Comparative Study of Interpersonal and Mass Media Usage among Rural Farmers in Kogi State

الموضوعات :

Adejoh S. O. ¹ , Adejo P.E. ² , Edoka M.H. ³

1 - Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Kogi State University Anyigba, Nigeria
2 - Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Kogi State University Anyigba, Nigeria
3 - Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Kogi State University Anyigba, Nigeria

تاريخ الإرسال : 13 الخميس , ربيع الأول, 1437 تاريخ التأكيد : 13 الخميس , ربيع الأول, 1437 تاريخ الإصدار : 09 الإثنين , صفر, 1436

الکلمات المفتاحية: Mass Media, Communication, Interpersonal, usage, Preference,

ملخص المقالة :

This study compared the use of interpersonal and mass media channels of communication among rural farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio economic characteristics of the farmers, determine the influence of socioeconomic characteristics on the usage of interpersonal and media channels, ascertain farmers’ level of awareness of interpersonal and media channels and compare farmers’ preference to interpersonal and media channels in the study area. Primary data was used for the study. Data used were collected from the four agricultural zones (A, B, C and D) in the State. A total of 240 respondents were used for the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, logit regression analysis and z-test. Results of the findings showed that majority of the sampled respondents were literate male farmers in their active productive age, with an average household size of 7 members and a mean annual farm income of N 137,756. Number of years spent in school significantly influenced the use of interpersonal and mass media channels of communication at 10% level of significance. The findings further indicated that 94.6% and 77.9% of the respondents were aware of interpersonal and mass media channels of communication respectively. However, farmers in the area mostly preferred mass media channel to interpersonal channel of communication. The study recommends that rural radio booster stations and community rural television stations should be established to feature special programmes targeted at rural farmers in their local languages. To ensure regular availability and accessibility to extension agents, efforts should be made to employ more extension agents.

المصادر:

1) Adejoh, S. O. (2014). Assessment of Mass Media Usage by Urban and Rural Farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. A Ph.D research project, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Kogi State University, Anyigba. Pp 41-42.

2) Agbamu, J. U. (2006). Essentials of Agricultural Communication in Nigeria. Lagos: Malthouse Press Limited.

3) Boz, I. and Ozcatalbas, O. (2010). Determining information sources used by crop producers: A case study of Gazientep province in Turkey. African Journal of Agricultural Research 5(10):980-987

4) Daudu, S., Chado, S. S. and Igbashal, A. A. (2009). Agriculture information sources utilized by farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. Patsunk Journal 5:39-48

5) Jiggins, J., Samanta, R. and Olawoye, J. (1997). Improving women farmers’ access to extension services, in Swanson, B., Bentz, R. and Sofranko, J. (eds) Improving Agricultural Extension: a reference manual, Rome: FAO. 

6) Kogi State Agricultural Development Project (KADP). (2008). Village Listing Survey. An Occasional Paper of the Planning and Evaluation Unit. Lokoja. Pp 3.

7) Mikloda, P. I. (2006). The Effect of Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme on Household Income and Consumption in Adamawa state, Nigeria. A PhD thesis, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. Pp 151.

8) Okwu, O. J. and Daudu, S. (2011). Extension communication and channels’ usage and preference by farmers in Benue State Nigeria. Journal of Agric Extension and Rural Development 3:88-94.

9) Orebiyi, J. S., Eze, C. C., Henri-Ukoha, A., Akubude, F. C. and Ibitoye, S. J. (2011) Demand for Institutional Credit from NACRDB by Small Scale Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. international Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology. 1(2):83-87.

10) Oto, J. O. and Shimayohol D. (2011).Extension communication channels’ usage and preference by farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Vol. 3(5):88-94

11) Ozowa, V. N. (1995). Information needs of small scale farmers in Africa-The Nigerian example. Quarterly Bulletin of International Association of Agricultural Information Specialist, LAALD/CABI 40(1):15-20.