The nexus between information sources, gender and adoption of fall armyworm management practices in Southern Ghana

Yıl 2024, , 401 - 411, 27.06.2024

Ebenezer Ngissah

https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2024.2.15

Öz

The impact of Fall Army Worm (FAW) infestation on the livelihood outcomes of farmers in Africa is an issue of critical concern. Specificities of information sources and their efficacy in the management of Fall Armyworm remain crucial. Yet still, the nexus between farmers’ information sources and the management of Fall Armyworm appears scarce in the related literature pertaining to the global south. This article answers the research question: What is the relationship between specific information sources and the management practices of Fall Army Worm in Ghana? Using cross-sectional data on 340 smallholder farmers, the findings showed that information derived from peer farmers, Agricultural extension officers, and the media related to the adoption of fall armyworm management practices. Additionally, information from agricultural extension agents has a significant relationship with the use of pesticides, handpicking, and frequent weeding. Generally, the majority (97%) of smallholder farmers remained aware of the presence of FAW and had been negatively affected. We recommend that peer-to-peer extension be harnessed and scaled up in the dissemination of useful agricultural information given the shortfall in adequate agricultural extension officers in Ghana and most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Fall Armyworm, Information sources, Management practices, Gender, Ghana

Kaynakça

• Acquah, E., Levin-Karp, A., and Amoah, K. (2020). Agriculture Sector in Ghana Review Review. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development.
• Adekambi, S. A., Okello, J. J., Abidin, P. E., and Carey, E. (2020). Effect of exposure to biofortified crops on smallholder farm household adoption decisions: The case of orange-fleshed sweetpotato in Ghana and Nigeria. Scientific African, 8, e00362. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCIAF.2020.E00362
• Anaglo, J. N., Antwi, G., Manteaw, S. A., And Kwapong, N. A. (2020). Influence of agricultural information sources on the practices and livelihood outcomes of cassava farmers in eastern region of ghana. Journal of Sustainable Development, 17(1 and 2), 2–10. http://journals.slidenafrica.org/index.php/CAVAII/article/view/289
• Anaglo1, J. N., Boateng1, S. D., and Boateng2, C. A. (2014). Gender and Access to Agricultural Resources by Smallholder Farmers in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Journal of Education and Practice, 5(5). www.iiste.org
• Anang, B. T. (2018). Farm technology adoption by smallholder farmers in ghana. Review of Agricultural and Applied Economics (RAAE), 21(2), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.22004/AG.ECON.281196
• Ankrah, D. A., Freeman, C. Y., and Afful, A. (2020). Gendered access to productive resources – evidence from small holder farmers in Awutu Senya West District of Ghana. Scientific African, 10, e00604. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCIAF.2020.E00604
• Asare-Nuamah, P. (2020). Smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies for the management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in rural Ghana. International Journal of Pest Management, 68(1), 8–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2020.1787552
• Baffoe-Asare, R., Danquah, J. A., and Annor-Frempong, F. (2013). Socioeconomic factors influencing adoption of codapec and cocoa high-tech technologies among small holder farmers in Central Region of Ghana. http://ir.ucc.edu.gh/jspui/handle/123456789/7324
• Chatterjee, S., Dutta Gupta, S., and Upadhyay, P. (2020). Technology adoption and entrepreneurial orientation for rural women: Evidence from India. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 160(August 2019), 120236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120236
• Day, R., Abrahams, P., Bateman, M., Beale, T., Clottey, V., Cock, M., Colmenarez, Y., Corniani, N., Early, R., Godwin, J., Gomez, J., Gonzalez Moreno, P., Murphy, S. T., Oppong-Mensah, B., Phiri, N., Pratt, C., Silvestri, S., and Witt, A. (2017). Fall Armyworm: Impacts And Implications For Africa. https://doi.org/10.1564/v28_oct_02
• Deutsch, C. A., Tewksbury, J. J., Tigchelaar, M., Battisti, D. S., Merrill, S. C., Huey, R. B., and Naylor, R. L. (2018). Increase in crop losses to insect pests in a warming climate. Science, 361(6405), 916–919. https://doi.org/10.1126/SCIENCE.AAT3466/SUPPL_FILE/AAT3466-DEUTSCH-SM.PDF
• FAOSTAT. (n.d.). Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#home
• Gebre, G. G., Isoda, H., Rahut, D. B., Amekawa, Y., and Nomura, H. (2019). Gender differences in the adoption of agricultural technology: The case of improved maize varieties in southern Ethiopia. Women’s Studies International Forum, 76, 102264. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WSIF.2019.102264
• Goergen, G., Kumar, P. L., Sankung, S. B., Togola, A., and Tamò, M. (2016). First Report of Outbreaks of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), a New Alien Invasive Pest in West and Central Africa. PloS One, 11(10). https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0165632
• Kansiime, M. K., Mugambi, I., Rwomushana, I., Nunda, W., Lamontagne-Godwin, J., Rware, H., Phiri, N. A., Chipabika, G., Ndlovu, M., and Day, R. (2019). Farmer perception of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiderda JE Smith) and farm‐level management practices in Zambia. Wiley Online Library, 75(10), 2840–2850. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5504
• Koffi, D., Kyerematen, R., Eziah, V. Y., Osei-Mensah, Y. O., Afreh-Nuamah, K., Aboagye, E., Osae, M., and Meagher, R. L. (2020). Assessment of impacts of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize production in Ghana. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 11(1), 20–21. https://doi.org/10.1093/JIPM/PMAA015
• Kotu, B. H., Alene, A., Manyong, V., Hoeschle-Zeledon, I., and Larbi, A. (2017). Adoption and impacts of sustainable intensification practices in Ghana. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 15(5), 539–554. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2017.1369619
• Kumela, T., Simiyu, J., Sisay, B., Likhayo, P., Mendesil, E., Gohole, L., and Tefera, T. (2018). Farmers’ knowledge, perceptions, and management practices of the new invasive pest, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Ethiopia and Kenya. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/09670874.2017.1423129, 65(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2017.1423129
• Larochelle, C., Alwang, J., Travis, E., Barrera, V. H., and Dominguez Andrade, J. M. (2019). Did You Really Get the Message? Using Text Reminders to Stimulate Adoption of Agricultural Technologies. Journal of Development Studies, 55(4), 548–564. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2017.1393522/SUPPL_FILE/FJDS_A_1393522_SM7262.PDF
• Longari, M. (n.d.). ©FAO/ A new guide A guide for fArmer field SchoolS in AfricA IntegrAted mAnAgement of the fAll Armyworm on mAIze. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from www.fao.org/3/I8665EN/i8665en.pdf
• Macauley, H. (2015). Cereal crops: Rice, maize, millet, sorghum, wheat. https://ir.ucc.edu.gh/xmlui/handle/123456789/4510
• Mittal, S., and Mehar, M. (2015). Socio-economic Factors Affecting Adoption of Modern Information and Communication Technology by Farmers in India: Analysis Using Multivariate Probit Model. Http://Dx.Doi.Org/10.1080/1389224X.2014.997255, 22(2), 199–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2014.997255
• Mudege, N. N., Mdege, N., Abidin, P. E., and Bhatasara, S. (2017). The role of gender norms in access to agricultural training in Chikwawa and Phalombe, Malawi. Gender, Plance and Culture, 24(12), 1689–1710. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2017.1383363
• Muriithi, B. W., Menale, K., Diiro, G., and Muricho, G. (2018). Does gender matter in the adoption of push-pull pest management and other sustainable agricultural practices? Evidence from Western Kenya. Food Security, 10(2), 253–272. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12571-018-0783-6/TABLES/9
• Okwu, O. J., and Umoru, B. I. (2009). A study of women farmers’ agricultural information needs and accessibility: A case study of Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 4(12), 1404–1409. http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR
• Onyeneke, R. U. (2017). African Journal of Agricultural Research Determinants of Adoption of Improved Technologies in Rice Production in Imo State, Nigeria. 12(11), 888–896. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2016.11737
• Ragasa, C., Berhane, G., Tadesse, F., and Taffesse, A. S. (2013). Gender Differences in Access to Extension Services and Agricultural Productivity. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 19(5), 437–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2013.817343
• Tambo, J. A., Day, R. K., Lamontagne-Godwin, J., Silvestri, S., Beseh, P. K., Oppong-Mensah, B., Phiri, N. A., and Matimelo, M. (2020). Tackling fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) outbreak in Africa: an analysis of farmers’ control actions. Taylor and Francis, 66(4), 298–310. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2019.1646942