Farmers' Access to Agricultural Extension Services in the Dangme West District of Ghana

Abstract

This study investigates farmers' access to agricultural extension services in the Dangme West District of Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to find out the sources of extension information, the existence of differential access of farmers to agricultural extension services, and sociocultural and other factors if any, which affect access to extension services. The results revealed that the Agricultural Extension Agent (AEA) was the main source of information for the majority of farmers (78%). Such farmers obtained additional information from other sources, such as relatives, neighbours, spouses and classrooms. The other 22% of farmers obtained information exclusively from other sources apart from the AEA. Only a few farmers mainly male (8.4%), obtained information from the AEA only. Land ownership and control, perception of females as mere helpers on the land, socio-cultural practices such as 'man first’ in the home, the domestic division of labour, lack of communication between spouses, marital status, and the taboo forbidding women to weed with hoes, among others, were factors that predisposed male farmers to more frequent and direct contact with the AEA. Thus, males tend to have more access to extension services.