SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN LAVUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE.

Abstract

The .study examined the sources of informal ion for rice production technologies in lavun Government Area of Niger State using a sample size of 76 respondents. The data were collected using interview schedule tint/ documents obtained from Agricultural Development Project (ADP). The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, chi square test and likert scale. The results showed that all the respondents (100%) were aware of improved rice varieties, fertilizer and willing/processing technologies. Friends were the major sources of interpersonal information as indicated by 86.84 percent of the respondents. The main source of information through the mass media was Radio/television as was reported by 90. 79 percent respondents. On the group contact cooperative societies were the major sources of information among I he farmers as revealed by 36.84 percent of them. Overall, radio/television was the most popular source of information followed by friends, village heads and- cooperative societies, which ranked 2nd , 3rd and 4th respectively. Village extension workers ranks 5th. On the frequency of extension contact, the study' indicated that almost 65. 80 percent of the respondents did not receive extension agent at all. Further analysis showed that there is a highly significant relationship between the adopted technologies and information sources. Majority of the respondents have favourable altitude towards the existing technologies. It is recommended that extension personnel's with the appropriate training should he made to disseminate agricultural information.