Comparative analysis of two agricultural knowledge systems in Ghana and Kenya to understand information utilization by farmers

Transcription

1 Comparative analysis of two agricultural knowledge systems in Ghana and Kenya to understand information utilization by farmers Ivan Solomon Adolwa University of Kassel/International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Revalorizing Extension: Evidence and Practice April 3-4, 218, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA

2 Agronomic efficiency Introduction Methodology Results & discussion Conclusions Low crop productivity in Africa- Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) a possible solution but is knowledge-intensive and complex No inputs Africa soil health consortium Move towards complete ISFM (Adapted from Vanlauwe et al. 21) 2

3 Producer organizations Introduction Methodology Results & discussion Conclusions Underutilization of ISFM knowledge despite Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) Agroprocessors Education & Training Research FARMERS Extension Credit agencies Prime movers: Policy and regulatory framework, donors 3

4 Introduction Methodology Results & discussion Conclusions Lack of critical examination of information use preferences at different stages of the value chain Objective- assess preferred channels utilized by producers along critical stages of the value chain Approaches: Agricultural Product Value Chain (APVC) framework Uses and gratification theory (Luo 22) Adoption theory (Straub 29) Diffusion of innovation theory (Rogers 23) Innovation, communication channels, social system and time Collaborative communication theory (Mohr et al. 1996) Frequency, bi-directionality, formality and content 4

5 Introduction Methodology Results & discussion Conclusions 185 m asl 11 mm 444, Breadbasket Altitude Rainfall Population Importance 1535 m asl 16-2 mm 1.6 million Breadbasket 5

6 Introduction Methodology Results & discussion Conclusions Data collection and analysis Survey 285 (Tamale) 3 (Kakamega) Soil sampling 322 (Tamale) 459 (Kakamega) Participants and non-participantssystematic random sampling Structured questionnaire: farmers preferred channels for receiving information, socio-demographic, crop production and management, economic activities Soil characteristics TIS ij = σ i j FC ij IU ij, TIS total information score, FC -no. of contacts with the j th channel to the i th farmer, IU - usefulness of the j th channel to the i th farmer (Demiryurek et al. 28) 6

7 Information score Information score Introduction Methodology Results & discussion Conclusions Production stage_tamale AKIS 35 3 *** 25 2 ISFM Non-ISFM Female Male *p <.1 ***p <.1 Marketing stage_tamale AKIS Processing stage_tamale AKIS * *** ISFM Non-ISFM 2 2 Female Male Radio Television Traders Farmer field days Neighbors/friends/relatives 7

8 Information score Information score Introduction Methodology Results & discussion Conclusions Production stage_kakamega AKIS ISFM Non-ISFM Female Male *p <.1 **p <.5 Marketing stage_kakamega AKIS Processing stage_kakamega AKIS ** * ISFM Non-ISFM Female Male 8

9 Introduction Methodology Results & discussion Conclusions Probit model estimating ISFM adoption in Tamale, Ghana and Kakamega, Kenya Tamale Kakamega Total land area cultivated (acres).18 (.14).25 (.31) Total maize area cultivated (acres).26 (.37).65 (.121) Tropical livestock units.3*** (.11) -.93* (.56) Age of HH head (years).12 (.9).2 (.7) HH head education (years).5** (.22).36 (.23) HH size (no.) -.57** (.23).58* (.31) Households with female heads (% ) (.22) Strong formal ties (no.).5 (.148).185 (.216) Strong informal ties (no.) -.82 (.14).35 (.94) Weak formal ties (no.).151 (.98).28 (.58) Weak informal ties (no.) -.152*** (.57).9 (.61) HH in urban/peri-urban area (%).255 (.27).551** (.269) TIS.5* (.3) -. (.) Constant (.621)** -.57 (.53) Observations Wald chi 2 (12) (13) Prob > chi Pseudo R Standard deviation in parentheses 9

10 Introduction Methodology Results & discussion Conclusions Best-bet channels for scale out of production information are mobile phones and interpersonal channels Television and radio are best for scaling out marketing and processing information, but interpersonal channels important in Tamale Women in Tamale disadvantaged in utilization of digital media Policy focus on channeling information through women s social networks and market traders 1

11 Thanks and Acknowledgements Thank you for your attention!!!! Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung Urban Food Plus 11