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This paper presents a very interesting issue on the question of ICT integration in Ghana’s small-scale agro-processing industry. Its point of departure is that the mobile phone, as an ICT tool, can be positioned to facilitate information sharing, especially in the activities of small-scale processors. The theoretical underpinning for the study was informed by the conceptual framework explaining motivational factors for use of technology. The study therefore sought to document the dynamics of small-scale oil palm processors’ use of the mobile phone in terms of the motivation for its use, value placed on the tool, and how demographic characteristics have influenced its use. It was derived from responses to structured questionnaires administered on 120 small-scale oil palm processors selected from nine communities in the Kwaebibirem Municipality of the Eastern Region, Ghana, using Yamane’s sample size determination approach. Data collected were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 21.0. The study showed a high rate of mobile phone usage among the small-scale oil palm processors with 81.7% of the respondents indicating that the tool had facilitated their access to information. All the variables, except marital status, were statistically significant at 5% level of significance, with gender, age and education showing positive effect on the use of mobile phones. The major constraint identified by the processors was the lack of access to mobile telecommunication services (89%). The arguments of this paper are that creating an enabling environment holds the key to effective integration of digital technologies in extension information delivery. This will modernise the agricultural extension activities directed at small-scale oil palm processors to make them more efficient.

This paper makes the firm assumption that the effective use of ICT tools such as the mobile phone may hold the key to introducing the needed dynamism and efficiency in agricultural extension delivery in Ghana. It therefore seeks to examine the dynamics of the use of mobile phone among poultry farmers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. One hundred and fifty poultry farmers selected from the Greater Accra Region were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The study showed a high penetration of mobile phones among the poultry farmers. A regression analysis showed that demographic variables such as age, sex, educational level, experience and size of holdings influenced the use of mobile phone. Network failure was cited as the major constraint to the use of mobile phones. There is the need for the required investment to build a more robust infrastructural base for the use of mobile phone as it remains a critical tool to supporting agricultural extension delivery among Ghanaian farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed information sources for urban mushroom farmers in Accra, Ghana. One hundred farmers were sampled, and a structured questionnaire was administered to solicit information from the respondents. Results showed that the majority of farmers were male (71%) and most (60%) with university education. The majority (44%) had 1-5 years of experience in mushroom cultivation. Co-farmers (89.8%), the Mushroom Growers Association (79.6%), training workshops (73.5%), and the Farmers' Forum (29.6%) readily served as information sources for farmers. The research revealed that, for 52% of farmers, ignorance of information sources was a major hindrance in their quest for information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted to assess poultry farmers' information needs and sources in selected rural communities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Data were collected from 150 poultry farmers in 13 communities. Information on disease management, egg storage, feeding and nutrition, vaccination, shelter, pesticide application, marketing of poultry products, and debeaking were the major information needs of the poultry farmers in the study area. The major sources of information for the poultry farmers were from family and friends, the Internet, books, the veterinary office, leaflets, television, researchers, and newspapers. Some of the major constraints faced by poultry farmers when accessing information include lack of skills to access information, inadequate information resources on poultry, inadequate veterinary officers, lack of information centers, and inappropriate airing time of agricultural program on radio stations. The study recommended that community libraries and information centers should be established: It is important that such rural libraries and information centers should contain simple agricultural reading materials, such as leaflets, agricultural magazines, books, and research reports that are written in non-technical language. The veterinary service department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should identify relevant sources and use them to deliver information to the poultry farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]