Access to agricultural information and millennium development goals

Abstract

PurposeThe millennium development goals (MDGs) emerged from the Millennium Declaration adopted by all Member States of the United Nations. The MDGs are international objectives on poverty reduction adopted by the world community in 2000. This paper examines provision of agricultural information to rural dwellers/farmers in meeting the MDG 1: eradicating poverty and hunger in the world.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is drawn from the authors' interaction /interviews with a group of farmers in Abeokuta, Ogun State.FindingsMethods of disseminating information to farmers identified include the use of electronic and print media, village square meetings, church and mosques as well as market places.Practical implicationsStudy recommends the support of pro‐poor policies by the developed countries as this will allow people living in the developing world to break out of the poverty, hunger and malnutrition trap in which they find themselves.Originality/valueAgricultural information required by farmers, among others, includes pest and disease control and management, services available from government/private organizations and information on high yielding varieties of crops and animals.