Working with Farmers' Groups, An Extension Experience
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Date
1997-06
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
The 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.
Description
Thesis(M.Phil)-University of Ghana, 1997