The Use of Farm Information Systems among Grasscutter Farmers in Ga-South Municipality and Awutu-Senya District in Ghana

摘要

The paper investigated farm information systems use among grasscutter farmers in Ga-South and Awutu-Senya District in Ghana. Using frequency, cross tabulations and binary logit model in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18, the study made some findings. Grasscutter farmers in the study area are ageing. They operate on small scale with males dominating the enterprise. The generally literate farmers used production records mostly. Farmers' use of farm information systems did not show positive association with obtaining credit from formal credit institutions. The use of books and loose sheets to keep records of farm operations is most popular with the farmers. Use of computers is least popular. Too much work, no reasons for non-use, and inadequate time at their disposal to spare some for recording were some of the reasons adduced for not using farm information systems. Age, level of education, farm size, and farmer status, membership of association, sex, experience and income were found to be independent of farm information systems use. Government and non-governmental organisations must encourage young persons especially females to engage in the enterprise. An investigation into the causes of low farm size will unearth the causes and as such provide ways to increase farm size as most of the farmers are into full time grasscutter rearing. Members of grasscutter farmers association need to step up their membership drive to recruit more farmers into the association as associations are better to relate to and reach with extension effort.