The present study explores the integration of critical thinking skills concepts in agricultural project management instruction at the undergraduate level, using the traditional classroom theoretical approach and a blended learning model. The study, encompassing 118 undergraduate students, compares the effectiveness of these methods in enhancing students' understanding, measured through examination scores, group presentations, and students’ overall perceptions of the use of the methods. Students achieved a mean examination score of 64.82% under the traditional approach and 72.66% for the blended learning approach. Statistical analysis, including a t-test, revealed significant differences favoring the blended approach. Additionally, performance assessments using six criteria during presentations yielded varied mean scores. ANOVA analysis showed a significant difference among the groups, and post hoc tests highlighted distinctions between specific groups’ means, emphasizing the effectiveness of blended learning in enhancing students understanding. Students' perceptions, gathered through a 5-point Likert scale, underscored satisfaction with the blended approach due to its flexibility, catering to diverse learning styles, and fostering critical thinking skills. We recommend institutions strengthen project management instruction by adopting blended learning, emphasizing critical thinking, and prioritizing continuous assessment and student-centric approaches since they cultivate an engaging learning experience, preparing students for managing future complexities on projects.

In Ghana, widespread backyard farming on arable land with refuse waste is driven by the enriched physicochemical properties of dumpsite soils, supporting crop growth. However, the enhanced levels of heavy metals have raised concerns among policymakers focusing on the environmental challenges posed by dumpsites soil. The purpose of the study was to assess the awareness of dumpsites farmers on soil physicochemical properties and dangers posed by accumulated toxic heavy metals. A total of 100 vegetable farmers were interviewed in three communities to gauge their awareness of dumpsite soil properties and potential contamination. A semi-structured questionnaire was purposively used to solicit for information from farmers. Chi-square (χ²) test of homogeneity was used to ascertain if there was any uniformity among respondents in the different communities studied. The findings showed that the level of education of the famers had no relationship (p = 0.21) with farmers’ educational level. Dumpsites farmers’ knowledge on soil physicochemical properties had a significant (p = 0.02) relationship with farmers' awareness of toxic elements in dumpsites. Farmers’ soil physicochemical knowledge further had a significant (p = 0.03) relationship with their awareness that, plants on dumpsites absorb toxic elements. Furthermore, ailments commonly associated with heavy metals as reported by farmers included skin rashes, cough, diarrhoea, and cholera. It can be concluded that although dumpsite farmers exhibit some awareness about the physicochemical properties of their soil and the risks associated with toxic heavy metals, there is still room for improvement. Despite education levels not significantly impacting awareness, targeted intervention programs are necessary to enhance understanding and address this pressing issue effectively. We recommend an implementation of a tailored educational programs for dumpsite farmers to enhance understanding of soil properties and heavy metal risks. There should be improved access to soil testing and interpretation to enable informed decision-making among farmers. Foster collaborations among stakeholders for sustainable waste management, soil remediation, and health monitoring to mitigate heavy metal contamination are also recommended.

Cocoa yields in Ghana have been declining in recent years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana Cocoa Board’s Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) extension services, a support programme designed to improve farm productivity. This study investigates the effectiveness of the division’s programme in enhancing cocoa farmers’ technical efficiency (TE), expectations of extension delivery and the challenges faced by extension agents. The study surveyed 240 cocoa farmers in Ghana’s Western North Region and employed a Cobb–Douglas stochastic frontier model together with IV‐based two‐stage least squares (IV‐2SLS) to assess the causal effect of extension on TE while addressing potential endogeneity. The findings revealed that access to extension and visit intensity significantly improved efficiency. Average cocoa yield (311.28 kg/ha) remained below the national target, with farmers operating 18% below the frontier. Farmers with extension access were more efficient (0.85) than those without (0.74), and each additional visit raised efficiency by 2.8%. Farmers’ expectations centred on credit, seedlings and training, but risks of disengagement arose from irregular visits, limited follow‐up and favouritism. Extension agents highlighted staffing, logistics and infrastructure constraints. Overall, the evidence demonstrates that strengthening and restructuring the division’s extension programme through enhanced extension capacity, regular visits, improved logistics, greater inclusivity and stronger linkages with inputs and credit can substantially enhance efficiency, sustain engagement and accelerate the transformation of Ghana’s cocoa sector.