Effects of radio peace-council for scientific and industrial research programme of agricultural information dissemination on farmers in central region of Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the effects of Radio Peace-Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Programme of Agricultural Information Dissemination on Farmers in Central Region of Ghana meant to address the low adoption of appropriate technologies and ineffective institutional frameworks to provide information on proven agricultural technologies. Descriptive correlation survey design and multistage sampling technique were used to select 396 farmers within broadcasting range of Radio Peace in five districts and municipalities in the Central Region of Ghana. An interview schedule was used to collect data which was analyzed using appropriate statistical tools such as frequencies, percentages, Chi-square, dependent T-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), post hoc multiple comparison and logistic regression. The study revealed that whilst educational background, marital status, ethnicity, and household size of farmers affect the listening of Radio Peace-Council for Scientific and Industrial Research programme, sex and age did not. Farmers used various types of agricultural information disseminated through Radio Peace-Council for Scientific and Industrial Research programme which have affected their livelihoods significantly. The use of information disseminated through the programme depended mainly on age, household size and farming experience of farmers. The study recommends among others the need for management to reschedule the airing of programme, acquisition of more radio by farmers, more collaboration between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to replicate the programme in the various districts and municipalities in Ghana.