Appraisal of the Agro-Tech Smart Extension Model in Ghana, Payment options and Challenges in ICT-enabled extension services delivery

2017

english

The role of ICT- enabled extension services delivery for enhanced agricultural productivity cannot be overemphasized. In this article the effectiveness of AgroTech Model piloted by Grameen Foundation in Ghana is assessed. The AgroTech Model is a private led ICT- enabled extension and support services. The study methodology involved two pronged approaches including a desk review of existing literature and a primary survey of 402 agricultural value chain actors. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Study findings showed that the Agro-Tech Model has high performance rating among farmers interviewed. More than one third of the farmers rated the performance of the AgroTech Model as Excellent (above 70%) while 27% rated the performance as Good (70 - 50%). Factors such as timely supply of inputs, cost implications and improvement in crop yields that translate into additional income influenced farmers’ decisions on the performance rating of the AgroTech Model. Awareness of the AgroTech model among males in the communities surveyed was higher than females. Overall, willingness to pay for extension and support services was estimated at 58%. However, willingness to pay for extension and support services was slightly higher among male farmers (59.1%) than female farmers (55.3%)

Quaye, W.; Asafu-Adjaye, N. Y.; Yeboah, A.; Osei, C.; Agbedanu, E. E