COMMUNICATION MEDIA USAGE AND UPTAKE PATTERNS OF RHIZOBIUM INOCULANT TECHNOLOGY IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

This study was done in the Northern Region of Ghana (Tolon and Savelegu) in 2017. Primary data on the influence of communication media usage on uptake patterns of rhizobia inoculant technology was collected among 210 respondents using questionnaires. Secondary data was also obtained from SARI, IITA as well as IFDC offices respectively. Descriptive statistics namely percentages and frequencies as well as two-way ANOVA were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that farmers’ level of education, farming experience, marital status and age were significantly related to the communication methods used to access information on rhizobia inoculant, at 5% level of probability; and influence respondents’ decision to use rhizobia inoculant. The results of the study revealed that the types of communication methods used by respondents have significantly influenced respondent’s awareness on the technology. However, on knowledge enhancement, these communication methods did not influence respondents’ knowledge on rhizobia inoculant in the Northern Region of Ghana. This relationship calls for the promoters of rhizobia inoculant to use combination of all the three communication methods to enhance farmers’ knowledge on rhizobia inoculant. The study recommends that local language should be used during radio discussion to ensure effective understanding of message disseminated to farmers on the use of the rhizobia inoculant.