Information provision for sustainable agricultural production in the Tolon- Kumbungu district of the northern region, Ghana

Abstract

The study sought to identify the methods of information provision to farmers and to evaluate how information is made accessible to farmers as well as the constraints farmers face in the Tolon-Kumbungu District of the Northern Region. Six communities were used for the study. Data was collected from one hundred and fifty farmers and nine non-farmers from the Tolon/Kumbungu District. The systematic sampling technique was used to select the farmers while the non-farmers were selected purposively. Questionnaires were used to gather the needed data. Personal observations and interaction with extension officers were also carried out. The study revealed that the level of information on agriculture in all the communities is encouraging. It further identified some challenges to sustainable agriculture as follows: lack of inputs, poor tractor services, inadequate credit facilities and poor road network. It recommended the need for more agricultural extension officers to educate and disseminate agricultural information to rural farmers and to also encourage and intensify the use of radio programmes on farming practices in local languages in the area. Rural farmers should be encouraged to enroll in adult literacy classes so that they can take advantage of agricultural information captured in print.