EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES ON YIELD OF MAIZE FARMERS IN NORTH EAST REGION OF GHANA: IMPLICATION FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Agriculture extension service plays a crucial role in the agriculture sector of Ghana. However, farmers may not have the right knowledge and information to explore the full benefit of these services because it is not well captured in the current curriculum. This research investigated the effects of agricultural extension services on the yield of maize farmers in the north east region of Ghana and its implication on curriculum development The study used a quantitative research method with a cross-sectional survey approach. Using a purposive sampling technique with the Cochran sample determination formula, a total of (306) maize farmers were sampled from 1000 registered maize farmers in the region across three purposively selected districts (East mamprusi, Mamprugu moagduri and the Bunkpurugu- Nakpanduri districts, for each of these cluster, 102 maize farmers were randomly selected to make up the total of 306 farmers. The entire population of agriculture science teachers (67) and agriculture extension officers (51) were also interviewed. The study offers policymakers the needed information on the current state of agriculture extension services in the region. It will contribute to the body knowledge of information on agricultural extension services and how it affects the development of educational curricula. Some of the key findings indicated that; the intervention of extension services generally improved maize yield by 71.3%. However, there is a significant variation of responses regarding the current curriculum, not offering respondents practical experience with a p-value of 0.045, and that learning is more theoretical with a p-value less than 0.001. Respondents again disagreed that there are links between students and extension departments in the country with p-value 0.13. Biological and technological factors as well as the educational level of the farmer were found to be significantly associated with the yield of farmers with p-values less than 0.001, 0.002, and 0.004 respectively. The study concluded that extension service intervention positively affected the maize yield of farmers. The study concluded that communication is a major challenge affecting the extension officers in the discharge of their duties. It is recommended that the curriculum be revised taking into account the concerns and experiences of both farmers and the extension officers to enhance the effectiveness of the extension delivery system in Ghana