Appropriateness and Reliability of Agricultural Information Sources Among Arable Crop Farmers in Karu and Kokona Local Government of Nasarawa State. Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examine the appropriateness and reliability of agricultural information sources used by arable crop farmers in kokona and Karu Local Government area of Nasarawa State. Data were collected from 120 respondents through the use of interview schedule and analyzed with descriptive statistics and likert scale. The findings revealed that farmers received their agricultural information mostly through mediated and professional inter-personal channels/methods. The findings further showed that radio ( x = 3.82), opinion leaders (x = 3.75), fellow farmers (x = 3.48), drama (x = 3.47) and women cooperative society (x = 3.08) were the most appropriate sources for disseminating agricultural information. However, the result of the study showed that radio (x = 3.85), fellow farmers (x = 3.67), women cooperative society (x = 3.63), extension agent ( x = 3.52), researchers ( x = 3.47), opinion leaders (x = 3.46) and drama (x = 3.45) were the most reliable channels for communicating agricultural information to farmers. However, Insufficient contact with extension agents ( x =2.83), Inappropriate scheduling of programme ( x =2.76), Lack of time to listen to agricultural information ( x =2.7), Innovation difficulty/complexity of understanding ( x =2.67), Lack of interest and ( x =2.67), Incompatibility of new knowledge with people’s attitude, interest and belief ( x =2.61) were the most serious problems associated with receiving information through the different communication sources. The study therefore recommended that farmer’s interest should be the centre of any innovation and more so the information should be clear and precise. It also points to the need for the provision of enabling environment for such facilities as the internet to thrive in rural areas.