A participative learning approach to agricultural development : a Ghanaian case

Abstract

This dissertation is the documentation of a participative learning project with the purpose of facilitating improvement in farming and agricultural development work in the Hohoe district of Ghana. This study was done in a context in which (a)agricultural production is carried out by small scale farmers who depend on social networking at the village level, for the distribution and management of agricultural resources, and on local knowledge for productive purposes; (b)government efforts at agricultural development is implemented through the activitiesof its agricultural development agencies - Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MIST).Participative learning, based on the logic and concepts of action research, experiential learning and critical systems learning, was used as a methodological framework. The conclusion drawn from this inquiry is that participative learning is a legitimate and an effective way of facilitating the development of food and other agricultual production. The challenge is therefore for individuals and organizations involved in the development of agricultural production to establish suitable processes and relationships to support participative learning.

Date of Award	1998
Original language	English