Agricultural Information Systems and Communication Networks: The case of Poultry Farmers in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined the Agricultural Information and communication networks among poultry farmers in three (3) area councils of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria. Snow-ball sampling technique was adopted for the study, a total of One hundred and twenty-two (122) respondents were sampled for the study. The main objective was to examine the communication sources and networking available to poultry farmers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The study revealed that majority (60%) of the respondents were still in their productive age, male were the majority (81.1%), while 79.3% had one form of education or the other. The study also showed that majority of the respondents (71.3%) had between 901-1100 birds and 56.2% sold their birds directly to the consumers. The study showed that information disseminated via extension agents, radio, poultry farmers associations and feed millers were found to be effective means of networking among poultry farmers. Out of the thirteen independent variables under consideration: Age, Gender, Household size, Educational level, Years of experience, Access to credit, Access to training, Membership of co-operations and access to communication networks were found to be statistically significant and influence the frequency of access to information. All the constraints under consideration affecting access to information were found to be serious constraints in exception of poor market structures and poor transportation. The study concludes that socio-economic and institutional variables significantly and positively influence poultry farmer’s access to information and communication networks.