Evaluation of the Extension Services of the Ministry of Agriculture in Promoting Sorghum Production in Ponyentanga Area of Wa District

Abstract

This study is a field survey. Its concerns have been to find out the work of the extension services department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in Ponyentanga area in promoting Sorghum cultivation. The study looked at the way farmers in the Ponyentanga area were equipped and influenced with the relevant knowledge, information and attitude towards improved farming practices. The study critically examined the method of educating farmers by frontline extension officers in order to evaluate its efficacy towards improved farming methods in the area. The values, ideas and beliefs of farmers were examined to find out whether there have been a change in these elements as a result of extension services rendered by the extension officers. A questionnaire was the research instrument used to find out the extent to which extension officers operated in the area. An interview schedule was also designed for farmers in the same area to check their responses. Analyses of responses to bdth questionnaire and interview schedule clearly showed that services rendered by the extension services department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ponyentanga area were ineffective. They further showed that the methods used by extension officers were inappropriate. As a consequence, there was no change in the ideas, beliefs, attitudes and farming practices of farmers. It is recommended that retrenched extension officers be re-instated or new officers appointed to assist the technical officer as the area is too large to be managed by one person. It is also recommended that retraining programmes be continued in order to improve the performance of the extension officers. All the extension officers should be equipped with motor cycles to enable them carry out effective, out-reach programmes in the target area. Functional literacy should be incorporated into the extension work to enable the farmers to better appreciate the new techniques of farming introduced to them. Further research in the entire Wa District may provide further information to this study