Assessing Farmer Field School Impacts in Ghanaian Rice Sector Extension Services

Thesis Abstract

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) have become a cornerstone of participatory extension in Ghana’s rice sector, yet systematic evidence on their impacts remains limited for policy-makers and practitioners. This study addresses the problem of limited understanding of how FFS participation influences production efficiency, adoption of new practices, and farmer empowerment within Ghanaian rice value chains. The aim is to evaluate the impacts of FFS on technical efficiency, yield, input use, knowledge retention, and collective action among smallholder rice farmers, with a view to informing scaling strategies and resource allocation. Specific objectives are (1) to estimate the effect of FFS participation on rice yield, technical efficiency, and fertilizer/ pesticide use; (2) to examine changes in knowledge, attitudes, and adoption of improved agronomic practices; (3) to assess improvements in farmers’ bargaining power and participation in local extension networks; and (4) to identify determinants of successful FFS outcomes and conditions under which impacts are maximized. A mixed-methods design will be employed, integrating a quasi-experimental counterfactual framework with qualitative insights. The population comprises smallholder rice farmers in the Volta, Northern, and Brong-Ahafo regions of Ghana, actively engaged in district-level extension programs. A sample of 600 farmers will be selected using multi-stage stratified sampling, with 300 FFS participants and 300 non-participants matched on farm size, tenure, and agro-ecological zone. Primary data will be collected through structured interviews, administered in local languages, supplemented by a standardized knowledge assessment instrument and farmer records from extension offices. Data collection will span two agricultural seasons to capture seasonal variability. The instruments will be pre-tested for validity and reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha target above 0.70 for scales measuring knowledge, attitudes, and practices. For quantitative analysis, Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) will be used to estimate technical efficiency scores and their association with FFS participation, controlling for farm and plot characteristics. Propensity score matching (PSM) will be applied to address selection bias between FFS participants and non-participants. Multivariate regression (ordinary least squares and, where appropriate, instrumental variable techniques) will assess the impact of FFS on yield, input use, and profitability. Qualitative data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews with extension agents, cooperative leaders, and district agriculture officers will be analyzed thematically using NVivo, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Intervention Research (CFIR) to interpret implementation contexts and mechanisms. The study will integrate findings through a convergent parallel design, triangulating quantitative estimates with qualitative insights. Expected findings include (i) statistically significant positive effects of FFS on rice yield and technical efficiency, with larger effects in regions with active farmer-to-farmer diffusion and robust extension support; (ii) increased adoption of best practices such as improved seed, fertilizer management, and integrated pest management among participants; (iii) enhanced farmer knowledge and confidence leading to greater participation in local extension networks and producer organizations; and (iv) identification of contextual moderators such as group dynamics, market access, and gender participation that influence the magnitude of impacts. The study is expected to demonstrate that FFS fosters not only technical improvements but also social learning and collective action, contributing to resilience in rice production systems. Theoretical framing will anchor analysis in the Diffusion of Innovations and the Agricultural Extension Theory, complemented by CFIR to capture implementation processes. The study contributes to knowledge by providing robust, context-specific evidence on how participatory extension models translate into measurable productivity and empowerment outcomes in a major staple crop system. Policy implications include recommendations for refining FFS curricula, strengthening extension–farmer linkages, and prioritizing regions with demonstrated readiness for scaling. The conclusion will emphasize scalable, evidence-based strategies for integrating FFS within national rice development plans and provincial agricultural development programs, with targeted actions to enhance inclusivity and sustainability.