Benefits, barriers, challenges and requirements for the application of digital technologies in agricultural extension in selected regions in Ghana: Perspectives from extension agents

The application of digital technologies in agriculture is noted for effectively contributing to sustaining agri-food systems and improving food and nutrition security worldwide. However, the adoption of these innovations in agricultural extension systems is low in developing countries. The current study sought to examine the benefits, barriers, challenges, and requirements for deploying digital technologies in agricultural extension in Ghana. The study surveyed 125 frontline extension agents using multi-stage sampling techniques and a questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation, principal component analysis, and Kendall's coefficient of concordance were used to analyze the data. It was found that youthful males dominate extension delivery in Ghana. Extension agents regard the benefits of deploying digital technologies in extension as high (Mean = 3.55 ± 0.95). They agreed that the barriers are moderately high (Mean = 3.20 ± 0.91), while the challenges are high (Mean = 3.63 ± 0.95). To improve the application of digital technologies in extension in Ghana, extension agents agreed that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) should initiate strategies to procure digital devices for the Departments of Agriculture to further facilitate the sharing of practical knowledge in the field. Key words: Agricultural extension delivery, benefits, barriers, challenges, digital technologies, extension agents, Ghana.