Abstract
This study was carried out to access information needs of pig farmers in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. Pig farmers formed the population of the study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 82 respondents from 5 council wards from the study area. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire, and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings revealed that majority (52.44 %) of the respondents were married. Most (47.56 %) of the respondents were aged between 21-30 years, had formal education (95.12%) and a family size 5-9 persons (56.10 %). The result of the research also revealed that most of the respondents have been farming for 1-4 years (54.88 %), earn income of below N250, 000 (71.95 %) and had a flock size below 20 pigs (60.98 %). The major area of information need is in the control of pests and diseases (x = 2.04), feed (x = 1.98) and marketing (x = 1.84). The socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents that significantly affected their access to information need were education (W= 3.25) and farming experience (W= 4.26). Based on the finding of the research, it was recommended that information on disease and pest control be conveyed to the pig farmers by extension agents, and more extension agents employed to provide information to the farmers.
Highlights
Information is a very important resource for profitable production [1]
Production can be enhanced in the farmers have access to agricultural information, and if the information is delivered in line with their information needs
Describe the socio-economic characteristic of pig farmers in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State; Identify the information needs of Pig farmers in the study area; and Determine the challenges faced by the pig farmers in meeting their information needs
Summary
Information is a very important resource for profitable production [1]. Information opens the door to better opportunities with respect to production and marketing of agricultural produce. For information to be effective, it should get to the users of the information in good time, and should meet the information needs of the receiver [2]. A good number of people in Makurdi local government area of Benue State are involved in the production of pigs. It becomes necessary to determine the information needs of the pig farmers in Makurdi local government area of Benue State, Nigeria, as this will facilitate information dissemination and use among the farmers. Specific objectives of the study were to: Describe the socio-economic characteristic of pig farmers in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State; Identify the information needs of Pig farmers in the study area; and Determine the challenges faced by the pig farmers in meeting their information needs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
