Analysis of Communication Methods for Agricultural Extension Delivery in the Houet Province of Burkina Faso

Abstract

Communication is key to agricultural development and major stakeholders have been called upon to rethink about the way it should be modelled. The study analysed communication methods for agricultural extension delivery in Houet Province of Burkina Faso. A descriptive-correlational survey research design was used for the study. A census of 64 Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and 99 farmers were involved in the study. Questionnaire and scheduled interview were used to collect data. SPSS version 15 and Excel were used to generate descriptive statistics and one way Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) was used to test the significance of differences in the variables and among groups at a 5% alpha level. The study revealed that agricultural extension agents were highly competent in the use of farm and home visit methods of extension. Field trip was the most important source of information for AEAs while fellow famers were the most consulted information source for farmers. The study showed significant differences between the extent of use of selected communication methods and age and educational level of AEAs while the level of education of farmers differed significantly with the sources of information: ages, farming experience, extent of use of communication methods, and land tenancy influenced the perceived effectiveness of selected communication methods. The study recommended among others the need for government to introduce extension-teaching programmes in all the professional training schools and centres of the ministries of rural development to equip AEAs with fundamentals in the use of selected extension communication methods.