Cocoa farmers’ perception regarding the effectiveness of cocoa extension services in the Bia West District, Ghana.

Main Article Content

Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum
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.

Article Details


How to Cite
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
Section
Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

    1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
    1. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
    1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).

 

References
Agricultural Extension Policy (2003). Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture. ISU/ DAES/MOFA. Accra, Ghana.
Agula, C., Akudugu, M. A., Dittoh, S., & Mabe, F. N. (2018). Promoting sustainable agriculture in Africa through ecosystem-based farm management practices: evidence from Ghana. Agriculture & Food Security, 7(1), 1-11.
Amezah, K., & Hesse, J. (2004). Ghana: Reforms in the Ghanaian extension system. Agriculture and rural development: Discussion paper, 8, 12-18.
Amon-Armah, F., Baah, F., Owusu-Ansah, F., Adu-Acheampong, R., & Awudzi, G. K. (2023). Farmers’ knowledge of major insect pests and their occurrence in cocoa plantations in Ghana. International Journal of Pest Management, 69(1), 1-13.
Amponsah-Doku, B., Daymond, A., Robinson, S., Atuah, L., & Sizmur, T. (2022). Improving soil health and closing the yield gap of cocoa production in Ghana–a review. Scientific African, 15, e01075.
Anim-Kwapong, G. J., & Frimpong, E. B. (2004). Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment under the Netherlands Climate Change Studies Assistance Programme Phase2 (NCCSAP2). Vulnerability of agriculture to climate change-impact of climate change on cocoa production. CRIG, New Tafo-Akim.
Ankuyi, F., Tham-Agyekum, E. K., Aidoo, D. C., Bakang, J. A, Amankwah, K., Akowuah, K. A., & Makafui, W. T. (2022). Drivers of knowledge, attitude, practice, aspiration and perceptions of sustainable agriculture standard: evidence from certified cocoa farmers in Ghana.
Ankuyi, F., Tham-Agyekum, E. K., Ankrah, D., Oduro-Owusu, A. Y., Bakang, J. E. A., Boansi, D., & Asirifi, S. (2023). Beyond certification: Investigating the nexus between compliance with sustainable agriculture standard and livelihood assets of certified smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 9(1), 2256556.
Appiah, M. R. (2004). Impact of Cocoa Research Innovations on Poverty Alleviation in Ghana. Ghana. Academy of Arts and Sciences. Accra, Ghana: Liberation Link Press.
Appiah, M. R. (2005). Adopt Research to Improve Cocoa Production. Production, Printing Division. Tafo, Ghana: Cocoa Research Institute.
Asare, R. (2005). Cocoa agroforests in West Africa: a look at activities on preferred trees in the farming systems (p. 89). Copenhagen: Forest & Landscape Denmark (FLD).
Asiedu-Darko, E. (2013). Agricultural extension delivery in Ghana: A case study of factors affecting it in Ashanti, Eastern and Northern regions of Ghana. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 5(2), 37-41.
Asiedu-Darko, E. (2014). Farmers’ perception on agricultural technologies a case of some improved crop varieties in Ghana. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 3(1), 13-16.
Assefa, A., Waters-Bayer, A., Fincham, R., & Mudhara, M. (2012). Comparison of frameworks for studying grassroots innovation: Agricultural Innovation Systems and Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems. In Innovation Africa (pp. 61-82). Routledge.
Axinn, G. H. (1988). Guide on alternative extension approaches. Agricultural Education and Extension Service. Human Resources Institutions and Agrarian Reform Division. Rome, FAO, M/S8971E/1/12.88/1000.
Baah, F. (2007). Meeting the information needs of Ghanaian cocoa farmers: are farmer field schools the answer? Journal of Science and Technology, 27 (3): 13-15.
Beg, M. S., Ahmad, S., Jan, K., & Bashir, K. (2017). Status, supply chain and processing of cocoa-A review. Trends in food science & technology, 66, 108-116.
Berlan, A. (2013). Social sustainability in agriculture: An anthropological perspective on child labour in cocoa production in Ghana. The Journal of Development Studies, 49(8), 1088-1100.
Birner, R., Davis, K., Pender, J., Nkonya, E., Anandajayasekeram, P., Ekboir, J., ... & Cohen, M. (2009). From best practice to best fit: a framework for designing and analyzing pluralistic agricultural advisory services worldwide. Journal of agricultural education and extension, 15(4), 341-355.
Bloomfield, J. & Fisher, M. J. (2019). Quantitative research design. Journal of the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses Association, 22(2), pp.27-30.
Bonye, S. Z., Alfred, K. B., & Jasaw, G. S. (2012). Promoting community-based extension agents as an alternative approach to formal agricultural extension service delivery in Northern Ghana. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2(393-2016-23897), 76-95.
Chilemba, J., & Ragasa, C. (2018). The impact of a farmer business school program on incomes of smallholder farmers: Insights from central Malawi (Vol. 23). Intl Food Policy Res Inst.
Chilemba, J., & Ragasa, C. (2020). The impact on farmer incomes of a nationwide scaling up of the farmer business school program: lessons and insights from Central Malawi. The European Journal of Development Research, 32, 906-938.
Danso-Abbeam, G., Ehiakpor, D. S., & Aidoo, R. (2018). Agricultural extension and its effects on farm productivity and income: insight from Northern Ghana. Agriculture & Food Security, 7(1), 1-10.
Denkyirah, E. K., Okoffo, E. D., Adu, D. T., & Bosompem, O. A. (2017). What are the drivers of cocoa farmers’ choice of climate change adaptation strategies in Ghana? Cogent Food & Agriculture, 3(1), 1334296.
Donkor, E., Owusu-Sekyere, E., Owusu, V., & Jordaan, H. (2016). Impact of agricultural extension service on adoption of chemical fertilizer: Implications for rice productivity and development in Ghana. NJAS: wageningen journal of life sciences, 79(1), 41-49.
Ehsan, N., Hoogenboom, G., Qamar, M. K., Wilkerson, C. J., Wajid, S. A., & Aziz, F. (2022). Climate change risk perception and adaptation to climate smart agriculture are required to increase wheat production for food security. Italian Journal of Agronomy, 17(4).
Ferroni, M. and Zhou, Y. (2012). Achievements and Challenges in Agricultural Extension in India. Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, 4(3), 319-346.
Fiagbey, D. K. E. (1994). Providing change in agriculture: The role of the contact farmer. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2010). "Climate-Smart" Agriculture: Policies, Practices and Financing for Food Security, Adaption and Mitigation. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Frimpong, Y. (2016). Cocoa Farmer-extension officer gap reduced. Business News, 2016-03-01.htm. From the Kennedy Space Center. Engineering Management, IEEE Transactions.Ghana Statistical Service, April 2019 edition.Ghana’ Agricultural Sector Profile, 2021
Gautam, M. (2000). Agricultural extension: The Kenya experience: An impact evaluation. World Bank Publications.
Ghana statistical service (GSS) 2021 population and housing census provisional results (available at: www. census2021.statsghana.gov.gh)
Gockowski, J., Afari-Sefa, V., Sarpong, D. B., Osei-Asare, Y. B., & Dziwornu, A. K. (2011). Increasing income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers: Is introduction of fine flavour cocoa a viable alternative. Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, 50(2), 175–200.
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.
ICCO, I. (2020). Quarterly bulletin of cocoa statistics.
Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research, ISSER. (2006). The State of Ghanaian Economy, University of Ghana. Legon: Assemblies of God Literature Centre Accra.
Kaur, G., & Arora, S. (2018). Chaotic whale optimization algorithm. Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, 5(3), 275-284.
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.
Kenton, W. (2020). Population samples. Investopedia [online]. Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sample.asp
Komba, N. C., Mlozi, M. R., & Mvena, Z. S. (2018). Socio-economic factors influencing farmers’ perception on effectiveness of decentralized agricultural extension information and services delivery in Arumeru District, Tanzania. International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development, 6(2), 594-602.
Kongor, J. E., De Steur, H., Van de Walle, D., Gellynck, X., Afoakwa, E. O., Boeckx, P., & Dewettinck, K. (2018). Constraints for future cocoa production in Ghana. Agroforestry Systems, 92, 1373-1385.
Levai, L. D., Meriki, H. D., Adiobo, A., Awa-Mengi, S., Akoachere, J. F. T. K., & Titanji, V. P. (2015). Postharvest practices and farmers’ perception of cocoa bean quality in Cameroon. Agriculture & Food Security, 4(1), 1-8.
Maake, M. M. S., & Antwi, M. A. (2022). Farmer’s perceptions of effectiveness of public agricultural extension services in South Africa: an exploratory analysis of associated factors. Agriculture & Food Security, 11(1), 34.
Mabe, F. N., Mumuni, E., & Sulemana, N. (2021). Does smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 improve household food security in the Northern Region of Ghana? Agriculture & Food Security, 10(1), 1-13.
Maguire-Rajpaul, V. A., Khatun, K., & Hirons, M. A. (2020). Agricultural information's impact on the adaptive capacity of Ghana's smallholder cocoa farmers. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4, 28.
McNamara, P., Dale, J., Keane, J., & Ferguson, O. (2014). Strengthening Pluralistic Agricultural Extension in Ghana: A MEAS Rapid Scoping Mission. Modernizing extension and advisory services discussion paper, USAID. 2014.(No. AID-OAA-L-10-00003). The United States Agency for International Development.
Ngomane, T. (2003). The evolution of extension processes and practice to small holder farming in Southern Africa: New directions for adiverse Planet. Proceedings of the 4th International Crop ScienceCongress.
Norton, G. W., & Alwang, J. (2020). Changes in agricultural extension and implications for farmer adoption of new practices. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 42(1), 8-20.
Ntshangase, N. L., Muroyiwa, B., & Sibanda, M. (2018). Farmers’ perceptions and factors influencing the adoption of no-till conservation agriculture by small-scale farmers in Zashuke, KwaZulu-Natal Province. Sustainability, 10(2), 555.
Nyamekye, P. A., Tian, Z. & Cheng, F. (2021). Analysis on the Contribution of Agricultural Sector on the Economic Development of Ghana. Open Journal of Business and Management >Vol.9 No.3, May 2021
Okoffo, E. D., Mensah, M., & Fosu-Mensah, B. Y. (2016). Pesticides exposure and the use of personal protective equipment by cocoa farmers in Ghana. Environmental Systems Research, 5, 1-15.
Okorley, E. (2007). An operational framework for improving decentralised agricultural extension: a Ghanaian case study: a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) in Agricultural Extension, Massey University, Institute of Natural Resources, Agricultural/Horticultural Systems & Management (Doctoral dissertation, Massey University).
Oluwasusi, J. O., & Akanni, Y. O. (2014). Effectiveness of extension services among food crop farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural & Food Information, 15(4), 324-341.
Opoku-Ameyaw, K., Baah, F., Gyedu-Akoto, E., Anchirinah, V., Dzahini-Obiatey, H. K., Cudjoe, A. R., & Opoku, S. (2010). Cocoa manual: A source book for sustainable cocoa production. Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, Tafo.
Picazo-Tadeo, A. J., Gómez-Limón, J. A., & Reig-Martínez, E. (2011). Assessing farming eco-efficiency: a data envelopment analysis approach. Journal of environmental management, 92(4), 1154-1164.
Rao, K. V., & Sonar, R. M. (2009). M4D applications in agriculture: Some developments and perspectives in India. Defining the “D” in ICT4D, 104-111.
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Amirah, N. A., Yusof, Y., Khan, S., & Agha, A. A. (2021). A Quantitative Perspective of Systematic Research: Easy and Step-by-Step Initial Guidelines. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 12(9).
Rickards, L., Alexandra, J., Jolley, C., & Frewer, T. (2018). Final report: review of agricultural extension. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)(Accessed 2 May 2020).
Rivera, W. M. (1998). An Institutional Variant in Extension: Rural Business Advisory Services in Uzbekistan. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 5(3), 37.
Rogers, E. M. (2010). Diffusion of innovations. Simon and Schuster.
Sennuga, S. O. (2019). Use of ICT among smallholder farmers and extension workers and its relevance to sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, Coventry University).
Sennuga, S. O., Oyewole, S. O., & Emeana, E. M. (2020). Farmers’ perceptions of agricultural extension agents’ performance in Sub-Saharan African communities. International Journal of Environmental and Agriculture esearch,(6), 5, 1-12.
Sennuga, S.O., Baines, R.N., Conway, J.S and Angba, C.W. (2020). Awareness and Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices among Smallholder Farmers in relation to the Adopted Villages programme: The Case Study of Northern Nigeria, Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 10(6), 34-49.
Sezgin A, Kaya TE, Atsan T, Kumbasaroğlu H. Factors infuencing agricultural extension staff effectiveness in public institutions in Erzurum, Turkey. Afr J Bus Manag. 2010;4(18):4106–9
Shah, J. A., Asmuni, A., & Ismail, A. (2013). Roles of extension agents towards agricultural practice in Malaysia. International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology, 3(1), 59-63.
Siedlecki, S.L. (2020). Understanding descriptive research designs and methods. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 34(1), 8-12.
Swanson, B. E. (2008). Global review of good agricultural extension and advisory service practices (Vol. 82). Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Tarekegn, K., & Ayele, A. (2020). Impact of improved beehives technology adoption on honey production efficiency: empirical evidence from Southern Ethiopia. Agriculture & Food Security, 9, 1-13.
Taye, H. (2013). Evaluating the impact of agricultural extension programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and prospects. African Evaluation Journal, 1(1), 9.
Thompson, B., & Daniel, L. G. (1996). Factor analytic evidence for the construct validity of scores: A historical overview and some guidelines. Educational and psychological measurement, 56(2), 197-208.
UN Comtrade. (2021) UN Comtrade Database. https://comtrade.un.org/. Accessed 23 Nov 2021.
Van den Ban, A. W. (1998). Supporting farmers, decision making by agricultural extension. Journal of Extension Systems, 14, 55-67.
Williams, R. (2006). Generalized ordered logit/partial proportional odds models for ordinal dependent variables. The stata journal, 6(1), 58-82.
Wongnaa, C. A., & Awunyo-Vitor, D. (2018). Achieving sustainable development goals on no poverty and zero hunger: Does technical efficiency of Ghana’s maize farmers matter? Agriculture & Food Security, 7(1), 1-13.
Wongnaa, C. A., Bakang, J. E. A., Asiamah, M., Appiah, P., & Asibey, J. K. (2021). Adoption and compliance with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research recommended maize production practices in Ashanti region, Ghana. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 18(4), 438-456.
World Bank (2011). Supply Chain Risk Assessment: Cocoa in Ghana. Ghana Cocoa SCRA Report.
World Bank. (2013). Growing Africa: Unlocking the potential of agribusiness. World Bank.
World Cocoa Foundation (2012). Cocoa market update accessed online 6th Jan 2014 http://worldcocoafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/Cocoa-Market-Update-as-of-3.20.2012.pdf
Yegbemey, R. N., Yabi, J. A., Heubach, K., Bauer, S., & Nuppenau, E. A. (2014). Willingness to be informed and to pay for agricultural extension services in times of climate change: the case of maize farming in northern Benin, West Africa. Climate and Development, 6(2), 132-143.

Most read articles by the same author(s)