Promise and Reality of Decentralization: The Case of Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Advisory Services in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana.
Abstract: This study explores the extent to which decentralization has affected farmers’ access to agricultural advisory services in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana. Specifically, it focuses on how political and organizational factors, which are intermediate outcomes of decentralization, affect the availability and relevance of advisory services. The study follows a qualitative research design employing qualitative methods of data construction. A total of 26 semi-structured interviews and 3 focus-group discussions with government officials and farmers were conducted in three farming communities in the study area. Using the soufflé theory of decentralization as a conceptual model for the data analysis, the results indicate that though there is some political commitment to decentralize, decentralization has not led to strengthened institutional capacity, effective stakeholder participation, accountability and adequate funding. This has made extension services almost unavailable in the study area. The study shows that decentralizing service delivery by itself cannot lead to improved access. A careful mix of political and organizational ingredients is required for successful decentralization outcomes.
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