Effects of Radio-Based Extension Services on farmers’ Adoption of Organo-Mineral Fertilizers, Biofertilizers, and Manure in Lesotho

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of radio-based extension services on farmers’ adoption of organo-mineral fertilizer, biofertilizer, and manure in Lesotho using a sample of 1659 farmers extracted from the 2019/2020 agricultural production survey database Bureau of Statistics (BOS). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 29 to analyze and compare the data collected. Descriptive statistics were computed to examine the proportion and disaggregation based on the use of radio as the main source of extension information through cross-tabulation and a Probit regression analysis. The results show information types covered include agronomy, pest/disease, credit, new practice, varieties, weather, land tenure, soil conservation, and crop protection, with majority indicating radio as the source; while technologies promoted by radio are soil conservation, terraces, cover cropping, crop rotation, organo-mineral fertilizer, organic fertilizer, biofertilizers, manure, and improved seeds. Radio continues to play a major role in the dissemination of agricultural information and influence adoption behavior despite the multimedia approach to agricultural communication.