Access and utilization of agricultural information by arable crop farmers in UYO agricultural zone, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined information access and utilization by arable crop farmers in Uyo Agricultural Zone, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Primary data were sourced from 120 farmers using questionnaire and analyzed using simple percentages, mean, Likert Scale rating technique and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed a mean household size, farming experience, education, farm size and age of 5 persons, 11 years, 9 years, 0.65 hectares and 40 years, respectively. Findings further showed that the most highly need information were on sources of credit/ funding of agricultural activities (X= 3.67), production inputs (X = 3.43), processing/ value addition, (X = 3.12), pest and diseases control, (X = 3.10), product marketing and pricing, (X = 2.96), and modern method of product storage and preservation (X = 2.62). Also, the information sources that were available and patronized by farmers in order of priority were family and friends (91.7%), fellow farmers (83.3%), cooperative and other social organization (73.3%), mobile phone (75%), radio and television (53.3%),agricultural extension agent (45.8%), newspaper and magazines (42.5%), government Agencies and Parastatals (38.3%), Non- governmental Organizations (NGOs), (34.2%), posters and bulletins (25%) newsletters, extension bulletins and leaflets (24.2%), research institutions and universities, (20.8%) and exhibitions (0.07%). However, the most frequently used in formation source were friends and relative (X= 3.92), fellow farmers (X= 3.64), mobile phone (X= 3.28), radio and television (X= 3.11), newspaper (X= 3.01), agricultural extension agents (X= 2.73), and cooperative and other social organization (X= 2.52). Among the serious constraints to agricultural information access were: low extension to farmers ratio (X= 3.42), lack of finance to buy TV, radio newsletters etc (X= 3.25), irregular power supply (X= 3.08), odd hours airing of agricultural information on radio and television(X= 3.03),, non- existence of community library (X= 2.97), poor radio and television signal (X=2.96), inadequate infrastructure like access road for easy access by extension and other agricultural information sources agents (X= 2.93). the study recommended the promotion of farmers awareness, deployment of more extension agents to rural communities, promoting education and encouraging the formation of farmer groups as a way out.