Development Interventions and Agriculture Adaptation: A Social Network Analysis of Farmer Knowledge Transfer in Ghana

Abstract

Abstract:Social ties play an important role in agricultural knowledge exchange, particularly in developing countries with high exposure to agriculture development interventions. Institutions often facilitate agricultural training projects, with a focus on agroecological practices, such as agroforestry and agrobiodiversity. The structural characteristics of social networks amongst land managers influences decision-making to adopt such adaptive agroecoloigcal practice; however, the extent of knowledge transfer beyond direct project participants is often unknown. Using a social network approach, we chart the structure of agrarian knowledge networks (n = 131) in six communities, which have been differentially exposed to agriculture development interventions in Ghana. Farmer network size, density and composition were distinctly variable; development project-affiliated farmers were embedded in larger networks, had non-affiliated farmers within their networks, were engaged in more diverse agricultural production and reported adopting and adapting agroecological practice more frequently. Such bridging ties that link across distinctive groups in a network can expose network members to new and innovative agroecological practices, such as increasing agrobiodiversity, thus, contributing to livelihood strategies that mitigate environmental and market risk. Furthermore, we show that these knowledge networks were crop-specific where network size varied given the type of crop produced. Such factors, which may influence the rate and extent of agroecological knowledge diffusion, are critical for the effectiveness of land management practices as well as the persistence of agriculture development interventions.

An experiment in strengthening the networks of remote communities in the face of environmental change: leveraging spatially distributed environmental memory

“…BBoundary-spanning individuals^(i.e., individuals who connect different networks) and external links to outreach professionals are known to contribute to the innovativeness of agricultural systems (Klerkx et al 2010;Lubell et al 2011). Bridging ties across distinctive groups can diffuse insular land management techniques by exposing network members to different practices (Cadger et al 2016;Klerkx and Leeuwis 2008;Klerkx and Leeuwis 2009;Newman and Dale 2005). Agricultural producers with links to external actors are more successful at managing agrodiversity (Isaac 2012).…”

“…Formal and informal networks of information-sharing relationships between individuals and groups play important roles in the facilitation of natural resource management, the encouragement or prevention of changes in land use, agricultural innovation, and the diffusion and adoption of farming practices (Bodin et al 2006;Cadger et al 2016;Conley and Udry 2001;Demiryurek 2010;Hoang et al 2006;Isaac 2012;Isaac et al 2014;Klerkx et al 2010;Leeuwis 2004;Matous and Todo 2015;Matouš et al 2013;Prell et al 2009Prell et al , 2010Rogers 2003;Solano et al 2003;Spielman et al 2009Spielman et al , 2011Tengö and Belfrage 2004).…”

Analysing the social network of technology and information transfer for maize sheller service providers in Zimbabwe

“…For their enterprises to be successful, it is suggested that having a strong social network with customers and other service providers can be vital for demand creation. The dissemination of information and the successive implementation of technology depend highly on social relationships since social ties within and beyond community boundaries are important for individuals and the group to get useful information from exterior agencies (Cadger et al, 2016). New innovations and markets will entail that farmers have entrance to better information.…”

“…Studies conducted in Ghana have shown that informal networks play a vital role in agriculture and these networks improve flexibility and allow new innovations (Cadger et al, 2016).Moreover, SNA is a useful tool for identifying patterns of dissemination for knowledge and technology in agricultural production. Apart from understanding network structure and distribution of knowledge within the society, it is also important to know the power of formally established, knowledge sharing sources within an agricultural information setting and the implications with regards to information transfer to a larger agricultural setup (Cadger et al, 2016).When examining social networks, it is important to analyze characteristics of individual players and how they relate with others within the overall network (Prell et al, 2009). The exchange of information can be through individuals, organizations or partners who may be linked together.…”

Effects of Devolution on Efficiency of Agricultural Extension in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…This is only possible through an efficient extension work that can appropriately link findings of research and needs of the farmers thereby making them adopt latest agricultural technology that ultimately increases their production efficiency (Hasan et al, 2013). It is universally recognized that agricultural extension is the main carrier of agriculture knowledge which accelerate the transfer and sharing of knowledge that can be adopted and promote productivity which in turn improves the living standard of rural people in the ever changing climatic situation and eventually helpful for reducing poverty in developing and developed countries (Cadger et al, 2016). Since independence, different extension approaches like General Extension Approach, Commodity Specialized Approach, Farming System Research/Extension Approach, Cost Sharing Approach, Participatory Extension Approach, Educational Institutional Approach, Project Approach and Training & Visit System have been implemented time to time to benefit the farmers.…”