TITLE
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS AND CONSTRAINTS TO ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION BY FARMERS IN ABOH MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This study analyzed the socio-economic determinants and constraints to access and utilization of agricultural information by farmers in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were employed to select 120 respondents. Primary data were collected with aid of a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using inferential statistics such as multiple regression and factor analyses. Result showed that the coefficient of multiple determinations (R2), was high with a value of 81.91%. This means that about 81.91% variations in the access and utilization of agricultural information was as a result of the combined effects of the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents. The agricultural information accessed mostly were production techniques (53%) and harvesting (23%). The constraints that limited access and utilization of agricultural information for agricultural production included; lack of formal education, lack of willingness to learn, lack of simplicity in training/information, high cost of ICTs facilities, corruption, lack of government encouragement and lack of fund. It was concluded that improving the socio-economic status of the farmers could lead to greater access and utilization of agricultural information in the area. The following recommendations were made based on the research findings; Rural farmers should be encouraged to access formal education as this will help them improve their access to agricultural information which results to increase in agricultural productivity, there should be subsidization of cost of agricultural information as this will increase the access and utilization by rural farmers who have been observed to earn low and farmers should be encouraged to access agricultural credits which will encourage access and utilization of such funds in agricultural production.
LEAD AUTHOR
Enyigwe Juliet Onyemaechi