African Information Ethics (LIS/Philosophy/Social) | 14 March 2009
Mobile Agriculture Extension Services and Farmer Productivity in Ghana's Grassfields Region: An Action Research Study
A, b, e, n, a, A, d, z, a, k, w, a
Abstract
Mobile agriculture extension services (MAES) have emerged as a promising tool for enhancing agricultural productivity in developing countries like Ghana. In particular, MAES can provide farmers with timely information and support through mobile technology, which is crucial given the region's geographical constraints and limited access to formal education. The study employed a mixed-methods approach involving both qualitative interviews with extension officers and quantitative surveys conducted among randomly selected farmer participants. Data analysis included thematic coding for themes emerging from interview transcripts and descriptive statistics for survey results. Findings indicate that MAES significantly improved farmers' knowledge about best agricultural practices, leading to an average yield increase of 15% in crops such as maize and soybeans compared to pre-MAES levels. Farmers also reported a notable improvement in livestock health management through better access to veterinary advice. The study demonstrates the potential of MAES in boosting agricultural productivity, particularly for smallholder farmers in rural areas where traditional extension services are limited by geographical barriers. Given the positive impact observed, it is recommended that government and non-governmental organizations continue to invest in expanding and improving Mobile Agriculture Extension Services, with a focus on enhancing service quality and accessibility across all regions of Ghana. Mobile agriculture extension services, farmer productivity, Ghana's Grassfields region