Enhancing the food security of the rural poor; the role of the extension services: a case study of the Asunafo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana
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Date
2005-11-03
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Abstract
The issue of food being a very important necessity in the survival of man has been firmly established by a number of international organizations such as the United Nations and Food and Agriculture Organization showing commitments to sustainable food security. National governments including the Government of Ghana have all demonstrated commitment to achieving food security. It is very important to note that the Agricultural extension service, a key to improving food security dates back to early days of civilization and has played a very significant role in achieving sustainable food production and supply in the world. In Ghana, investment in the agricultural extension has been one of the biggest investment decisions of the government. Yet the ability of the services to deliver has always been constrained by a number of teething problems.
The main objectives of the study are to investigate how the food security of the rural farmers can be enhanced through the support of the Extension Services Department. Other objectives include the assessment of the capacity of the extension services (both public and private) in the district to play its role effectively to meet the needs of the farmers, assess the extent of access to extension services in the study district and the effectiveness and efficiency of these services to farmers and to make recommendations based on the findings of the study to address any identified bottlenecks or difficulty.
The cluster, randomized and purposive sampling techniques were used to select farmers, and extension staff for interviews. The major methods of data collection were field survey, informal discussion, personal observation and desk study. Descriptive statistical techniques were used for the analysis of the data.
The results of the study affirm to the fact that the role of the extension services is very important in enhancing the capacity of farmers in production, storage, processing and marketing of food produce. However the function of the extension services cannot be left in the hands of the Department of the Extension Services alone because of the teething problems that have already been identified in this study. Besides, the role of the extension services as a catalyst in enhancing the food security of the farmers in the rural areas will be meaningful only when the problems associated with the appropriate supporting services are addressed.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in
partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award
of Master of Science degree in Development
Planning and Management, 2005