Cocoa farmers’ perception regarding the effectiveness of cocoa extension services in the Bia West District, Ghana.
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Aug 27, 2024
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Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum
KNUST
Kassim Somed
Patrick Appiah
Maxwell Toah Asiamah
Fred Ankuyi
Anthony Appiah
John-Eudes Andivi Bakang
Abstract
The study analysed cocoa farmers’ perception on the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in the Bia West District. Data for the study was collected from 400 cocoa farmers through a multistage sampling technique. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results reflect a prevailing awareness among the majority of cocoa farmers (over 90%) concerning the efficacy of agricultural extension agents operating in the study area. Farmers perceived a positive impact on information dissemination and timeliness (Mean=4.08), and knowledge and skills enhancement (Mean=4.03). Employing a probit model, age (1%), engagement in off-farm activities (10%), and the age of cocoa farms (1%) emerged as significant factors that influenced farmers' perception of the effectiveness of the agents. The three key challenges faced by farmers in accessing extension services included inadequate CEA visits (1st), trust issues (2nd), and communication barriers (3rd). The study recommends the critical need to intensify and sustain extension training programmes, incentivising and supporting CEAs in fostering robust relationships within farming communities, and directing policy initiatives toward bolstering investments in communication infrastructure.
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Tham-Agyekum, E. K., Somed, K., Appiah, P., Asiamah, M. T., Ankuyi, F., Appiah, A., & Bakang, J.-E. A. (2024). Cocoa farmers’ perception regarding the effectiveness of cocoa extension services in the Bia West District, Ghana. Pelita Perkebunan (a Coffee and Cocoa Research Journal), 40(2), 205-222. https://doi.org/10.22302/iccri.jur.pelitaperkebunan.v40i2.606
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Gondwe, T. M., Alamu, E. O., Musonda, M., Geresomo, N., & Maziya-Dixon, B. (2017). The relationship between training farmers in agronomic practices and diet diversification: a case study from an intervention under the Scaling Up Nutrition programme in Zambia. Agriculture & Food Security, 6(1), 1-7.
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Kehinde, A. D., & Ogundeji, A. A. (2022). The simultaneous impact of access to credit and cooperative services on cocoa productivity in South-western Nigeria. Agriculture & Food Security, 11(1), 11.
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