ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON EXTENSION SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Agricultural Extension, which depends largely on information exchange between and among farmers and extension agents, is an area in which Information and Communication Technology (lCT) can have significant impact. This study principally assessed the effects of ICT in extension service delivery in the Northern Region. A sample size of 180 respondents consisting of ninety (90) Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and ninety (90) farmers were interviewed and the results analyzed. Kendal Concordance Coefficient was employed in ranking constraints AEAs and farmers face in the use of ICTs. The results of the study revealed that phone and radio were the commonest ICTs used by farmers and AEAs in the Northern Region of Ghana. An inadequacy of ICT facilities was the most limiting constraint AEAs are faced with in the use ofICTs, closely followed by lack of technical know-how. Lack of funds was the most limiting constraintfarmers are faced with in the use of ICT, followed by illiteracy. The perceived effects of ICTs by farmers and AEAs in extension service delivery were timely delivery of information, enhanced bargaining power of farmers and saved cost, time and risks of frequent travels to and from farmers by AEAs. In view of the above the study recommended that MoFA should consider given phone cards units to AEAs to enable them reach out to large numbers of farmers with agricultural information. The current solar energy system under the pilot programme should be extended by the government to all rural communities in the Northern Region to enable farmers use the electricity for their phones and radios. The ICT departments of the DADU should draws up and implement the training of AEAs on the use of some lCTs.