Dissemination of Agricultural Information to Rural Farmers: A Case of Study of The Sustainable Land And Water Management Project in West Mamprusi.

ABSTRACT

Most farmers in Ghana are not aware of the linkage between inappropriate farming practices such as tillage and water management practices on one hand, and environmental degradation on the other. With an estimated 64 per cent of the natural wealth of Ghana locked up in croplands, there is the need for a more focused attention to address poor agricultural land use and management. The study investigated how communication activities are conducted under the Sustainable Land and Water Management Project in West Mamprusi district, located in the northern region of Ghana, in order to obtain empirical data about the communication activities under this project. Through a qualitative research approach that combined individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observation, the study found that the farmers have a positive perception of the messages they received mostly through communication channels such as personal contacts with agric extension agents (AEAs) and mobile phones. The farmers viewed the AEAs and mobile phones as useful channels to receive messages about Sustainable Land and Water Management (SLWM), although the farmers had a preference for the AEAs. Even though the mobile phone is perceived as a viable alternative to personal contact with the AEAs, there are challenges with its use such as lack of electricity to charge mobile phone batteries and poor network service. The findings of the study suggest that there is a difference in male and female access and utilisation of SLWM messages due to socio-cultural factors which tended to disfavour females. The study recommends among other things a further study about the impact of socio-cultural factors on the access to and utilisation of SLWM messages to verify the findings of this study.