Factors Influencing the effectiveness of communication network among women farmers in Chanchaga Local Government of Niger State, Nigeria. In: Farinde, A. J., Ladele, A. A., Obinne, C. P., Akinbile, I. A. and Adekoya, A. E. (eds.) The state of agricultural extension in Nigeria.

Abstract

The study focused on the factors influencing the effectiveness of communication network among women farmers in Chanchaga LGA of Niger State. Random sampling technique was used to select 80 women farmers from four villages and data were collected by the use of structured questionnaire. The study data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Logit regression and Likert scale. The result of the study showed that 43.8% of the respondents were above 41 years, 41.3% had no education and 62.5% reported that extension agents visit them monthly. Group contact was also found to be the most effective means of communication among the women farmers. Farming experience and education had significant (p>0.05) and positive effect on communication network, while age was significant but negative. Constraints faced by the extension workers in reaching female farmers include high illiteracy level among women, cultural and religious challenges and non-inclusion of women in extension programmes. Based on the findings, it was concluded that group contact method of extension teaching was mostly used by the farmers and recommended that group contact should be given much priority in the study area and adult literacy class should be organized for the female farmers.