-
Utilization Of Information Among Arable Crop Farmers
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
Page 3 of 4
-
-
-
Dioscorea rotundata, the
‘white yam’ and Dioscorea cayenensis, the ‘yellow yam’ are native to
Africa and are preferred by Edo and Delta State Arable crop farmers.
Yams can be used for various purposes:-
Mainly for human consumption
as they provide a cheap source of carbohydrate. The most common forms of
yam consumption are as boiled yam, pounded yam, roasted yam, fried or
baked yam.
Wild species have been used as a source material for the manufacture of oral contraceptives (Remison, 2004).
1.2 Problem Statement
Over
the years, Arable crop farmers depend on indigenous or local knowledge
for improved farming system. Such knowledge (indigenous or local
knowledge) refers to skill and experience gained through oral tradition
and practice over many generations (Norem, et al., 1988). Acquisition of
such primitive skill by our rural farmers (e.g. rural farmers in Edo
and Delta State) has not helped to improve agricultural produce. All
that is witnessed in our rural agricultural system range from low farm
yield, crop failure due to diseases, resistant plant weeds and pests
that attack arable crops, old farm implements, poor quality fertilizers
etc. Agricultural information are always meant to get to rural farmers
through information sources like extension workers, community libraries,
radio, television, film shows, agricultural pamphlets, state and local
government agricultural agencies etc. Lack of useful information could
lead to poverty because farmers’ productivity will be affected (Ozowa,
2005). Low accessibility to agricultural information also leads to poor
communication linkage between extension farmers-research and
consultations between policy makers, policy analysts, and policy
beneficiaries on agricultural and rural development policy issues.
Rural
farmers in their effort to access these agricultural knowledge and
information from available sources, for better farming system and
improved agricultural yield, are confronted with certain constraints.
The present study was therefore designed to identify the constraints
which hinder arable crop farmers in Edo and Delta state from accessing
agricultural information for improved crop production.
The research questions now are:
What are the socio-economic characteristics of arable crop farmers in Edo and Delta State?
What are the respondent’s access, preference and frequency of use of agricultural information sources?
What are the respondent awareness level, adoption status of technologies and competent in the use of technology?
What are the motivation factors of the use of agricultural information sources?
What are the constraints the respondent’s face in arable crop farming and the use of agricultural information source?
1.3 Objectives of the study
The
broad objective of the study is to access utilization of information by
arable crop farmers in Edo and Delta State Nigeria. The specific
objectives are to:
describe the socio-economic characteristics of arable crop farmers in Edo and Delta States;
identify information sources used by arable crop farmers in Edo and Delta State;
ascertain the respondent awareness level, adoption status of technologies and competent in the use of technologies;
examine respondents’ access, preference and frequency use of agricultural information sources;
identify motivational factors for the use of Agricultural information sources; and
ascertain the constraints the respondents face in arable crop farming and the use of agricultural information sources.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
Page 3 of 4
-
