommended that, these three Apex Farmers’ Organisations need to restructure and make their farmers aware of what they do and interact more with their farmers so that the farmers do not have expectations that the Apex organisations cannot meet.
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 Extension
The 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.
Effects of Migration on the Livelihood of Rural Households in the Kpando District of the Volta Region
(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Kessie, G.K.; Atengdem, P.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences School of Agriculture Department of Agricultural Extension
The main objective of this study is to assess the causes of labour migration, low food crop production and remittance linkages on the livelihood of rural households in the Kpando District. The researcher used survey design to elicit information from 202 heads of non-migrants’ households within the study area. The households used for the study were selected by cluster sampling and information was elicited from them through personal interview and a structured questionnaire. Data for this study were edited, coded and analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) and inferential statistics. The New Economics of Labour Migration, the “Push- Pull” Model and Todaro Model of Migration were used. The sustainable livelihood framework was used to analyse the effects. The results revealed that, majority of rural households in Kpando district were involved in migration, and migration is an important part of their income. Findings showed that people may decide to migrate when their rural economy is disrupted. Such decisions could be as a result of natural catastrophe such as: flood, drought, insects and pests’ infestation, disease problems, infertile soil, lack of arable land for cultivation, communal clashes, family dispute and other adversities. The study found out that migration and remittance showed statistical significant difference compared to agricultural income, hence the decision to migrate. The results obtained from the study on the impact of migration on food crop production, come to validate all three theories. Findings revealed that farmers do not have access to financial support, the few farmers who had financial support from various sources had said it was inadequate for optimum production. The migration of people from food crop production areas affects food crop production negatively - high cost of human labour, increasing the cost of food production in the study area.
Relevance of Agricultural Education in the Second Cycle Level of Education in the Greater Accra Region
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Sekor, H.K.; Anaglo, J.N.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences School of Agriculture Department of Agricultural Extension
Though it is government policy to modernize the agricultural sector and make it a catalyst for rural transformation making Ghana an agro-industrialized country, very few students pursue agricultural programme as compared to other programmes at the SHS level. These students who pursues the agricultural programme do not match up to the standard in terms of skill acquisition to meet the job market hence tend to be ‘job seekers’ and end up in other sectors. The main objective of the study was to find out factors that influence the choice of agricultural program at SHS level and the extent to which teaching and learning material or resources influence agricultural skill development. The study employed the survey design, using quantitative analysis. A sample size of 340 was used comprising of 310 students, 15 guidance and counselling coordinator as well as 15 heads of agricultural science department. Questionnaire was the main data collection instrument used. The analysis included tabulation and computation of chi-square test, frequencies and percentages. The study revealed that School Guidance and Counselling (SGC) services provided significantly influenced students’ choice of agricultural program at the SHS level. The study also identified other factors which significantly influenced students’ choice of agricultural program at this level, which include job market, people in the agro-business, BECE result and using the program as a stepping stone. The study further revealed the significance of teaching and learning material or resources in the development of agricultural skills by students. Based on this findings, it has been recommended that, guidance and counselling should be made effective at the JHS level so as to get pupil informed about what pertain at the SHS level especially career choice, more SHS should be encouraged to add agricultural program to their already run program and adequate teaching materials should be provided to enable students develop the requisite skills to meet the job market or even become self-employed.
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 Extension
The 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.
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 Extension
Cocoa 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.
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 Extension
The 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.
Relevance of the Training and Visit Extension Messages in the Multiple Cropping System in Wa District of The Upper West Region, Ghana
(University of Ghana, 1998-12) Insah, A.M.; Atengdem, P.B.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension
Sub-Saharan Africa depends on agriculture for economic growth and the well being of its people. The sub-region, and indeed the whole of Africa, has been losing a running battle to make agricultural production meet the ever-increasing population. To make food production cope with the population growth and to achieve economic development, many extension models have been tried. Currently the pre-dominant extension system in Africa is the Training and Visit extension system. In Ghana the system was introduced first in the then Upper Region (now Upper West and Upper East regions) in 1978 as part of the Upper Region Development Project (URADEP). Despite the use of the system in the region for more than 15 years, there is no significant success in food production. In the case of W a District per capita food production has actually declined. There is concern that the nature of extension messages that are delivered under the Training and Visit extension system may not be relevant to multiple cropping systems and in rainfed agriculture (Axinn 1991). The people of Wa District practice multiple cropping system in addition to the raising of livestock. They also depend on rainfed agriculture. The objective of the study was therefore, to find out whether messages communicated in the Training and Visit approach is relevant in the prevalent multiple cropping system in the Wa District of the Upper West Region of Ghana. The population of the study comprised of all farmers living and farming within the Wa District. It also includes the extension agents operating in the area. Two samples were used for the study: - (i) 100 farmer respondents and (ii) 15 extension agent respondents. The farmer respondents consisted of 50 contact farmers and 50 noncontact farmers of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Simple random sampling was used for the selection of contact farmers and purposive sampling for noncontact farmers. A structured interview schedule was used to collect information from the farmer respondents and a questionnaire was administered to the extension agents. Data collected was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using appropriate statistical methods. Chi-square tests was used to establish the statistical significance and relations between variables. The probability level used was 0.05. The sampled farming population was ageing one with a mean age of 45 years. Majority of the farmers had no formal education. Females and the youth were seldom involved in extension activities. The farmers were not generally involved in their needs identification but had good relations with the extension agents. Information provided was top-down. The information was timely and the farmers were satisfied about the way information was presented to them. They found the information to meet their needs. There was a significant difference in relevance of information to farmers practising the various cropping systems, as sole croppers find extension messages delivered far relevant than mixed croppers (x2=5.8, df=1 p<0.05). The availability of inputs, credit and rainfall were the basic hindrances to the utilisation of the information. Information flow from the contact farmers to the noncontact farmers occurs at lower level than expected in theory. The main source of information to the contact farmers was the extension agents. For the noncontact farmers their main source of information was other farmers and neighbours. To make the information relevant to all farmers, it is recommended that, farmers must necessarily be involved in their need identification, selection of contact farmers should be left to the farmers themselves and research should be done to find ways of increasing the relevance of extension messages to multiple crop farmers
Farmer’s participation in the transfer of improved maize production technology in Ghana: A case study of maize farmers in some areas of Fanteakwa and east Akim districts.
(University of Ghana, 1994-09) Ackah-Nyamike, E.E.; Geker, E.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension
The task of agricultural extension in Africa will for some time be mainly concerned with the transfer of agricultural technologies to farmers, This is because of the pressure on farmers to increase food production rapidly to match population increases and Agricultural Extension Services' belief that improved food production technologies do exist which, if adopted by the farmers, would significantly increase their food production from the present levels. Farmers' participation with agricultural extension agents was necessary to make them aware of improved maize production practices, and also to enhance their adoption of those practices. However, it did not really matter which extension participatory approach was used. This is because, although the two extension programmes studied (PPP and DAES) used different participatory approaches to deliver similar extension messages (improved maize production practices), the proportion of farmers in each group that used the various improved maize production practices was not significantly different.
Factors Influencing Women Farmers’ Participation in Extension Activities in Savelugu/Nanton and Tamale Districts Northern Region Ghana
(University of Ghana, 1997-12) Kaleem, A.; Geker, J.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension
The important contribution of Women in the Northern Region of Ghana to Agricultural Production, processing and marketing cannot be overlooked. Available data and personal observation show that women do most of the work on the farm. Women in direct food production either help their husbands on the farm or are themselves owners of farms. Farm activities (such as planting, weeding, fertilizer application, threshing and storage) are done by women. In addition, they are responsible for the time -consuming tasks associated with preservation and processing of farm produce. This therefore, calls for the delivery of appropriate extension messages to women based on their needs as a result of the roles they perform but this is not the case. Women are often marginalised by extension agents in the Northern Region during extension delivery. The study was therefore conducted to find out factors influencing women farmers’ participation in extension activities (attendance to meetings, field days, excursions, home visits, farm visits, demonstrations). The survey methipd was employed to collect qualitative and quantitative data. The target population of the study included all women farmers and extension agents in Savelugu/Nanton and Tamale districts of the Northern Region of Ghana. A total sample size of ninety-six women and sixteen extension agents were selected using random sampling technique. Primary and secondary data were collected for the study. Instruments used in collecting primary data were a self-administered questionnaire for field extension agents, and interview schedule for farmers. Secondary data was collected from annual reports and annual programme of work of the two districts, Regional WIAD office, and Regional Agricultural Extension Office as well as policy documents obtained from the headquarters of the Department of Agricultural Extension Services. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) The findings of the survey revealed that, women contribute immensely towards agricultural production in the study area by engaging in the production of food crops, cash crops, and domestic animals. However, the study revealed that only 30 percent of women in Tamale District were contacted by extension agents. In Savulegu/Nanton District where the IFAD sponsored S.RD.P gave financial support to women for farming and income-generating activities, and where the extension agents were given gender-sensitive training, 50 percent of the women were contacted. Factors influencing their participation in extension activities are: - lack of access to productive resources (land, capital, labour) socio-cultural factors (such as difficulty in traveling outside their communities, domestic chores, reproductive/childcare responsibilities and off-farm income-generating activities.) women farmers do not meet most of the criteria used in selecting contact farmers extension agents’ perception that women do not have decision-making authority concerning farming within the household as a result, cannot implement recommendations. - obstacles encountered by extension agents when contacting women due to socio-cultural norms. - lack of institutional mechanisms in place to ensure that extension agents contact women farmers and the absence of policies that aim at integrating women into the agricultural development process. The conclusions drawn from the findings are that, women farmers contribute significantly to agricultural production by cultivating food and cash crops and vegetables but are rarely involved in extension activities. This is attributed to the fact that: ♦ Due to lack of access to productive resources (land, labour and capital), they often find it difficult to implement improved farming techniques recommended to them by extension agents. ♦ Socio-cultural factors (e.g domestic chores, marital and childcare responsibilities) prevent them from participating in extension activities. ♦ Women do not meet most of the criteria used in selecting contact farmers (e.g. land ownership, ability to travel outside the community for training courses). ♦ Extension agents face obstacles when contacting women during their extension duties. This often discourage them from involving women in their extension activities. ♦ .There are no institutional procedures put in place to ensure that women farmers are reached by extension. Recommendations are made for policy makers and extension administrators to come out with policies and strategies for integrating women farmers’ needs and concerns into the agricultural development process. These include: institution of credit facilities for women farmers to purchase farming inputs, implements and processing machines. - the adoption of group approach to contacting women farmers - organization of separate functions for men and women so as to enable women feel free to talk or contribute to discussions selection of extension methods that are convenient for women farmers to attend criteria for the selection of contact farmers should be reviewed in order to enable women farmers qualify as contact farmers gender sensitizing training should be organized for extension agents(both male and female) to equip them with the tools /skills necessaty to work with women farmers targets should be set for the number of men and women farmers to be involved in each extension activity conducted by extension agents. Formats for reporting attendance by sex during extension activities should be designed for extension agents. Policies formulated by the Department of Agricultural Extension Services(D.A.E.S) should emphasize the need to work with women farmers The demonstration home concept should be extended to all the districts in the Northern Region since it has proven very effective as a strategy in reaching women farmers in the IFAD/SRDP operational areas and so is the women volunteer approach
The Silviculture, Growth and Yield Of Neem (Azadirachta Indica A. Juss.) Plantations in Northern Ghana
(University of Ghana, 1996-12) Nanang, D.M; Day, R.J; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension
Nanang, D. M. 1996. The silviculture, growth and yield of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) plantations in Northern Ghana. 94 pp. MscF Thesis, Faculty of Forestry, Lakehead University. Advisor: Prof. R. J. Day. Key Words: Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Neem, Northern Ghana, Silviculture, Tamale Forest District, Volume Tables, Yield Table. The silviculture and growth and yield of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) grown in individual and community plantations in the Tamale Forest District of Northern Ghana was investigated in 1995. Owing to rising populations and an increasing demand for agricultural land, shortages of wood for poles, rafters and fuel are increasing. Plantations of neem and other exotic species were rapidly expanded from 1989 to minimize the effect of the forthcoming shortage and to guarantee wood products for village communities. The current silviculture for neem in Northern Ghana is adequate for present levels of plantation establishment but will have to improve as the area planted expands. The principal changes will be seed collection from superior phenotypes, improvement in nursery and outplanting practice, closer initial spacing, and thinning. The measurement of 120 temporary sample plots in 30 plantations varying in age from one to nine years in the Tamale Forest District provided the data for the construction of local and standard volume table equations and the development of an empirical yield table. The Yield Table showed that the mean annual increment of Site Class I, II and III neem plantations was 12.9, 8.1 and 4.3 m3/ha on biologically optimum rotations of 5, 7 and 11 years respectively. The three-parameter Weibull probability density function, the Normal and the Log-normal distributions were used to fit the diameter distributions of the neem plantations. Comparisons of the observed and predicted diameter frequencies indicate that the Log-normal distribution gave the best description of the diameter distributions, though the Weibull function was also found to be suitable.
The Effect of Training on Extension Workers’ Performance: A Case Study of Front Line Staff in the Suhijm Kraboacoaltar and West Akim Districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana
(University of Ghana, 1998-06) Gyenfie, J.N.; Sakyi-Dawson, O.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension
Despite concerted effort at improving the extension delivery in Ghana, the performance of the Front Line Staff of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s Extension Services has been lower than expected. It is expected that among others, appropriate training will enhance their performance. However it is not clear what the nature and content of such training should be. The study therefore was to find out whether the content of training provided to the extension workers affected their performance and if so which content is likely to enhance performance. The study was guided by the assumption that farmers have needs, some of which are their training needs. That for the extension workers to be able to provide appropriate training to farmers, they should be trained in those needs. This is likely to enhance extension worker performance. A survey was conducted in the Suhum Kraboa-Coaltar and West Akim districts of the Eastern Region of Ghana using a checklist and survey questionnaire to collect information from the FLS and their farmers. Data collected included the content of training FLS have received, needs of farmers and the nature and content of messages farmers have received from their FLS, and their adoption behaviour. It was found that there was no difference between the farmers of FLS who have received wide and those with narrow knowledge with regard to adoption. However , farmers tended to adopt technologies in which the Front Line Staff received adequate training Personal characteristics such as educational background, total farmland available, and purpose of farming are important factors affecting adoption patterns. The findings indicate that the span of knowledge received by the FLS during training is not an important determinant of adoption behaviour of fanners, rather it is important that Front Line Staff are provided wit in-depth training in activities that farmers are engaged in. It is concluded that training in a wide range of subjects without going into details would not enhance adoption. This is critical, especially in the Training and Visit (T&V) management system where there is regular training. Such training should aim not only to increase span but in addition the content should be detailed. Personal characteristics such as educational background, access to land and purpose of farming are likely to be important basis of demarcating recommendation domains for extension messages.
The Effect of Participation of Non-Governmental Organisations in Extension Delivery on Farmers’ Accessibility to Information
(University of Ghana, 2002-08) Aidoo-Mensah, D.; Atengdem, P.B.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension
The dissemination of the relevant information for agricultural production is the institutional duty of all stakeholders committed to the development of agriculture of which the agricultural extension agent and his organisation play a prominent role. As a formal public (government funded) institution, the agricultural extension service has been observed to be undergoing a period of change in respect to the provision of material and financial resources to carry extension activities. As a result, many farmers cannot be reached by the government funded extension services. Data analysis from FAO reports indicate that in Africa, two out of every three farmers have no contact with the public extension services. For this reason, many attempts have been made to resolve this issue. Such attempts include improving management of available resources (both material and financial), A seeking external assistance to support government funded extension activities, use of investment fund to finance extension activities and networking with an NGO. This study therefore looked at the option of networking with NGOs as an attempt of improving upon farmers’ accessibility^to information. It is widely recognised that throughout the world particularly in the developing countries NGOs play important roles in agricultural production. These NGOs may be local, national or international. Funding agencies have been observed to see the NGOs in a more favourable light hence their willingness to support activities undertaken by these NGOs. This study, which was conducted in the Dangme West district of the Greater Accra region purposively, sampled one hundred (100) farmers of which fifty (50) have access to an NGO as well as MOFA activities through their extension agents whilst the remaining fifty (50) had access to only MOFA extension delivery activities. To further allow comparison of opinions and to validate the information obtained from the farmers, AEAs who work with the two categories of farmers were interviewed. The study employed interview schedule and questionnaires to both fanners and AEAs to obtain responses to specific variables to meet the objectives of the study. Based on the fanners’ criteria, accessibility to information was discussed under the following: availability of information to farmers, understanding of information received, usefulness/acceptance of information and timeliness of information. Responses analysed for majority of AEAs and farmers indicated there is a significant difference in farmers’ accessibility to information when MOFA is in collaboration with an NGO on one hand and when MOFA is working alone on the other hand. The findings of the study include the fact that MOFA-NGO network was observed to enhance farmers’ accessibility to information in such areas as availability, understanding and timeliness of information disseminated to farmers. It is therefore recommended that there should be the need for more collaboration between financially handicapped government departments and NGOs as a means to help make services offered by such departments more accessible to their clients as well as improving upon the quality of such services.
Diffusion and Adoption of the Chorkor Smoker In Tema U Compound
(University of Ghana, 1992-10) Buadi, D. K.; Ladele, A. A.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension
The main objective of the research is to study the processes in the introduction of the Chorkor smoker and to determine the factors which the fishsmokers consider in the adoption of the Chorkor smoker. Qualitative research methodology was used for the study. The main data gathering device was individual interview using an interview guide. Data were collected from the individual fishmokers and the extension agents. The data were coded and analyzed. The results are: (1) the influence of the larger community is an important factor influencing the adoption of the Chorkor smoker. They are deterrents to adoption. (2) The source from which fishsmokers seek information about innovations and the extent to which they seek information are important factors which influenced the innovativeness of the extension-aided adopters (3) information provided by change agents and/or opinion leaders are either lost or given! different rheanings/interpretations by clientele (4) the meetings and demonstrations helped the fishsmokers to develop favourable attitude towards the Chorkor smoker (5) groups offer an effective medium for the introduction and acceptance of innovations (6) the size of a fishsmoker's enterprise is ar important factor in the adoption of the Chorkor smoker (7) the age and education of respondents are not important factors influencing innovativeness of those who obtained extension assistance,(8) age is not an important factor influencing the adoption of the Chorkor smoker by the three groups namely adopters who had extension contact, adopters who did not benefit from extension contact and non-adopters (9) the two attributes, savings on fuelwood and fast rate of fish smoking, are the most important attributes which favoured the adoption of the Chorkor smoker. The following recomendations were also provide to assist change agents (1) extension agents must endeavour to know the fish smoker in her social context (2) education should be carried out to allay the fears of fishsmokers and (3) extension should target large scale fishsmokers when introducing the Chorkor smoker into a new community
The Influence of Gender Relations on Extension Delivery in Dangme West District of Ghana
(University of Ghana, 1999-04) Akotia, E.R; Fiadjoe, F.Y.M.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension
Extension delivery involves a relationship between an extension agent and a farmer who participates in extension activities. The general perception of the extension services in Ghana is that it is skewed positively towards men as against women farmers. This study was therefore directed towards looking at the nature of gender relations between extension agents and farmers to find out how it affects extension delivery. The study was conceptualized with ‘gender1 as a social construct that defines the roles and responsibilities of men and women in society and ‘extension delivery’ as a social interaction between extension agents and farmers. The social interaction is characterised by interpersonal relationship, conceptualised as a A'' system composed of internal and external. The internal components are characterized by interaction, sentiments and activities operating between the agent and farmer; (Homans, 1951). These are elaborated the external components made up of the extension organisation, agents and the farmers social system. The elements of interaction measured in the study were acquaintance, frequency and duration of interaction. Sentiments in this study were measured by its intensity, that is, the feeling of liking, sentience, trust, reciprocation and group size. Activities were measured by involvement and relevance. Participation was conceptualised as taking part or Cupertino in extension activities. The study was conducted in the Dangme West District, an agricultural District in the Greater Accra Region with a purposive sample of 62 men and 44 women from ten villages that had experienced the services of both male and female agents. All the extension agents in the district, 14 males and 3 females were administered with questionnaires, and the Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Services was also interviewed. The findings of the study confirmed that the relationship and participation in extension activities involving both male and female agents and farmers are skewed positively towards men as against women farmers. This skewed situation has come about as a result of the relatively lower status of women that makes men and not the women the recipients of agents visiting the household. This is compounded by constraints such as work overload and time that make it difficult for most women to avail themselves for extension activities. The agents lack of gender sensitivity and knowledge about gender and its effects on extension delivery captured by the fact that, the DAES has no strategies in place that is known to the agents by which they could reach women farmers, left the field staff operating as they wished. It was also found that farmers were indifferent to the gender of the agents, all they wanted was help from a government official. While both men and women farmers feel comfortable with female agents and vice versa, male agents felt more comfortable with men than women farmers. The main reason is the fear of suspicion of intimate relations between them by society. The male agent conducted more gender-neutral activities for both men and women farmers, while the female agents conducted gender neutral and women biased activities with women farmers, which are relevant to them. The study recommends that extension delivery to women farmers could be improved if the organisation translated its policy to reach women farmers into gender sensitive strategies. Also information for monitoring and evaluation of extension activities should be by segregated by gender. This would motivate front-line agents to make conscious efforts at reaching women farmers.
Constraints to the Adoption of the Yam Minisett Technology in the Northern Region, Ghana
(University of Ghana, 1999-03) Ekekpi, G. K.; Atengdam, P. B.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension
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.

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