THE USE OF EXTENSION COMMUNICATION CHANNELS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON MAIZE YIELD: THE CASE OF FALL ARMYWORM OUTBREAK IN NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

This research examines the usage of extension communication channels and its effects on maize yield in the northern region of Ghana. This was done under two situations, emergency and non emergency periods. The emergency period here represents the 2017/2018 outbreak of the fall armyworm, whiles the following year is considered nonemergency. A multi stage purposive sampling technique was used, focusing on the districts and the communities with the highest reported cases of infestation. A snowballing technique was then used in the selection of the farmers for the sample. A farmer's inclusion in the sample is based on the fact that, his or her farm was infested and must cultivate maize in the subsequent year. Savelugu Municipal, East Gonja Municipal and West Mamprusi district were selected and a total of 318 farmers and 16 extension agents were interviewed. The multivariate probit analysis, multinomial endogenous treatment effect, multinomial probit and the Kendall coefficient of concordance were used in the analysis of the data for various research questions. The results showed an increase in the usage of communication channels in the emergency situation than in the nonemergency case. In both situations, some factors explaining the choices of these channels varied, while others agreed. Channels are found to be more complementary in the emergency case. Using more than two channels in emergency negatively affected maize yield. It is further revealed that cost of armyworm control technique, it availability, level of infestation, house hold size and education of farmers determined the farmers choice of control techniques. Extension agents considered allowances and transportation as the most pressing challenge in their profession in the region. Policy recommendations from these results are suggested.