RICE FARMERS’ UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION IN MOKWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

he study assessed Rice farmers’ utilization of agricultural information in Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. Five wards were purposively selected using multistage sampling procedure. Eighty respondents were selected for the study. Data were obtained using questionnaire and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the respondents in the study area were between the age range of 36-40 years old with mean age of 37 years, showing that they were active, energetic, and can withstand the farm operations. 78.80% of the respondents are male and 21.30% are female. Also, 78.80% of the respondents were having formal education ranging from primary, secondary and tertiary education. The mean household size was 7 persons and mean income was ₦38,250:00K in the study area. The study revealed further that the 78.75% of the respondents were aware of agricultural information. The agricultural information need includes: pest, weed and disease management 45.00%, marketing 28.75%, access to farm machinery 26.25%, extension service 28.75%, source of credit 5.00% and post harvest management. The sources of information include: formal and informal. Using radio, television,  friends and village heads. The constraints to use of agricultural information include: lack of trust on reliable information 5.00%, complexity of information 2.50%, limited access to information 5.00%, poor presentation of information 17.00%, out-dated information 6.00%, language barrier 11.00% and lack of awareness on available agricultural information 2.50%. Organizing workshops and training on awareness on the available agricultural information, provision of extension stations, and establishment of information centers in rural communities were offered as recommendations.