1.1 Introduction
Agriculture with its positive impact on the Nigerian populace is faced with myriad of problems among which is low utilization of technologies. The low utilization of technologies by the farmers may be ascribed to inadequacy of information. Information, in a broad context refers to organized data recorded in various forms (Yahaya, 2003). Information could also be messages that are perceivable and recognizable value to the receiver. Information is therefore a raw resource for knowledge. In the agricultural sector, arable farmers need information about their farming activities. Farmers’ information sources, their awareness and adoption of recommended sugarcane production technologies in the Central Punchab were identified and assessed by Abbas et al., (2003).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
In the past decades, Nigeria's agricultural sector has experienced steady decline in productivity. However, in recent time, indices has showed that the sector have started witnessing a gradual but slow growth (Oladipo, 2013). This growth was necessitated by population growth, changing climate and technology needs (Henri-Ukoha et al., 2012). These technologies are innovations such as ICT facilities, mechanized farming equipments, improved and high yielding varieties, and integrated pest management control, post harvest technologies, efficiency in land use, among others. Access to information technology is highly gotten by these and can only be made available to them through extension workers, state and local government, community libraries, Agricultural development program (ADP) etc (Telecommons Development Group, 2000).
Agriculture with its positive impact on the Nigerian populace is faced with myriad of problems among which is low utilization of technologies. The low utilization of technologies by the farmers may be ascribed to inadequacy of information. Information, in a broad context refers to organized data recorded in various forms (Yahaya, 2003). Information could also be messages that are perceivable and recognizable value to the receiver. Information is therefore a raw resource for knowledge. In the agricultural sector, arable farmers need information about their farming activities.
In agriculture, the role of information cannot be over emphasized in enhancing the agricultural development. Information is crucial for increasing agricultural production and improving marketing & distribution strategies (Oladele, 2006). Communication is critical to finding solution to problems of food production through facilitating research- farmer linkage using ICTs (Dauda et al., 2010). Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are foundation of the new global information based economy. They are increasingly becoming the key drivers for socio-economic growth. Notably the role of information in farming is significantly meant to reduce the influences of risk and uncertainty-related factors.
Bala and Sharma (2008) and Singh et al. (2011) argue that to compete the global market today, our farmers should have latest information regarding new techniques of farming, new methods of cultivation, new crops, seeds, pesticides, water management, marketing of the product, government policies regarding agriculture, export potential of their crops. Also, in situation whereby the farmers lack access to knowledge and information that would help to foster them in achieving maximum agricultural yield, they are not only grope in the dark but are driven to big cities in search of formal employment, as the only option for survival (Munyua, 2000).
Ayanyemi (2006) referred to information as an essential resource for individual growth and survival. An informed mind is an enriched mind and if one is not informed he will be deformed. Information is a common term. Uhegbu (2007) opined that hardly can one mention the word ‘information’ without referring to somebody; the educated understand information from their various backgrounds. Anything human beings interact with or observe can be a source of information (Bates 2012). The information source is a medium in which knowledge and/or information is stored. In other words, it is understood as something that contains and/or stores information (Bitso, 2012).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Assessment of Sources and Uses of Agricultural Information among Farmers.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that information is an indispensable factor in the development of any nation. Choo (2012) affirmed that people use information to create knowledge, but not just in the sense of data and facts but the form of representations that provide meaning and the context for purposive action.
Information service provision to farmers in the area under study has been ineffective for the production of varieties of food and, raw materials for sustenance of the people. Majority of our rural farmers depend on indigenous or local knowledge for improved farming systems. Such knowledge (indigenous or local knowledge) refers to skills and experiences gained through oral tradition and practice over many generations but the use of such primitive skills by our rural farmers, especially those in the area under study, has not substantially helped to improve yield.
Agricultural information is meant to get to rural farmers via extension workers, community libraries, radio, television, film shows, agricultural pamphlets, state government agricultural agencies. However, rural farmers in their efforts to access these agricultural knowledge and information from available sources for better farming system and improved agricultural yield are confronted with certain constraints.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Sources and Uses of Agricultural Information among Farmers. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To describe the socio-economic characteristics of agricultural crop farmers in the area under study;
- To identify information sources used by agricultural crop farmers in the area under study;
- To examine respondents' access, preference and frequency use of agricultural information sources;
- To identify motivational factors for the use of Agricultural information sources; and
- To ascertain the respondent awareness level, adoption status of technologies and competent in the use of technologies.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the socio-economic characteristics of agricultural crop farmers in the area under study?
- What are the information sources used by agricultural crop farmers in the area under study?
- What is the respondents' access, preference and frequency use of agricultural information sources?
- What are the motivational factors for the use of Agricultural information sources?
- What is the respondent awareness level, adoption status of technologies and competent in the use of technologies?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Motivational factors do not significantly affect respondents' preference and frequency of use of ICTs agricultural information sourcing.
- H1: Motivational factors significantly affect respondents' preference and frequency of use of ICTs agricultural information sourcing.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant relationship between respondent awareness level, adoption technology and constraints faced in arable crop farming.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between respondent awareness level, adoption technology and constraints faced in arable crop farming.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: There is no significant relationship between constraints faced in arable crop farming and the adoption of technology.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between constraints faced in arable crop farming and the adoption of technology.
Hypothesis Four
- H0: There is no significant relationship between socio-economic characteristics of respondent and the constraints faced in arable crop farming.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between socio-economic characteristics of respondent and the constraints faced in arable crop farming.
Hypothesis Five
- H0: There is no significant relationship between the respondents' socio-economic characteristics and constraints faced in the use of information sources.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between the respondents' socio-economic characteristics and constraints faced in the use of information sources.
1.7 Significance of Study
This study will be of immensely beneficial to interest to policy makers and agricultural decision makers for identifying the need of agricultural extension. The relevance of various sources of agricultural information available to farmers has been the focus of discourse over the years by communication scholars, in general, and agricultural communicators.
Developing technologies for arable farm operators to adopt is not enough, but effort should be geared towards making arable farm operators to understand the importance of utilization of improved technologies. To bring about agricultural development, the provision of agricultural information plays a decisive role.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Assessment of Sources and Uses of Agricultural Information among Farmers in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
