This study assesses sources of information for vegetable farmers in urban part of Accra, Ghana. One hundred vegetable farmers in the study area were sampled and interviewed using structured questionnaires. Findings revealed that urban vegetable farming is regarded as the business of men. Most of the urban vegetable farmers use radio as a source of agricultural information. Farmers use information on agrochemicals acquired in applying fertilizer, weedicides and pest control. A challenge to the urban vegetable farmers in Accra is poor public relations on the part of agricultural extension agents. The study recommends that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture roll out a programme to educate urban vegetable farmers on the various sources of agricultural information and sponsor adult education programmes in the local languages on national radio and television for farmers to help them make use of different sources of agricultural information effectively.
The agricultural sector plays a decisive role in Ghana’s economy, employment, and food security. The study set out to assess the information needs of agricultural extension agents across all the agro-ecological zones of Ghana, in order to provide them with the right information. A structured field survey methodology was used for the study and 472 agricultural extension agents from 40 districts in Ghana served as the respondents. The findings of the study revealed that agricultural extension agents regularly sourced for information from books and reports; visual or pictorial information was the most preferred format for package of information. The AEAs used agricultural extension information to assist in the discharge of their work, and as a basis for advice to farmers on general farm planning and consultancy among others. Challenges identified in accessing information included inadequate information infrastructure and training avenues. The AEAs suggested that critical information infrastructure such as libraries, information centers, and databases be provided as measures to offset the challenges. The study recommended that efforts should be directed at improving extension agents’ access to information infrastructure and that different and wide-ranging media should be developed to supply information to the AEAs.
The study examined the Research scientists' knowledge in the use of Internet resources for research in the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana. A quantitative research approach was adopted for the study, using a survey as research method. A random sampling technique was used to select 109 agricultural research scientists for the study. Data were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire. A total of 98 cases were analyzed which represented 89.9% of the total sample. The data were subjected to frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation, Pearson's product-moment correlation (r) and multiple regression. The results showed that most researchers acquired computer knowledge without undergoing formal training in the use of the Internet. Mostly they learnt through self-development. The researchers used the Internet mostly for research purposes. The study therefore recommended that various institutes should acquire more bandwidth for their Internet connections to accommodate more computers and to improve the Internet speed. Internet networks must be active and continuously sustained in order to make this valued resource effective in all agricultural research institutes.
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