Demographic characteristics of farmers and the effectiveness of disseminating information on agriculture in Ghana

Abstract

The study investigates how improved knowledge and understanding of agricultural information could enhance the livelihoods of farmers’ and their level of access to agricultural information. The purpose of the research is to explore demographic characteristics of farmers and the effectiveness of disseminating information on agriculture in Ghana. A hypothesis involving three null and alternative issues was discussed to enhance the effective dissemination of agricultural information, where Farmers' educational level influences the effectiveness of disseminating agricultural information (H1: μ > 108 or H1: p = 0.25). The quantitative research approach was applied for the study and a total sample size of 108 farmers was used for the study. Quantitative data gathered were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0. The Fishers’ Exact Test was applied to ascertain the significance of relationship between variables. The findings of the study found positive and significant (p < 0.05) relationship between formal education and agricultural information dissemination. The study concludes that the middle-aged of 46 years of age were involved in agriculture. The study recommends that the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should continue building capacity of agricultural extension agents to effectively disseminate relevant agricultural information to farmers. The studies advocate that information professionals should work together to strategize on how agricultural information can widely be disseminated to farmers in Africa. Agricultural information policies and strategies on effectiveness of disseminating agricultural information to farmers are urgently needed to address the call for best farming practices among farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.