ABSTRACT
This study was to ascertain the media used pattern among farmers in delta state Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was used to select fifty cells (50) from ten blocks (10) in Delta north and Delta central and 250 farmers were sampled using a well-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage, means and linear regression model. The study showed that there are more male (50.9%) with fish farming experience of less than five years (45.0%). Most of them were between ages of 21 – 30 years (34.1%) and are married (45.5%) and have tertiary education (56.8%). The most frequently media used by fish farmers are contact farmers (Mean= 8.47), family/friends (Mean=3.53) and extension agent (Mean=3.04). The major constraints considered limiting the respondent use of media are the inadequate extension agent services (Mean=3.95) and complexity of improved technology (Mean=3.82). There is a significant relationship between farmers’ preference and their use of media of information and also a significant relationship between socio-economic variables and fish farmers’ decision to use various media of information. It is therefore recommended that easier technology should be developed so that fish farmers can utilize them. Also provision of adequate social amenities should be made available to the fish farmers like electricity to power media information like radio and television etc. Extension agent should visit farmers more often to be able to disseminate new information about a new technology to the fish farmers. |
KEYWORDS: |
Information, media, usage pattern, fish farmers, agricultural information access. |
