Factors Influencing Extension Delivery in the Volta Cocoa Region of Ghana

Abstract

Effective extension delivery improves farmers’ competencies, adoption, yield, and income levels. Following a mixed-method research approach, this study examines the factors influencing extension delivery in the Volta Cocoa Region of Ghana. The quantitative data was collected using an interview schedule from 420 sampled cocoa farmers whilst Focus Group Discussion, In-depth interview, and observation guides were used to gather the qualitative data. The SPSS 25 and NVivo 12 software were used to analyse the data. The results indicate the prevalence of CHED extension activities and 19.8 percent of the cocoa farmers involved in pluralistic extension. Cocoa farmers perceived the quality of CHED and private extension delivery respectively as acceptable and good. Cocoa farmers used own land, sharecropping, hired labour usually from Togo, and Fidodo (nnoboa) in cocoa farming. Access to credit, price incentives, and low activities of cocoa farmer associations and extension organisations were most pressing challenges cocoa farmers faced. The extension delivery effects: high competency, and adoption levels; yield (Mean:793.5kg/ha and SD: 987.1kg/ha), and income (Mean:GH¢5707.5 and SD:GH¢8270.4) from cocoa were significantly different between CHED and pluralistic extension receivers. Age, experience in cocoa farming, farm size, farm age, CHED empathy and communication, knowledge, attitude, skills, aspirations, participation in FBS and certification; adoption of Farmer Level Purchases innovations, and yield influenced the cocoa extension delivery effects. Financial support; improved number of private extension actors, coverage; and programmes; and an efficient labour system provided by COCOBOD, and private organisations are required to increase cocoa production levels in the Volta Cocoa Region of Ghana.