Employing agricultural extension delivery services for improving cocoa bean quality

Abstract

AbstractAgricultural extension services are supposed to provide farmers with the know-how and abilities they need to boost productivity, and create premium cocoa beans. In this study, a sample of 384 farmers participated and data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that demonstration farms (72.92%) are very effective for disseminating innovations to cocoa farmers. Farmers believe that agricultural extension services play a favourable role in improving the quality of cocoa (Mean = 3.93). Household size, years of farming, off-farm activities, access to credit and access to technical assistance statistically influence cocoa farmers’ choice of extension delivery methods (p < 0.05). Cocoa farmers perceive that agricultural extension services exert positive influence on various aspects of cocoa production (Mean = 3.96). The farmers ranked insufficient knowledge and awareness about the benefits of adopting agricultural extension methods for cocoa bean quality enhancement as their most critical constraint (Mean rank: 1.26). Based on the findings, there should be a concerted effort to promote the establishment of demonstration farms within cocoa-growing regions to serve as practical learning hubs where farmers can observe and learn about new techniques for improving their cocoa bean quality.

Keywords

• Demonstration farms
• effectiveness
• farmer training
• radio
• rural development
• George Mudimu, Development Sciences, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Marondera, Zimbabwe