TITLE
ACCESSIBILITY AND UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION BY FARMERS IN ABOH MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This study analyzed the agricultural information accessibility and utilization by farmers in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling techniques were employed to select 120 respondents used for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means, frequency, percentage, mean scores and Chi-square test. Result showed that the most predominant classes of agricultural information by the rural farmers were; town crier (95.83%), friends (90.83%), radio (80.83%) and extension agents (86.67%). Also, the most accepted factors of accessing and utilizing information by farmers were; access to extension agents (X = 4.13), cost of accessing information (X = 3.89), access to ICT facilities (X = 3.78) and nature of information (X = 3.53).The agricultural information accessed mostly was production techniques (X= 4.67) and harvesting (X= 4.16). Production techniques (X = 4.52) and harvesting (X = 3.89) were also the most utilized agricultural information in the area. The result of null hypothesis showed that there is significant difference between access and utilization of agricultural information by the respondents. It was concluded that adequate access and utilization of agricultural related information by the farmers could lead to increased agriculture production and improved welfare of the farmers. Recommendations such as training of farmers on the use of modern information and communication technologies, employing and mobilizing extension agents for enhanced extension service delivery, improving method of information dissemination by town criers as well as improving information dissemination in input distribution, storage techniques and marketing strategies among others.
LEAD AUTHOR
Enyigwe Juliet Onyemaechi