THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION DELIVERY IN THE EASTERN REGION, GHANA

ABSTRACT

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has adopted mobile phone for

extension delivery. However, much was unknown the competencies and

frequency of mobile phone use by farmers and extension agents. The study used

descriptive correlation design to assess mobile phone use in agricultural extension

delivery in Eastern Region, Ghana. Multi-stage sampling and structured interview

schedule were used to collect data from 95 AEAs and 330 farmers. Statistical

tools such as frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation, correlation

coefficients, T-test and stepwise multiple linear regression were used to analysis

the data. The study revealed that socioeconomic, mobile phone background

characteristics of farmers and AEAs relate to frequent use of mobile phone for

extension delivery. Farmers and AEAs use voice call mobile phone application

but differently in extension delivery. Differences exist between AEAs and

farmers’ competency in the use of mobile phone. While amount of money spent

per week and quality of network reception are important factors that influence the

frequent use of mobile phone by farmers that of AEAs include type of phone,

income, and age. High call tariffs and access to recharge credit were main

challenges to using mobile phone for extension. The study recommends among

others the need for MoFA to provide training on the use of mobile phone

applications and incentives for farmers and AEAs to use mobile phone.

Furthermore, more youthful AEAs and females should be recruited as AEAs.