Sources Of Agricultural Information Research Articles

A Comparative Study of the Relative Importance of Agricultural Information Sources for Date Palm Farmers in Some Desert Areas

This research aimed to compare the relative importance of agricultural information sources for palm farmers in some desert regions through achieving the following sub-goals: 1) Determine the sources of agricultural information from which the researchers obtain their information on date palm, and compare the relative importance of these sources from their perception. 2) Determine the type of the existing relationship between the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and their exposure level to agricultural information sources. 3) Determine the degree of contribution of the relevant independent variables to the explanatory overall variation to the degree of respondents' exposure to agricultural information sources in the studied desert areas. 4) Extract the research contents and using them as a basis for setting the pillars to raise the efficiency of agricultural information sources in palm cultivation aiming to develop a future extension and information services. The research was carried out in three desert regions by selecting a simple random sample of 411 respondents, representing (10.0%) of the farmers, according to the statistics lists of the farmers who own palm trees. These lists are from the Statistics Department in the agricultural branches in the different regions. The first region is Kharga Center in the New Valley Governorate. The sample is 156 respondents from the farmers of El-Munirah village, and El-Sherka village; 71 and 84 respondents respectively. The second region is Bahariya Oasis in Giza Governorate; the research was conducted on a sample of 140 farmers from two villages Al-Bweiti and Al-Hayz; the sample was 45 and 95 respondents respectively. The third is Siwa Center in Matrouh Governorate; the research was conducted on 115 farmer respondents in two villages Al-Maraki and Agromi; the sample was 50 and 65 respondents respectively. The final data was collected through personal interview with the respondents using a questionnaire, from July 2018 to October 2019, and then it was uploaded and scheduled on SPSS program.The Pearson correlation coefficient was used in analysing the data, to test the relationship between the degree of farmers’ exposure to the sources of agricultural information in the research areas (as a dependent variable) and the studied independent variables. Step-wise model was used to determine the contribution ratios of each significant, independent correlation variable in clarifying the total difference of change regarding the exposure degree to the agricultural information sources in the research areas. In addition to numerical count, frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, and weighted average mean are used to display some of the achieved results, using SPSS program.

An Assessment of the Use of mobile phones as sources of Agricultural information by tobacco Smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

The purpose of this research was to assess the use of mobile phones as sources of agricultural information by smallholder tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe. The study’s findings inform the policy makers by providing deeper insights which may be useful to both national and international initiatives aimed at mobile phones for development (M4D). The study provides greater nuances to the people into the understanding of the implications of mobile communication technologies to assist in the achievement of development initiatives. A survey approach was used in conducting this research, in which questionnaires, interviews and focus groups were the data collection tools. A sample of 175 smallholder tobacco farmers from Hurungwe District in Mashonaland West province (Zimbabwe) was selected for data collection, along with 4 agricultural experts for conducting focus group discussions. The research bases on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model; consequently, a positivist research philosophy was adopted for this research. A mixed method (triangulation) was used. The results show that 85.51 % of smallholder tobacco farmers use their mobile phones to access agricultural information. Some of the major highlights are that there is no relationship between farmers’ use of mobile phones in agriculture and their socio-economic characteristics. The findings also confirm that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions have positive influences on the Behavioural Intention (BI) of Zimbabwean farmers to use mobile phones as sources of agricultural information.

SELF ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE NEEDS FOR FARMERS IN TALKAIF DISTRICT / NINEVAH GOVERNORATE OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

This study aimed at assessing knowledge needs in sustainable agriculture for farmers in Telkaif District/ Nineveh Governorate, and determining the correlation between these needs and some independent variables. Research population included all farmers of Tellkaif which are 3568 farmers. A random multi stages sample was chosen consists of 106 respondents. Data were collected through a questionnaire after testing its face validity, and alpha- cronbach was used to test the reliability which was 0.95. To analyze the data, the following statistical methods were used: arithmetic mean, spearman's rank correlation, person's correlation and multiple step – wise regression analyses. Results showed that the farmers have a great need of knowledge in sustainable agriculture, and that there were significant correlation between knowledge needs and the following variables: size of cultivated land, type of tenure, years of agricultural work,desire of newness, sources of agricultural information, while there was no significant correlation with level of education. Results also showed there are three variables contributed in interpreting 27,22% of the variation in knowledge needs, namely are: desire for newness, size of cultivated land, and sources of agricultural information.

The Reluctant Farmer: The Role of Multimedia in America’s 20th-Century Agricultural Transformation

Ethnographic and ethnohistorical research with farm families in the Ozarks region of Missouri and Arkansas, USA, from 2002 to 2014, informs and inspires this study of the role of multimedia in the process of technocratic rationalization of farming in the United States throughout the 20th century. While interviewing farmers, I explored the agricultural media they consumed, ranging from farmer-organization literature to farm magazines and sales pamphlets. I documented and collected the primary sources of agricultural information and then systematically coded and noted patterns in the advertisement and article content. This paper presents the findings of that visual content analysis of farm media and the subsequent exploration of applied social science research that documented strategies for the diffusion of agricultural technology. I document and analyze the correlations between agricultural media content, applied research recommendations for industry, and changes on farms in the USA.

Urban Agriculture among Households of Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria: Key Challenges

The survey was conducted to identify key challenges encountered by households in Makurdi metropolis of Benue state, Nigeria who are engaged in urban agriculture. A well structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 100 respondents used for the study. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and mean score. Results show that a greater percentage (46.0%) of the respondents engaged in cultivation of leafy vegetable, 22.0% cultivated cassava, 21.0% planted sweet potato, 18.0% cultivated tomato while 56.0% reared poultry, 23.0% kept goat, among others. Sources of agricultural information indicated by the respondents were family members/relations (85.0%), friends/neighbors (73.0%), radio (68.0%), extension agents (57.0%), etc. Major challenges encountered by the respondents in urban agriculture include inadequate size of farm land (M= 2.72), lack of access to credit facilities (M= 2.63), lack of funds (M= 2.50), high cost of labor (M= 2.49), insecurity of lands (M= 2.46), theft of crops at maturity (M= 2.38), lack of farm inputs such as improved varieties of seeds, fertilizer (M= 2.23), destruction of crops by stray farm animals (M= 1.96), among others. The study recommends that there is need for adequate provision of farm inputs by government at all levels at subsidized rate in order to reduce the cost of production and enhance optimum productivity.

Livelihood strategies and their determinants among smallholder farming households in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

ABSTRACTRural people seek diverse opportunities to increase and stabilise their welfare. An understanding of factors that influence livelihood strategies adopted across rural households can further improve policy-making. This study identifies livelihood strategies adopted by smallholder farmers and the factors influencing the choice of their strategy. A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 randomly selected rural households from the Umzimkhulu and Ndwedwe local municipalities in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Principal component analysis (PCA) and K-means cluster analysis were used to analyse the outcomes. The application of PCA on dummy variables depicting participation in livelihood activities reduced the number of dimensions. Next, PCA factor loadings served as input into K-means cluster analysis; K-means clusters represented household livelihood strategies. Multinomial logistic regression applied to the K-means clusters determined factors influencing the choice of livelihood strategies at the household level. The results indicate that years of formal education, household size, dependency ratio, arable dryland area accessed by the household, and savings of household heads, the location of the household and source of agricultural information were the main determinants of livelihood choice. These findings suggest that policymakers should design policies that are sensitive to household-level characteristics in promoting livelihood strategies.

Effects of Farmers’ Socioeconomic Characteristics on Access to Agricultural Information in Ngaka Modiri Molema District of the North West Province

Information plays an important role in enhancing agricultural development. Agricultural extension exchange information with farmers to improve their production, however, farmers use other sources to access the information they need to improve their production. However, their access to agricultural information may be hindered by some socio-economic characteristics. Therefore, the current study identified the effects of farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, their sources of agricultural information and the constraints they face in accessing agricultural information. A proportionate sample of 120 respondents was selected randomly from the participants. The data was collected through a pre-tested questionnaire and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to perform statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages were used. On the basis of to what extend different information sources were used by farmers the rank order was used. Further, bivariate analysis was used to test the level of association among selected variables. The results show that the majority of the respondents were over the age of fifty and were males. Most of the respondents went up to high school level of education. More respondents had a land size of up to five hectares. Further, the results showed that there existed a significant relationship between respondents’ age, education and their sources of information. The results further revealed that fellow farmers and extension staff were the major sources of information. However, distance from the extension staff and lack of awareness of new technology were identified as the constraints that the respondents face in accessing agricultural information. The results of the study therefore reveal that there is a need for farmers to access relevant and timeous agricultural information to improve their production.

Effectiveness of mobile agri-advisory service extension model: Evidence from Direct2Farm program in India

This study examines the effectiveness of mobile as a novel approach for providing targeted and equitable agri-advisory services to farmers at scale. A cross-sectional survey of farmers registered on CABI's Direct2Farm (D2F) user database was undertaken using a combination of telephone interviews, household survey and focus group discussions covering six states in India. Results indicate that majority of farmers receive information from various sources, notably fellow farmers (73%) and government extension (58%). Mobile service was ranked 5th as a source of information out of seven identified. Nonetheless, there was evidence that CABI-D2F mobile services reached a large number of farmers in a short time compared to what could be achieved by traditional extension approaches, and the services significantly influenced farmers to take up new agricultural practices (p < 0.01). At least 40% of the initial 400,000 registered farmers became active users of the service, regarding it as a valuable and credible source of agricultural information. Small-scale farmers, women, and elderly people were less likely to use mobile service with preference for traditional extension approaches. This digital divide may be attributed to low literacy levels, and/or ownership or control of mobile phones. Results raise two issues; firstly how mobile services can be designed to best fit differences in gender and social realities; and secondly, how mobile services can be effectively monitored to ensure messages are being received by targeted users.

Perceived Benefits of Adoption of Improved Rice Production Technologies Among Small–Scale Farmers in Kogi state, Nigeria.

The study examined the benefits of adoption of improved rice technologies among small – scale rice farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio – economic characteristics of the rice farmers, assessed farmers' level of adoption of improved rice technologies, identify the rice farmers’ sources of agricultural information and source of information preferred, identify the benefits derived from adoption and identify the constraints to rice production in the area. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire from 212 rice farmers. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results show that 59.9% of the respondents were male, and within the ages of 40 – 49 years. The majority (58.0%) of the respondents were married and 60.8% of the farmers depend on extension agents for agricultural information. The improved technologies disseminated; rice production facilities, rice farming inputs, field preparation were adopted with adoption index of 0.70, 0.71 and 0.77 respectively indicating high adoption level, while processing technologies had low adoption level with adoption index of 0.37. Increased output (98.6%), acquisition of skills (91.5%), increase in income (85.5%) and expansion of farm land (72.2%) were the major benefits derived by the farmers from adoption of the technologies. The study concluded that the major benefits derived from adoption of the technologies were increased farm size, increased output andincome, and the major constraints to rice production were inadequate finance and credit facilities and poor soil fertility. Extension agents should encourage the farmers to re-invest their income for more output and income. Government and financial institutions should also provide the farmers with production credit in form of loan at low interest rate, so that they can afford some of the technologies Keywords : Adoption, benefit derived, improved rice technologies

The perceived role of innovation platforms in addressing the agricultural value chain collective problems: an empirical application of transaction cost theory

Agricultural innovation platforms are increasingly seen as a panacea for mitigating the agricultural value chain challenges through enabling the co-evolution of different elements in the innovation process. A number of previous studies on IPs show processes for their formation and contribution to innovations. Very few studies have attempted to investigate the perceived benefits from platforms as important determinants for actor participation. Using a sample of 319 randomly selected farmers from one innovation platform in Uganda, it was established that the uncertain markets for the agricultural output, sources of inputs and agricultural information were perceived to be the key motivators for the formation of the platform. The study found a positive significant relationship between transaction cost challenges of environmental uncertainty and structural embeddedness (p&lt;0.01) and frequency of interaction and structural embeddedness (p&lt;0.05). On the other hand, environmental uncertainty, asset specificity and frequency of interactions were significantly correlated with relational embeddedness (p&lt;0.05). However, the complexity of tasks in the value chain was not significantly correlated with structural and relational embeddedness (p≥0.05). It therefore means that to ensure effective participation and implementation of platform activities, efforts ought to be placed on fulfilling the platform’s promise as a forum for mitigation of transaction cost challenges such as inadequate markets for both output and inputs, customized products and inputs and lack of valuable agricultural information.&#x0D; Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. &amp; Tech. 8 (2): 1-12, December, 2018

Effect of climate change in paddy production and adaptation strategies in Tharu communities of Dang district, Nepal

A study on effects of climate change on rice (Oryza sativa) production in Tharu communities of Dang district of Nepal was conducted in 2018A.D to investigate the perception and major adaptation strategies followed by Tharu farmers. The study areas were selected purposively. Cross-sectional data was collected using a household survey of 120 households by applying simple random sampling technique with lottery method for sample selection. Primary data were collected using semi-structured and pretested interview schedule, focus group discussion and key informants interview whereas monthly and annual time series data on temperature and precipitation over 21years (1996-2016) were collected from Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Kathmandu as secondary data. Descriptive statistics and trend analysis were used to analyze the data. The ratio of male and female was found to be equal with higher literacy rate at study area than district. Most of the farmers depended on agriculture only for their livelihood where there was large variation in land distribution. Farmers had better access to FM/radio for agricultural extension information sources. The study resulted that Tharu farmers of Dang perceived all parameters of climate. Temperature and rainfall were the most changing component of climate perceived by farmers. The trend analysis of temperature data of Dang over 21 years showed that maximum, minimum and average temperature were increasing at the rate of 0.031°C, 0.021°C and 0.072°C per year respectively which supports the farmers perception whereas trend of rainfall was decreased with 7.56mm per year. The yearly maximum rainfall amount was increased by 1.15mm. The production of local indigenous rice varieties were decreasing while hybrid and improved rice varieties were increasing. The district rice production trend was increasing which support the farmer’s perception. The study revealed that there were climate change effects on paddy production and using various adaptation strategies to cope in Dang district.

Farmers’ proclivity to use soap opera for sourcing agricultural information in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract Given the soap opera’s potential to engender behaviour learning and meet the information needs of farmers, this paper sought to establish farmers’ propensity to use soap opera for sourcing agricultural information in Southwest Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to draw representative samples (150 farmers) in this study. Using interview schedule, data were elicited on farmers’ personal characteristics, awareness about the use of soap opera, perceived benefits of soap opera and proclivity to use it for sourcing agricultural information. Data were analysed using descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means) and inferential (Chi-square and PPMC) statistics at P = 0.05. Farmers’ age, years of schooling and household size were 52.1 ± 11.4 years, 10.5 ± 4.6 years and 5.9 ± 2.4 persons, respectively. Majority of the farmers (86.0%) had heard about soap opera and 76.0% heard of different soaps in the last couple of years and more than half (53.3%) had heard of different soaps from both radio and television. However, 90.7% did not know any kind of soap opera that was used to promote agriculture. More than half of the farmers (56.7%) had high inclination for sourcing agricultural information using soap opera. There was a significant correlation between farmers’ perceived benefits (r = 0.36; P = 0.00) and proclivity to use soap opera for sourcing agricultural information. Farmers’ positive proclivity to use soap implies that soap opera strategy has potentials to benefit farmers as a source of agricultural information; therefore, soap opera should be considered as veritable avenue for agricultural information dissemination in Southwest Nigeria.

VARIANCE IN PARTICIPATION OF RURAL LEADERS IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES IN ERBIL PLAIN DISTRICT

The Objective of the study was to determine the level of participation of rural leaders in agricultural extension activities in the Erbil plain district/Erbil governorate and to determine variance in this participation according to a number of variables. The sample consisted of 41 villages. The final number of local rural leaders surveyed was 102 rural leaders. The results showed that 65% of the respondents were involved in the activities of the agricultural extension medium and strong. In addition, there was a difference in the participation of rural leaders in these activities according to the following variables: (exposure to sources of agricultural information, satisfaction with agricultural extension work, and the motives of participation in agricultural extension activities). While there was no variation in the participation of respondents according to the variables of age, educational level, number of years of work in agriculture, social status, and openness to the outside world.

Agricultural and nutritional information needs of arable crop farmers in Ondo State Nigeria

The study assessed arable crop farmers’ agricultural and nutritional information needs in Ondo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting a total sample of 212 farmers for the study. Data were collected through the use of interview schedule. Frequency counts, percentages, mean and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze data. Findings showed that the mean age of the farmers was 52.2 years. The majority (84.0%) of the respondents were male, married with low level of education and farm size. The mean household size was 6 members. The sources of agricultural and nutritional information explored by the respondents are: extension agents, mobile phone, friends and neighbors as well as radio. The respondents indicated their agricultural and nutritional information needs as to include climate and weather forecast ( X = 1.88), location and availability of inputs ( X = 1.63), information on food safety and hygiene ( X = 1.61), information on markets where farm produce are exchanged for other farm produce ( X = 1.55) and disease control ( X = 1.50). The result of ANOVA revealed that there exists significant difference in agricultural and nutritional information needs of the respondents across the selected agricultural zones (F= 5.137, P≤ 0.05). Information dissemination and delivery to farmers should be targeted toward the identified information needs in order to enhance their capabilities for optimum agricultural production. Keywords: Information needs, agricultural and nutritional information, crop farmers, Nigeria

Study Agricultural Information Sources for Extension Agents in Plant Production Field at El-Behira Governorate

The objective of this research is to identify the agricultural information resources to extension agents in plant production field at Beheira governorate. This is done by: (a) To determine the degree of exposure of the respondents to the information sources conveying agricultural knowledge in the field of plant production. (B) The degree to which the subjects deal, appropriateness and credibility with the sources of knowledge of agricultural knowledge in the field of plant production. Four distrects were chosen randomly: Damanhour, Abu Homs, Mahmudiya and Shubra Khit. All the agricultural extension workers were surveyed in these four administrative centers. And then a sample of 20% of the total was taken, reaching 50. The percentage of each of the four centers in that sample was determined and a random random sample was drawn from the fact that the agricultural extension lists were in these centers. The main findings were as follows:The majority of the respondents (82%) were the middle and high exposure categories. More than three quarters of the respondents (78%) were of the middle and high categories, the majority of respondents (82%) agree with the appropriate sources of knowledge to them at a medium and high level, and the majority of respondents (82%) recognize the credibility of the sources of agricultural knowledge

Analysis of maize farmers' access to agricultural information in Aiyedire local government area, Osun State, Nigeria

This study analyses maize farmers’ access to agricultural information in Aiyedire Local Government Area of Osun state, Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the maize farmers, identify access of maize farmers to agricultural information, determine the level of access to agricultural information and identify the sources of agricultural information to the maize farmers. A structured questionnaire was used to randomly sample 105 respondents used for this study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentage was used to analyse the socio-economic characteristics, sources of information and access to agricultural information while a three-point Likert-type scale was used to analyse the level of access of the maize farmers to agricultural information The result showed that the majority (87.6%) of the farmers were male, married (84.4%) and 42.9% of them had secondary education. The majority of the farmers (89.5%) had farm size of about five hectares while those with farming experience less than 10 years was 39%. Fifty-eight percent of the farmers had household size of 4-6 persors and 69.5% of them had contacts with extension agents while 49.5% of the farmers were members of agricultural organizations. The results further showed that the farmers had access to information on improved maize varieties, with a mean score of 2.90 while they had limited access to information on mechanized method of harvesting maize, with mean score of 1.07. Therefore, the study recommends that extension agencies should provide up-to-date information on new and improved technological implement like sheller, tractors, among others, for maize farmers. Keywords : Agricultural Information, Access, Maize Farmers, Nigeria

Gender differences in use and preferences of agricultural information sources in Pakistan

ABSTRACTPurpose: Rural advisory services ensure agricultural information is disseminated to rural populations, yet they are less accessible to women. This research provides insight on gender differences in information access by investigating frequency of use and preference of agricultural information sources by gender in a rural setting, differentiated according to literacy and age. Design/Methodology/approach: This study interviewed 401 male/female individuals in farm households in Jhang and Bahawalpur district of Punjab, Pakistan in 2016. Findings: Men and women farmers’ use and preferences in accessing information sources are extremely different. Women hardly use sources for agricultural information, and value interpersonal communication from informal sources. In contrast, men use and value official agencies more. Radio, surprisingly, was very rarely used, contradicting previous findings of research elsewhere. Age and literacy affect differences between women more than it does between men, particularly for convenient locations to access information. Practical implications The study identified and refined major gender differences regarding use and preference for agricultural information in relation to age and literacy, and helps to articulate options to improve gender equality of access to agricultural information in Pakistan. Theoretical implications: The focus and outcomes regarding gender intersecting with age and literacy in agricultural information access imply the need for more refined socio-economic models, discerning and interrelating gender and other social dimensions beyond the standard of male-headed households. Originality/value: This paper adds to the growing body of evidence on information access according to gender, highlighting the need to investigate deeper socio-cultural issues around age and literacy.

PERANAN INFORMASI PERTANIAN PADA PETANI KELAPA DI KELURAHAN PANDU KECAMATAN BUNAKEN KOTA MANADO

This study aims 1. Know the role of agricultural information in increasing the production and income of coconut farmers. 2. Identify sources of information from which coconut farmers obtain agricultural information. Place of study is Pandu Village Bunaken Sub-District Manado City. This research was conducted for three months, ie from August to October 2017. This study uses primary data and secondary data. Primary data were obtained from 10 coconut farmers using questionnaires. While the secondary data obtained from the Office of Village Pandu Bunaken Manado City. Sampling method in this research using purposive sampling method that is those who belong to upper layer farmers. The results showed 1. The role of agricultural information obtained by coconut farmers that to obtain good production and income is by the processing of land, pest plants, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, production and processing and transport of copra. 2. Sources of agricultural information obtained by coconut farmers is information from fellow farmers and agricultural extension workers.

Evaluation of the Radio as an Agricultural Information Source in Rural Areas

ABSTRACTThe goal of this study was to evaluate a radio program as a source of agricultural information and examine the relationship between specific socioeconomic characteristics and listenership. The findings revealed that half of the farmers listen to the radio program, while older farmers are more likely to be listeners. Moreover, there are no significant differences between listeners and nonlisteners with respect to education level. More focus should be given to mountainous and less favored areas where more traditional information sources prevail. It is strongly recommended that the broadcast be sustained and improved based on farmers' suggestions and be regularly assessed.

Utilization of agricultural information sources and adoption of animal and crop technologies among farming households in Imo State, Nigeria

The study ascertained effect of utilization of agricultural information sources on adoption of animal and crop technologies among farming households in Imo State, Nigeria. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data from one hundred and fifty respondents using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics: PPMC and t test. Respondent’s mean age was 48 years; 99.1% had contact with extension agents; 88.4% had access to between 1 and 5 hectares of land; 33.6% practiced crop science; 29.9% practiced animal science. Recommended crop spacing was adopted by 36.6% of the respondents; while 29.9% adopted improved breeds of livestock. Agricultural Development Project (ADP) was the most accessed (x̅ = 2.97) information source. There was a significant relationship between use of agricultural information sources and adoption of crop technologies (r=0.262; p &lt; 0.000), while significant difference (t=3.068; p &lt; 0.05) existed in the adoption of crop technologies between respondents with low and high access to agricultural information. Efforts by relevant agencies to improve frequency of use of information sources relating to appropriate crop and animal technologies will ultimately increase their adoption of these technologies.Keywords: Farming household, Information sources, Technologies and Imo state