Tagdev 2.0 Holds Sensitization Workshop on Agricultural Extension Regulatory Framework

Agricultural extension is central to the development and sustainability of agriculture in Ghana. It serves as a critical link between research institutions, policymakers, and farmers by facilitating the transfer of knowledge, modern technologies, and improved farming practices to enhance productivity, ensure food security, increase farmers’ incomes, and promote overall rural development.

Over the years, agricultural extension contributed immensely towards equipping farmers to adopt new technology and knowledge to ensure food sufficiency in the country. Despite its importance to promotion of agriculture in Ghana, extensive delivery has faced several challenges, including inadequate funding, limited personnel, and weak coordination among service providers.

In an effort to strengthen extension services in the country, the Directorate of Agric Extension Services (DAES) has developed a draft Agricultural Extension Policy, and the Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Bill have been developed to address.

It is against this background that the TAGDev 2.0 Programme Coordinating Unit at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in collaboration with Directorate of Agric Extension Services (DAES) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture organised a sensitisation workshop to create awareness on the new Agricultural Extension Policy and the Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Bill.

The bill seeks to promote efficient and effective extension policy and regulation to influence the productivity of youth, smallholder farmers, and other agriculture value chain actors.

Speaking at the workshop the Ag. Director of Directorate of Agric Extension Services (DAES), Ms. Prospera Anku, noted that it is through effective extension and advisory services that innovations, improved technologies, and best practices reach farmers including those in hard-to-reach communities and agribusiness along the agricultural value chain.

She said the bill would ensure that farmers receive reliable, ethical, and high-quality advisory services that respond to their peculiar needs. Ms. Anku indicated that the MoFA was committed to an extension system that is participatory, accountable, gender responsive and results oriented.

She commended TAGDev 2.0 Programme at UCC for creating the platform to bring on board universities, Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Accelerator Organisations, farmers and the private sector to create awareness and solicit their input into the policy and bill.

She noted that the stakeholder engagement was very important as it provides the platform for open dialogue, shared learning, and constructive feedback.

The Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANS), Prof. Rofela Combey, said under the TAGDev 2.0 Programme, the aim is to ensure that Africa’s young people and their institutions drive inclusive, equitable, and climate-resilient socio-economic development. She said for this to happen, Ghana needs a robust, efficient, and effective extension policy that directory enhances the productivity of youth, smallholder farmers, and all actors within the agricultural value chain.

He urged participants to engage fully and contribute effectively towards the discussions.

The Programme Coordinator of TAGDev 2.0 Programme at UCC, Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong, said the programme envisioned efficient and effective extension policy and regulation to influence the productivity of youth, smallholder farmers, and other agriculture value chain actors.

He indicated that a strong extension system would ensure that young people, persons with disabilities and the vulnerable in society actively play a significant role in creating jobs within the agriculture space.