IN-SERVICE TRAINING NEEDS OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AGENTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FRUIT-INFESTING FLIES (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

Strengthening the capacities of Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) for effective innovation dissemination is critical for addressing the fruit fly menace in Ghana. A survey was conducted among 150 AEAs in northern Ghana to assess their knowledge and priority management training needs for fruit fly pests. Based on standard instrument and reliable model, 15 competency aspects of fruit flies were developed and used to measure AEAs’ levels of knowledge, importance and level of competence of fruit fly pests. Their in-service training needs were analysed and ranked using mean weighted discrepancy scores (MWDS). AEAs demonstrated good knowledge in six competen-cies and poor knowledge in five competencies. The top five competency areas of fruit flies in need for further training included; knowledge of the economically important species, their economic impact, life cycle, host plant associations and control strategies. Each of these competency areas recorded a MWDS above 7.00. The professional competence of AEAs needs to be strengthened as a prerequisite to combating the fruit fly menace in the country. Staff capacity development pro-grammes for AEAs should look into how these top five critical educational needs on fruit flies can be addressed in training programmes executed by experts of the national fruit fly management committee of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate of Ghana.