Agricultural Information Dissemination to Soybean Farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Blessing Chika Funom,Opeyemi Soyemi

doi:10.4314/iijikm.v10i2.4

Abstract

This study investigated agricultural information dissemination to soybean farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: identify the types and the extent to which agricultural information is disseminated to soybean farmers in Niger state. It also aims to establish the relationship between dissemination of agricultural information and quality of life of farmers. Descriptive survey and multistage sampling technique was used for the study. In the first stage, purposive sampling technique was used to select three Local Government Areas under the Niger State Agricultural and Mechanization Development Authority (NAMDA). In the second stage, stratification of the three Local Government Areas into four extension blocks was carried out. In the third stage, a random selection of respondents from the four blocks in proportionate to size was done. Questionnaire was the instrument used for the collection of data. The data collected were tabulated and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that some types of agricultural information were sufficiently disseminated while others need improvement in dissemination efforts. The study also showed that farmers commonly received information from interpersonal sources. Moreover, agricultural information dissemination was found to bear direct relationship with quality of life of soybean farmers (β=.660, R2 =.740, p<.05). The study therefore recommended that agricultural information disseminators (particularly state agencies), should disseminate more information on post-harvest activities as this may translate into high income generation and consequently, improve the quality of life of soybean farmers.Keywords:, Agricultural Information, Agricultural Information dissemination, Quality of life, Soybean Farmers.

Highlights

In Africa, agriculture has remained the life (QoL)
Ho1: there is no significant relationship between agricultural information dissemination and the quality of life of soybean farmers in Niger State, Nigeria
Agricultural information disseminated to soybean farmers in Niger State was carried out to a great extent; 3 Non-governmental organization (NGO), banks and schools are the major sources of agricultural information from the institutional or organized bodies

Summary

Introduction

In Africa, agriculture has remained the life (QoL). Quality of life is a subjective concept which varies according to one’s largest employer of labour and a key cultural perspective and values: age, gender, contributor to wealth creation and poverty socio-economic status, education, health, alleviation. Several indicators for assessing from a clear understanding of what farmers quality of life includes: education, information needs are; their socio-cultural employment, mental and physical health, background, the communication channels shelter and safety, crime rate, recreation and and their general attitude towards new social inclusion. In farmers want to enjoy good financial and agriculture, information is needed to bring social status, enjoy rich cultural experiences change in the way people do farming as well and raise a healthy family These as in other dimensions of agricultural aspirations have continued to elude soybean production. This study examined the relationship between agricultural information dissemination and the quality of life farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Objective of the Study

Methodology

Findings

Conclusion