Farmers' And Extension Staff Perceptions of Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Delivery in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Abstract

Agricultural production and yields of farms in Ashanti Region are perceived as generally low because most farmers produce crops, using traditional methods or low resource technologies. This situation can be overcome or improved through an intensive and effective agricultural extensive delivery to step up adoption rates of improved technologies by farmers. The study was conducted at Atwima, Sekyere West, Ahafo-Ano North, Asante Akim North and Adansi East Districts in the Ashanti Region to investigate farmers' and extension staff perceptions of factors affecting the effectiveness of agricultural extension delivery. Using a descriptive-correlational design, the demographic characteristics of farmers and AEAs, agro-enterprises of farmers, characteristics of technologies, extension information delivery and logistical support factors were examined. The overall effectiveness of agricultural extension delivery was also assessed as well as identification of problems associated with agricultural extension delivery in the Ashanti Region. Furthermore, relationships between the effectiveness of agricultural extension delivery (the dependent variable) and the independent variables of the study were determined. The results revealed that the mean ages of farmers and AEAs were 55 .8 years and 38.9 years respectively. Many, 53.0% and 81.9% of the farmers and AEAs who responded possessed Middle School Leaving Certificate and Certificate in General Agriculture respectively. Majority (74.5%) of the farmers established their farms on family and purchased lands. with their personal savings and assistance from money lenders. Over 72.0% of the farmers depended on hired and family labour for farming operations and received one or two visits in a month from the AEAs. Funding of extension programmes was fairly adequate. Farmers' participation in the planning of extension programmes was high. The AEAs frequently used group discussions and farm visits for education of farmers. Over 60.0% of the farmers perceived the recommended practices as compatible, easy-to-apply with a high relative advantage. The level of competence, motivation of the AEAs and overall effectiveness of agricultural extension delivery (EOAED) was low in the districts. The EOAED correlated significantly with the number of monthly visits to farmers by AEAs, the overall relative advantage, compatibility of recommended practices, farmers' satisfaction with the overall performance of AEAs, method and result demonstrations. The EOAED also correlated significantly with the level of competence, job satisfaction of AEAs, farm visits and contributions of farmers during group discussions at the 0.05 alpha level. The results of regression analysis revealed that the compatibility of recommended practices to farmers, farmers' satisfaction with the overall performance of AEAs, use of result demonstrations, job satisfaction of AEAs and contributions of farmers during group discussions were the best predictors of the effectiveness of agricultural extension delivery in the study area.