Communication Strategy and Adoption of Integrated Pest Management (Ipm) Practices by Vegetable Farmers At The Weija Irrigation Project, Ghana.
Date
2001-06
Authors
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
To enhance food security, crop losses due to disease and pest damage must be reduced. Improved technologies for pest control using appropriate and environmentally sound technologies to promote food security is a major priority for many developing nations. Integrated Pest Management, IPM (also referred to as Integrated Crop Management (ICM)) is one of such approaches to promoting food security. Its adoption by farmers is therefore critical. In Ghana, few empirical evidence about the communication strategies employed to effectively disseminate IPM practices exists. This study .therefore examines the influence of communication strategies on adoption of IPM. The findings are based on data collected from farmers at the Weija Irrigation Project which typifies intensive vegetable farming in the Greater Accra District. It has also been the centre o f a lot of agricultural projects especially in the area of Agricultural Extension, such as the IPM Farmers’ F ield School. (IPM/FFS). Data were collected from 105 vegetable farmers comprising 55 FFS participants and 50 non-participants using structured interview schedule from March to April 2000. The analysis involved frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulations and chi-square test. Practices incorporated in the IPM/FFS for vegetable farmers in the study area and which the study focused on include: use of neem seed extract as bio-pesticide, manure application, mulching, use of improved seeds, reduction or avoidance of use of chemical pesticides, scouting and row planting. The study reveals that there were generally high levels of awareness of all the practices incorporated in the IPM for vegetables in the study area. The main sources of information were AEAs through FFS, agricultural input sellers, co-operative society, other farmers, friends and relatives. Communication strategy used were mainly individual and group methods and Participatory Action Research (PAR). The adoption rate of Farmers’ Field Schools participants was significantly higher than non-participants. Farmers also testified to the advantages of using the IPM practices. These include higher yields, decreased incidence of pests and diseases and increase in crop diversity. However, identified constraints to adoption of IPM practices included: tediousness of some of the practices (high labour input), high cost and lack of availability of some of the inputs. The use of Farmers' Field Schools, which is a Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology, is recommended since programmes are planned with active involvement or participation of the target beneficiaries, and at their level of information uptake and learning.
Description
Thesis (MPhil.) - University of Ghana, 2001
Keywords
Communication Strategy, Pest Management Practices, Vegetable Farmers, Communication Channels