The Effect Of Informal Information Networks On The Flow And Provision Of Agricultural Information: The Case Of Ahafo Ano South District, Ghana.

ABSTRACT To improve agricultural development and to empower farmers to make sound, practical decisions, access to reliable agricultural information and knowledge is required. Farmers who are unable to access agricultural information from formal sources frequently turn to information transmitted through their informal information networks. The study examined existing informal agricultural information networks by using network characteristics, i.e., Network density, Centralization Measures (Degree Centralization and Betweenness Centralization) and explored the implication of such characteristics on the flow and provision of information. Specifically the study sought to meet the following objectives: find out the existing local information networks for the transmission of agricultural information, their characteristics, and the major providers of information in the various networks; determine the strength of network ties among members of the information networks and how these affect availability of agricultural information; and to examine the differences between actors in the various information networks and its influence on the availability of information. The study was conducted in three communities and the snowball method of sampling for network analysis was used in selecting respondents. Key communicators were identified by means of the sociometric technique. The networks were presented in the form of sociograms in order to reveal the ties between actors in the networks. A high density of information ties was observed among a comparatively small group of core farmers, demonstrating the existence of a core-periphery structure in all three communities. Key communicators were identified on the basis of membership of local groups, status in the community, output access to training programs and experience acquired over many years of farming; thus serving as conduits between actors in the informal networks, spreading available information throughout the farming community. The findings revealed a level of disparity in actor influence in the networks, signifying the presence of individuals who had some influence over the flow and provision of information. In addition, the networks were heterophilous with respect to the ties formed between actors. It is recommended that extension service providers should target key communicators of informal information networks as they can serve as essential sources of information in disseminating information to farmers in a community. The study also suggests the use of farmers who can serve as intermediaries by virtue of their links with various actors.