AQUACULTURE EXTENSION SERVICES: A CASE STUDY OF FISH FARMS IN THE EASTERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Extension services plays an important role in the development of aquaculture. Present study assessed the status of aquaculture extension services in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The study examined the socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers (specifically managers and owners of fish farms), the respondent’s assessment of extension services available to them and their general expectation from extension workers. Fifty farms were selected for this study, with either the farm owner or manager being the respondent. The findings of the study indicate that a large number of the respondents (48%) find the extension services unavailable. The farmers prioritize feed preparation and production as their top most need. The study concludes that although the extension service is not available to a large number of farmers (48%), the socio-economic characteristics of farmers indicates that new technologies are likely to be accepted at a higher rate by the farmers. The best of extension services could be achieved through public-private partnership as the aquaculture farmers seems to have great appetite and trust in them.