Department of Agricultural Extension
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Item Comparison of Extension Delivery System available to Farmers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Ghana Tobacco Company Limited at Wenchi and Ejura District in Ghana(University of Ghana, 1981-08) Okrah, J.A.; Geker, J.K.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture,Department of Agricultural ExtensionThis study attempted to compare and contrast the effectiveness of the extension delivery systems available to farmers and staff of two agricultural institutions namely:- The Ministry of Agriculture (Government controlled and financed) and the Ghana Tobacco Company limited (a private participation). Specifically the study was designed to determines (1) The extension teaching methods used by the two organizations. (2 ) Farmers source of farm information. (3) The degree of contact between the farmers and the field extension staff and its effect or impact on agricultural extension and finally (4) To find out whether extension addressed itself to farmers needs and problems. The research findings were based upon a study of both food and cash crop fanners and field extension staff of the two organizations. The study revealed that the G.T.C. extension services to their farmers were more effective in terms of provision of production inputs and extension teaching methods used than those of the Ministry of Agriculture. The effectiveness of G.T.C. extension services seems to have been greatly enhanced by (1 ) the low staff/farmer ratio as compared to a high ratio of f' the Ministry of Agriculture. (2 ) The high mobility of G.T.C. staff and (3) The regularly monitored activities of G.T.C. staff by their supervisors. Both G.T.C. and the Ministry of Agriculture use group teaching method particularly, demonstration and farmers meeting as forms of educational instructions with their farmers. Both groups of farmers realise the positive contribution extension plays in their farming education and adoption of new practices but found extension staff effort to assist them woefully inadequate. lack of transportation, poor service conditions and lack of farm inputs were some of the problems hampering field extension staff in their work. Teaching methods and extension programmes designed were more service rather than education oriented.Item Comparison of Extension Delivery System Available to Farmers of the Ministry Of Agriculture and Ghana Tobacco Company Limited at Wenchi and Ejura Districts in Ghana(University of Ghana, 1981-08) Okrah, J. A.; Geker, J. K.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThis study attempted to compare and contrast the effectiveness of the extension delivery systems available to farmers and staff of two agricultural institutions namely- The Ministry of Agriculture (Government controlled and financed) and the Ghana Tobacco Company Limited (aprivate participation). Specifically, the study was designed to determine: (1) The extension teaching methods used by the Two organizations. (2) Farmers source of farm in formation. (3) The degree o f c o n ta c t between the farmers and The field extension staff and its effect or impact on agricultural extension and finally (4) To find out whether extension addressed itself To farmers needs and problems. The research findings were based upon a study of both food and cash Crop farmers and field extension staff of the two organizations. The study revealed that the G.T.C. extension services to their Farmers were more effective in terms of provision of production inputs and extension teaching methods used than those of the Ministry of Agriculture. The effectiveness of G.T.C. extension services seems to have been greatly Enhanced by (1) the low staff / farmer ratio as compared to a high ratio of the Ministry of Agriculture. (2) The high mobility of G.T.C. staff and (3) the regularly monitored activities of G.T.C. staff by their supervisors. Both G.T.C. and the Ministry of Agriculture use group teaching method particularly, demonstration and farmers meeting as forms of educational instructions with their farmers. Both groups of farmers realise the positive contribution extension plays in their farming education and adoption of new practices but found extension staff effort to assist them woeflly in adequate. Lack of transportation, poor service conditions and lack of farm inputs were some of the problems hampering field extension staff in their work. Teaching methods and extension programmes designed were more service rather than education oriented.Item 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 ExtensionThe 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 communityItem Food Habits, Nutrition Knowledge and Nutrient Intakes Of Adolescent Students in Selected Boarding Schools in Ghana(University of Ghana, 1993-09) Adigbo, E.C.H.; Opare-Obisaw, C.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture,Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe eating habits, nutrient intakes and nutrition knowledge of one hundred and forty adolescent students from four secondary schools in the central region of Ghana were investigated. Instruments used for the dator collection included questionnaires, food records, anthropometric measurements and observations. Data obtained were analysed using a computer and descriptive analysis was used to present the data. Jellife's anthropometric reference data, Kaufman's weight classification and Body Mass Index (BMI) were used to classify respondents as obese, overweight, normal or underweight. The sample was made up of 52% females and 48% males . Their mean age was sixteen years and most of their parents were highly educated and gainfully employed. Eating habits found to affect nutrient intakes of the respondents include breakfast skipping and snacking. Drug-related habits like alcohol intake was also found among a few. The majority of respondents were taking nutrient supplements. Nutrition knowledge was generally poor. Meals served in the dining halls of all the schools studied did not meet the energy requirements of the adolescents. Even when the respondents supplemented the dining hall meals with extras from elsewhere, the calories obtained were still below the FAO recommended nutrient intakes, especially for the 16 to 18 year old males. The weights of the majority of this age group was below that of Jellifes' reference group. The growth performance of the majority of the students was poor. Respondents were getting one-third of their daily nutrient intakes from extra foods eaten outside the dining hall. There were occurrences of underweight and overweight. The findings of the study strongly urge school authorities to ensure that meals provided for students are well prepared and served injsufficient quantities. Fly proof nets should also be used in the kitchens. There is also no doubt that nutrition knowledge of adolescents should be improved in order that they would make proper food choices. Food vendors on the school campuses must be screened and supervised so that food bought is wholesome. Education on dangers of drug-related habits like alcohol consumption should be intensified, to forestall the spread of the habit among the adolescents. Parents would either have to agree to pay a higher amount of fees for the improvement of meals in the schools or continue to provide extra food and more pocket money for their wards if they must be well nourished. Schools should intensify their agricultural activities and make school farms where some of the food commodities could be obtained.Item 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 ExtensionThe 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.Item 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 ExtensionNanang, 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.Item The Effects of Extension Services on Shallot Farming in the Anloga Area with Respect to the Adoption of Innovations(University of Ghana, 1997-06) Zikpui, D.S.K.; Fiadjoe, F.Y.M.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe study examined the innovations introduced into the shallot farming in the Anloga area, and how they were introduced to the shallot fanners. The main aim of this study being to find out the effects o f the extension services on shallot farming in the Anloga area o f the Volta Region. In all, 192 shallot farmers aged between 18-57 years; and six extension agents of the Ministry o f Food and Agriculture (MoFA) were studied. Separate structured questionnaires with both open ended and closed ended questions were used to collect data from the shallot farmers made up o f both extension follower farmers who belong to extension groups and other fanners who do not belong to any o f the extension groups and six agricultural extension agents in the study area. The data collected were analysed to address the main concerns o f the study, viz; i) what the shallot farmers and the extension agents consider as innovations in the shallot farming. ii) the extension methods used in introducing the innovations to the farmers, and the sources from which information about the innovations were delivered to the farmers. iii) the changes or outcomes brought brought about to the fanners as a result 6f the use o f the innovations. Using percentage frequency distributions and cross tabulations, the study evealed that both the respondent shallot farmers and the extension agents in the Anloga area have a common understanding or meaning o f what innovations are. The re su lt Hirther showed that though the shallot farmers were introduced to the innovations from different sources such as extension agents, sellers o f farm inputs, including Farmers’ Services Company (FASCOM), Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), publications, and farmer friends, majority o f them were introduced to the innovations and received information about the innovations from their farmer friends. Also the respondent shallot farmers readily and continuously received information about the innovation more from their farmer friends than from the other sources. The study also showed that verbal explanations by farmer friends and watching the examples (demonstrations) o f farmer friends were the main methods by which the respondent farmers learnt how to use the innovations. In addition, the results revealed that majority o f the respondent shallot farmers preferred the verbal explanation o f their farmer friends than the verbal explanations and demonstrations o f the extension agents. Though the results revealed that the majority o f the respondent shallot farmers agreed that the innovations introduced have brought changes such as increase yields, increase in number o f farm beds cultivated and effective pest control, into shallot farming in the Anloga area, majority o f the respondent farmers would not attribute such changes to extension activities. The main recommendations are that the extension agents and in fact all those interested in introducing innovations to the shallot farmers in Anloga should strive to form functional groups o f farmers with whom they should work. Secondly, local farm research should be encouraged and conducted on the cultivation o f the non traditional food crops and vegetables to generate production (extension) recommendations that could be acceptable to the farmers. Thirdly the use o f the contact farmers (other farmers) should be widened and intensified in order to facilitate the dissemination o f ideas and information among wider spectrum of farmers.Item Working with Farmers' Groups, An Extension Experience(University of Ghana, 1997-06) Yeboah, A.; Fiadjoe, F.Y.M.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe study aimed at researching into the prevailing farmers' groups and examine the capability of the nature of farmers' groups and extension interactions with them to influence the expected improvements in their farming activities. The study was carried out in the West Akim district of the eastern region of Ghana. All the twelve FLS in the field as well as the two extension supervisors in the district were interviewed. Fourteen extension farmers' groups and four non-extension farmers' groups were interviewed from five sub-districts. From each farmers' group interviewed five of its members were randomly selected and interviewed. A total of 84 individual farmers were consequently covered in the study. Four other extension supervisors from the DAES as well as three from other extension organisations involved in the study were also interviewed. They included officers in charge of field operations in the district, regional and national headquarters. Data collection started from 14th November 1995 and ended on 18th January 1996. The result of the study revealed that in the West Akim district the DAES deals with both autonomous and sponsored groups. The autonomous groups were found to be more sustainable than the sponsored groups.'The sustainability of the autonomous groups was attributed to their nature, mode of format ;>n and the existing internal dynamics. In sustainable groups the extension agent has the opportunity to plan for series of lessons which together can bring about improvements in the farming activities of group members.„ The nature of a farmers' group thus affects its sustainability and the opportunity for extension agent and farmers to teach and acquire knowledge respectively. The effectiveness of extension delivery is also influenced by the nature of farmers' groups. The extension agents of the DAES'were not able to arrange and meet farmers' groups according to the visit schedules as envisaged under the T-&V system being practised by the DAES. The expected two weeks interval between consercutive meetings of extension agents and farmers' groups was not fully achieved. Thus regular teaching and learning opportunities were not created by the extension agents. i The monthly: training sessions which could have reinforced the extension delivery skills of the extension agents were directed towards technical topics. Extension agents were not adequately equipped to contribute much to the social life of farmers' groups. Extension interaction with extension and non-extension farmers' groups in the West Akim district enhanced the production levels of farmers, but not much was achieved in the development and sustainability of the farmers' group life. , N To work effectively and efficiently with farmers' groups, extension organisations among others need to renew and meet the needs of their clients, and also train their agents to be adept in working with farmers' groups and encouraging farmers to form their groups.Item Working with Farmers' Groups, An Extension Experience(University of Ghana, 1997-06) Yeboah, A.; Fiadjoe, F.Y.M.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe study aimed at researching into the prevailing farmers' groups and examine the capability of the nature of farmers' groups and extension interactions with them to influence the expected improvements in their farming activities. The study was carried out in the West Akim district of the eastern region of Ghana. All the twelve FLS in the field as well as the two extension supervisors in the district were interviewed. Fourteen extension farmers' groups and four non-extension farmers' groups were interviewed from five sub-districts. From each farmers' group interviewed five of its members were randomly selected and interviewed. A total of 84 individual farmers were consequently covered in the study. Four other extension supervisors from the DAES as well as three from other extension organisations involved in the study were also interviewed. They included officers in charge of field operations in the district, regional and national headquarters. Data collection started from 14th November 1995 and ended on 18th January 1996. The result of the study revealed that in the West Akim district the DAES deals with both autonomous and sponsored groups. The autonomous groups were found to be more sustainable than the sponsored groups.'The sustainability of the autonomous groups was attributed to their nature, mode of format and the existing internal dynamics. In sustainable groups the extension agent has the opportunity to plan for series of lessons which together can bring about improvements in the farming activities of group members.„ The nature of a farmers' group thus affects its sustainability and the opportunity for extension agent and farmers to teach and acquire knowledge respectively. The effectiveness of extension delivery is also influenced by the nature of farmers' groups. The extension agents of the DAES'were not able to arrange and meet farmers' groups according to the visit schedules as envisaged under the T-&V system being practised by the DAES. The expected two weeks interval between consercutive meetings of extension agents and farmers' groups was not fully achieved. Thus regular teaching and learning opportunities were not created by the extension agents. The monthly: training sessions which could have reinforced the extension delivery skills of the extension agents were directed towards technical topics. Extension agents were not adequately equipped to contribute much to the social life of farmers' groups. Extension interaction with extension and non-extension farmers' groups in the West Akim district enhanced the production levels of farmers, but not much was achieved in the development and sustainability of the farmers' group life. To work effectively and efficiently with farmers' groups, extension organisations among others need to renew and meet the needs of their clients, and also train their agents to be adept in working with farmers' groups and encouraging farmers to form their groups.Item 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 ExtensionThe 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 approachItem Adoption of Mucuna (Mucuna Utilis) as Soil Management Crop in Republic of Benin(UNIVERSITE NATIONALE DU BENIN, 1998-06) Marcellin, A.C.; Fiadjoe, F.Y.M.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionMost extension services are actively engaged in promoting new technologies among farmers. Resources are invested in various extensions activities, such as field days or demonstrations, and extension service may undergo considerable reorganization, such as the training and visit system (T & V) (Benor and Harrison 1977). There is a widespread need to place emphasis on monitoring the result of technology transfer and eliciting farmers feedback. Organization responsible for developing new technology need to know if the transfer process is functioning, if their message is being heard. Base on this reasoning I choose to study adoption of Mucuna as soil management crop in Benin. SG2000 project started extension work on Mucuna as technology for recovery of land invaded by imperata and striga and for improving fertility to over exploited or poor soils in Benin since 1992. The major concerns for the study is: suggest ways in which more farmers could adopt Mucuna as a soil fertility management crop. The target population for this study was Benin's farmers. Since the time and the means can not permit to work with all of Benin's farmers, one region was selected in each of the ecological zones of the country. In each region five villages were selected using simple random sampling and in each village ten farmers were selected at simple random sampling. To be sure that all our respondents have equal chance to hear about the innovation (Mucuna for soil management and weed control), the selected villages were those in which SG2000 has an extension agent. Frequencies and percentages were used in respect to demographic data collected. Chi-square, were used to see whether there is a significant difference between selected regions, or if there is any relationship between adoption and some selected variables or between innovation characteristics and farmers adoption behavior. This study conducted with the help of five field assistants lead to the findings summarized as follow. Majority of farmers selected (92 percent) were male, and 8 percent were female. Age of respondents ranges from 20 years old to more than 40. Majority of respondents (51.3%) have more than 40 year old. Average number of children is seven. Majority of farmers (71.3%) are illiterate. Language spoken differ from one area to an other. There are national extension services and NGO's which help farmers to improve their farming conditions. Analysis of data revealed primarily that there is a significant difference between selected regions as far as adoption of Mucuna is concerned. Because of land availability and efficiency of extension activities Borgou region offers to farmers the best conditions to adopt Mucuna as soil management crop, compared to others selected regions. Chi-square computation revealed that there is a significant difference between the three selected regions with regards to extension activities. Level of education do not have any significant relationship with adoption of Mucuna therefore this innovation is consider not to be complex. Labor availability has been found to have also a significant relationship with adoption of Mucuna. Other socio-economic characteristics of farmers like: number of children, marital status, age, land origin have no significant relationship with adoption of Mucuna. All the variables used to measure extension influence on adoption of Mucuna have a significant relationship with Mucuna adoption. Participation to meeting organized by VEW, adequacy of training given by VEW, clarity of the extension message for farmers, contact with extension agent were found to have significant relation with adoption of Mucuna. It was also found that there is no significant difference between selected regions as far as opinion of respondent about importance of the innovation is concerned. Majority of the respondent recognize that fertility of their soil have been improved after Mucuna fallow. They also know that Mucuna is not edible but do not prevent it growing for soil improving. Analysis revealed that there is no significant relationship between Mucuna edibility and its' adoption.The study reveals that disadopters are those who don't have enough land or have problem of labour. Some of them are those who got bad results from their first experience ; their soil have not been improved or Mucuna couldn't irradicate spear grass of their field. As the study reveals, must of adopters are SG2000 contact farmers. This shows that SG2000 strategy has improve adoption rate of Mucuna in Benin. Strategy use by SG2000 offers good opportunity for farmers to make decision after going through all the decision making process stages. This study shows that promotion of Mucuna technology need to consider sociological factors, environmental factors, and an adequate extension methodology.Item 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 ExtensionDespite 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.Item The Effect of Training on Extension Workers’ Performance; A Case Study Of Front Line Staff In The Suhum Kraboa-Coaltar _1998(University of Ghana, 1998-06) Gyenfte, J.N.; Sakyi-Dawson,O.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionDespite 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.Item Extension, Credit and Adoption; A Case Study of Farmer Production Plot Farmers in the Central Region of Ghana(University of Ghana, 1998-06) Wiafe, W.M.; Sakyi-Dawson, O.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThis study sought to determine the relationship between extension access and/or access to credit and adoption of maize technology by small-scale maize farmers in the Central Region of Ghana. It is expected that the findings of this study will increase our understanding of the importance of extension and credit access in agricultural development. The study was carried out in six districts of the Central Region of Ghana. These are Assin, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Agona, Awutu-Efixtu-Senya, Gomoa and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem districts. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data on personal socio-economic characteristics, extension access, access to credit and adoption of maize technology from a sample of 160 farmers. The sample, comprising 80 farmers who were members of the Farmer Production Plot (FPP) group and have access to Sasakawa Global 2000 (S.G. 2000) credit, and 80 farmers who were non-members of the FPP group (NFPP) were drawn using multi-stage sampling technique. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Analysis yielded descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages, as well as cross-tabulations of variables that enabled the statistical testing of hypothesis using Chi-square. The findings indicate significant differences were found between FPP and NFPP farmers in relation to extension access, credit source, and adoption of innovations. The FPP approach, which combines both extension education and credit delivery, leads to higher extension and credit access. Such access leads to fuller understanding of the package of maize innovations. Farmers who had access to extension but not credit tended to partially adopt the maize innovations. This was attributed to lack of adequate funds, particularly to buy fertilizer. More significantly farmers who had a combination of access to extension and credit tended to adopt the innovations fully. Thus, a combination of extension access and credit greatly enhances adoption. The findings also indicate that apart from S.G. 2000 being the main source of credit for farmers, majority of them did not use other sources of credit in their maize farming activities. The FPP programme tended to favour large scale farmers and those who hire labour (implying wealthier ones) contrary to its documented target beneficiary who are the small-scale and poor farmers. Considering the positive relationship between access to extension and access to credit and adoption of innovations, it is concluded that both extension and credit are necessary to enhance agricultural development among small-scale farmers. However, considering that extension agencies directly administering credit is inimical to their role of providing education to farmers, it is recommended that extension programmes should be complemented with appropriate means of financial service provision, implemented by other agencies. However, such rural finance programmes should be able to cater for the credit needs of small-scale farmers. For instance part of the District Assembly Common Fund for poverty alleviation can be channeled through rural banks, traders, credit unions, susu-collectors, rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCA) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to cater for the credit needs of farmers, whilst savings mobilisation is encouraged at the same time. However, this requires effective and efficient joint consultation and collaboration between extension agencies and financial service providers to ensure maximum benefits, outreach and repayment of such loans.Item 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 ExtensionSub-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 farmersItem Adoption of Agricultural Innovations a Case Study of Maize Narrow-Crib in Southern Benin(University of Ghana, 1999-03) Hounkpe, E.R.C.; Geker, J.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionAn important aspect of agricultural development involves, the adoption of innovations by farmers. Several activities were put in place by extension services in Benin to get wide spread adoption of innovations by farmers. One of these actions was the introduction of maize narrow-crib in rural areas in Benin; but still some farmers are not adopting. After four years of the introduction of this maize narrow-crib, it is important to appreciate the factors that are affecting the adoption of this storage device. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the factors which are related to the adoption of the maize narrow-cribinnovation. The findings from the research will contribute to how to enhance adoption of the maize narrow-crib technology in Benin. In total, 160 maize farmers were selected at random in 16 villages where the crib was introduced. A pretested structured questionnaire was administrated by trained enumerators. The data was analysed using the Chi-square test, the relative frequencies, the Probit and the Logit models. The result of analysis indicated that study sample was composed of mainly men (87%). Even though, in certain regions some women cultivate more maize than men. Most of the farmers were about 31 to 40 years old. The Chi-square test shows that the following variables significantly influence the adoption decision behaviour of the farmers: the household head age, the region (culture and the availability of sustainable bulding materials for the maize narrow-crib construction in the region), the trial ability of the innovation, the language spoken by the farmers and the extension officer, the household size, the leadership status of the household head, the innovation cost, the extension contact with the farmer, the need identification and the farmers' perception about the necessity to build a maize narrow-crib. The Logit test shows that the region, the household size, the leadership status, the source of information, the extension contact, the need identification and the necessity to build a maize narrow-crib significantly influence farmers' behaviour with regard to maize narrow-crib adoption. The number of agricultural active members of the household, the type of education the household head has and his experience in farming since he became a decision maker on his own field, his wealth, his cosmopolitness, the availability of subsidy, the trail ability of the innovation and the construction difficulties were not found to influence farmer' decision making behavior with regard to the adoption of maize narrow-crib.Item 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 ExtensionThe 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.Item 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 ExtensionExtension 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.Item Adoption of Improved Cowpea Preservation Technologies in Theakatsi District of the Volta Region, Ghana(University of Ghana, 2000-02) Anku-Tsede, C.; Sakyi - Dawson, O.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionEnhancing the adoption of Improved Cowpea Preservation Technologies (ICPTs) can contribute greatly to food security in low- income countries such as Ghana. However, although such improved technologies have been the focus of technology development and extension effort for sometime now in Ghana, there is a dearth of studies on the extent of adoption of ICPTs and its determinants. Among others, current adoption of technology literature suggests that target or potential user’s perceptions of technologies are likely to influence adoption. However, this paradigm has not been studied in Ghana for ICPTs. This thesis therefore examined the relationship between cowpea farmers’ and traders perceptions and the adoption of ICPTs in the Akatsi district of the Volta Region, Ghana. Specifically, it attempts to answer the question – how does their perceptions of characteristics of four ICPTs (namely the use Actellic liquid, Actellic dust, Phostoxin and edible oil in preserving cowpea), mode and effort of extension delivery, determine the pattern of utilization of ICPTs. Data was collected using questionnaires from sixty cowpea producers, twenty-five cowpea traders and fifteen Agricultural extension Agents (AEAs) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). In addition, the Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methods for focus group discussions, was used to collect contextual information. Data analysis included frequency distribution, chi-square tests and the Spearman’s rank order correlation co-efficient. The results show that apart from respondents gender and the quantity of cowpea stored, there was statistically no significant difference between the characteristics of cowpea producers and traders. Cowpea producers were mainly males and the traders were solely females. Traders also stored more cowpea than producers did and they stored if for a longer period of time. Extension agents delivery efforts on the selected ICPTs was mainly by a combination of interpersonal (individual and group) methods and contact tended to be more frequent (thrice or more within a month). However, cowpea traders were contacted less frequently than producers. Traders are however more important with regards to preservation of cowpea than producers yet, they have little access to ICPT messages. It is therefore suggested that extension agents need to direct more cowpea preservation messages to traders. There was substantial knowledge of cowpea pests and their control in the study area. Comparatively, the level of awareness of traditional cowpea preservation technologies was higher than that of ICPTs. Level of awareness of ICPTs in descending order is similar - Actellic dust, Actellic liquid, Edible oil and Phostoxin (Producers - 52%, 37%, 35%, 21% and Traders - 48%, 32%, 24%, 16% respectively). The study established that Phostoxin had a higher range of positively perceived attributes by producers and traders and edible oil had the least. Analysis of the relationship between adopter characteristics and perception of attributes revealed that with the exception of Actellic liquid, these variables did not make a difference in perception of ICPTs. The extension method used did not bring about a difference in perception of overall attributes of ICPTs but made a difference in perception of general attributes (Relative Advantage and Complexity) of Actellic liquid. With the exception of Actellic liquid, the frequency of contact of AEAs with the respondents did not bring about any significant difference in perception of ICPTs. An increase in the frequency of contact of AEAs with the respondents resulted in more positive perception of attributes of Actellic liquid but not the other ICPTs. There was a positive relationship between respondents positive perceptions of selected ICPTs and adoption levels. Producers’ perceptions of specific attributes gave the closest prediction of adoption levels whereas traders overall perceptions of attributes gave the closest prediction of adoption level. It shows that to an extent, perceptions of attributes reflect their adoption levels. It is suggested that AEAs need to re-examine and refine ICPTs, taking the negative perceptions of attributes of ICPTs and their inverse relationship with adoption levels into consideration. In order to enhance adoption of ICPTs, AEAs should deliver detailed technical knowledge, emphasising positive attributes. This can be done through regular contact (thrice or more withi a month) and the use of interpersonal channels of extension delivery (use of a combination of the group and individual methods of extension delivery) for increased adoption of cowpea preservation technologies.Item Comparative Study of Performance of Middle and Junior Secondary School Leavers Farming in North Tongu District, Volta Region, Ghana(University of Ghana, 2000-06) Asiegbor, I.K.; Atengdem, P.B.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe Study on Basic School Agriculture outcomes was conducted in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region of Ghana from May to June 1998. The main objective of the study is to compare the impact of the differences in the Middle School and Junior Secondary School Agriculture programmes on the performance of the graduates in farming. The Middle School Agriculture programme was vocational/practical without teaching or learning of theoretical knowledge while the Junior Secondary School Agriculture Programme was academic-vocational (Integrated). Specifically, the study compares and explains the differences between Middle School and Junior Secondary School leavers by: age, gender and marital status, use of school-based agricultural knowledge in home farming while in school, levels of agricultural knowledge, ranking of factors influencing the choice of farming, ranking aims for farming, utilisation of formal agricultural knowledge in farming, achievements from farming, security in life and the needs of the respondents in farming. The survey research methodology was employed. With a personal interview schedule, the snowball non probability sampling technique was used to gather information from the Middle School and Junior Secondary School graduates farming in the North Tongu District. With questionnaires, stratified random sampling was used to collect information from Agricultural Extension Agents, Junior Secondary School Agriculture Teachers, District Director of Agriculture and District Agricultural Education Officer. The Statistical Package for the Social Scientist (SPSS) was used to analyse the data. The performance of the farmers was compared using the following statistics: percentages, rank scores, The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test and The Kendall Coefficient of Concordance. The study shows that Junior Secondary School graduates are better farmers than Middle School leavers in the North Tongu District because their performance is related to the type of Agricultural Education programme they pursued. Junior Secondary school graduates tend to be more independent, think and act abstractly in selecting farming practices that have abstract advantages while Middle School leavers appear to be more dependent and select yield optimising practices with easily observable advantages. The performance of the Junior Secondary School graduates is explained by their use of school-based agricultural knowledge in home farming while in school, ranking of school training as a factor influencing the choice of farming, ranking of aims in farming, ranking of crop yield optimisation practices and attainment of higher tangible achievements from farming. A similar performance is observed on the basis of gender. However, the perceived levels of security in life and needs of the respondents have not been explained by the differences in the Basic School Agriculture programmes they pursued. The study provides information on the study of Basic School Agriculture outcomes and the intervening factors in the utilization of formal agricultural knowledge for farming.
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