Linking Programme Planning Approaches To Livelihood Outcomes Of Farmers: A Case Study Of Agricultural Extension Services In Ghana

Abstract

This study aimed to find out the effect of linking programme planning approaches to livelihood outcomes of farmers and verify which approach is likely to reduce poverty among farmers. The research problem confronting us is that livelihood outcomes of rural farmers have not been improved over the years despite several planning approaches used by Agriculture Extension Services to deliver programmes to farmers. The population of study was Agricultural Extension Agents of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and farmers they provide services to. A multi-stage stratified sampling technique was used to randomly select eight districts out of a total of two hundred and sixteen (216) districts from the ten (10) regions of Ghana based on the four climatic and vegetation zones of the country. Two districts were randomly selected from each zone. A total of eighty-six (86) Agricultural Extension Agents and four hundred and two (402) farmers were interviewed. Districts were categorised into three as having (1) high, (2) medium and (3) low characteristics of the use of outcome logic model in programme delivery. Survey interview questionnaires were used to collect information from Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and their farmers. Data collected were coded and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis H Test and Mann-Whitney U Test were used to describe and analyse data. Farmers operating in districts with high characteristics of OLM approach of planning of programmes received high training, practised more extension packages, had better access to financial and physical assets and achieved high overall livelihood outcomes The study showed that programmes delivered by agricultural extension services which all stakeholders were involved in the initial planning process that identified the outcomes to be achieved and ensured that the needed resources were provided to carry out planned activities improved the performance and livelihood outcomes of farmers. It is recommended that the Outcome Logic Model approach should be the tool for planning pro-poor programmes by Agricultural Extension Services in Ghana since it has the potential of improving the performance and livelihood outcomes of farmers.