Assessment of Participatory Communication on Utilisation of Agrochemicals: A Case of Ashaiman Farmers

Abstract

Communication and participation are critical segments of the booming agricultural development of a country. The need for farmers to be enlightened more and positively in the application of various farming procedures through communication is indispensable. Different communication systems have little effect on the transformation of small scale farmers in rural zones due to elements such as low cooperation, unfocused programs and innovation. These developments are ineffectively perceived and applied by farmers because there is a barrier in communication channels. This study assesses participatory communication on agrochemicals among farmers in Ashaiman. The information gathered utilizes strategies such as perception, group discussions and interviews. This study analyzes data using cross-tabulations under descriptive statistics. The result shows that the usage of participatory communication is not as satisfying as needed for the smooth running of crop yields. The study looks at the current situation farmers face in agrochemicals utilization and seeks to improve the capacity of farmers by expanding the force of discourse between the farmers and stakeholders to enhance participation. The need for farmers to experience greater involvement from the local and district level of government to enable policies relating to agrochemicals to be more community-oriented, first hand experienced as well as open to aid them in practising good farming techniques in agrochemical application is vital. Various factors and gaps from the local level to national level must be filled entirely to enable the smooth running of communication strategies for individual farmers to bridge communication gaps between them and stakeholders to enhance better implementation and adaptation of agrochemical utilisation.