COMMUNICATING WITH RADIO: EXAMINING THE EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS OF FARMERS IN GHANA

Abstract

Farm radio programs have become important conduits of change among farmers. The content, delivery, programming, personnel and benefits need to be evaluated in order to enhance its function in extension delivery. This study sought to examine the experiences and perceptions of farmers on their communications with farm radio programs. The research was conducted in the Bosome Freho District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The sample size was made of 400 farmers who were selected using the multi-stage sampling technique. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages were used. Results show that: farmers agreed that three of the thematic areas; benefits, delivery and programming meet their expectations and needs. However, they were neutral towards two; content and personnel. Based on the findings, the study makes the following recommendations; that farmers should continue to listen and rely on farm radio programs for the benefits they derive from it, that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should put together a structured curriculum that will enrich the content for farm radio broadcasting, and that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should thoroughly train its personnel that handle farm radio broadcasting so that they are always apt for the work.

Keywords

• communication
• radio broadcasters
• radio content
• radio delivery
• radio program
• experiences
• farmers
• farm radio
• ghana