Effective Communication Strategies Crucial for Smallholder Farmers to Adopt Climate-Resilient Practices

Strategic Insights -

Effective communication strategies are crucial for smallholder farmers in Ghana's Bongo District to adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices and respond to environmental challenges. Research conducted by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) found that local champions, community durbars, and government announcements were the key communication strategies used by 133 smallholder maize farmers. The study suggested that personalized, farmer-centric communication strategies, integrating local knowledge and tailored climate-resilient agricultural messages, are necessary to address the specific needs and conditions of farmers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study selected 133 smallholder maize farmers in Ghana's Bongo District using multi-stage sampling.
  • Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data, showing that local champions (57%), community durbars (99.29%), and government announcements (95%) were key communication strategies used.
  • The research concluded that incorporating personalized, farmer-centric communication strategies, integrating local knowledge and tailored climate-resilient agricultural messages, is necessary to address the specific needs and conditions of farmers.
  • Household headship, access to extension services, and membership in farmer groups were significant factors influencing the adoption of climate-resilient practices.
  • The study highlighted the importance of local knowledge and tailored communication strategies in addressing the specific needs of smallholder farmers.

Statistics:

  • 133 smallholder maize farmers were selected using multi-stage sampling.
  • 57% of farmers used local champions as a communication strategy.
  • 99.29% of farmers relied on community durbars for communication.
  • 95% of farmers received information from government announcements.
  • The study found a significant correlation between household headship, access to extension services, and membership in farmer groups and the adoption of climate-resilient practices.

Sources:

  • Connecting the Dots: How Communication Strategies Shape Climate Response Behaviors Among Smallholder Maize Farmers In Bongo District, Ghana. Environmental Communication, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Reports from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Provide New Insights into Environmental Communication (Connecting the Dots: How Communication Strategies Shape Climate Response Behaviors Among Smallholder Maize Farmers In ...). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. July 18, 2025; p 814.