Modernizing extension services to improve rice productivity: Lessons from Ghanas planting for food and jobs program

Abstract

The Government of Ghana introduced Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program in 2017 to help raise farm productivity, improve food security, create jobs and modernize agriculture. Among the core pillars of PFJ program include the provision of modernized extension service to farmers. This study analyzed the productivity difference between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the modernized extension service among rice farmers in the Talensi District of Ghana using Independent Samples t-test. Productivity is measured as output per acre (kg/acre). A multi-stage sampling technique was used to draw representative samples during the 2019 production season for the study. The results showed that farmers who benefitted from the modernized extension service were more productive than the non-beneficiary farmers. Specifically, average yield of modernized extension service beneficiaries was about 140kg/acre higher than that of non-beneficiary farmers. Key words: Planting for food and jobs, modernized extension service system, independent samples t-test.