Analysis of the partnership between the university of cape coast, ministry of food and agriculture, and gtz in an integrated crop protection project in Brong Ahafo region of Ghana

Abstract

This paper presents a study that analysed the partnership between the University of Cape Coast, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and GTZ (German Technical Cooperation) in the Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) Project in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Interview schedules, farmer meetings, and field tours were used to collect data from 80 farmers involved in the project. Analysis of students’ dissertations, project documents and personal communication with students and lecturers/supervisors were also used to gather data for this study. The study revealed that the partnership was not necessarily formal but involved groups with complimentary objectives and roles aimed solving farmers’ problems. The partnership acted as a forum for rural development. The levels of adoption of the ICP technologies by farmers were high. The major problem was that of group formation process. Valuable agricultural data were generated for future programme planning. The interactions among people involved in the partnership enhanced positive perceptions toward each other. Among the factors that enhanced the partnership were good and committed leadership, open-minded communication, and sharing of common resources. The study suggests, among other things, that partnership between private and public sectors is possible. However, it should dovetail into existing structures