Assessment of Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Information on Selected Food Crops in Iddo District of Oyo State,Nigeria

This study focused on the use of combined media to minimize the time lag for both awareness and adoption of best practices for food crop production in Oyo State, Nigeria. One hundred and eighteen registered farmers in the Iddo District were sampled and interviewed. Results showed that the majority of the farmers were male (83.9%) and married (67.8%), and about one third (27.1%) completed elementary education. Fellow farmers (76.3%), extension agents (63.3%), friends (49.2%), and radio (48.3%) readily served as information sources for farmers. The quantum of agricultural information to which farmers had access was significantly related to varieties of information sources (r = .26, p = .05) used by farmers. The empowerment of elite farmers and capacity strengthening for extension agents are advocated for improved agricultural information dissemination.     

Analysis of Market Information Sources for Agricultural Transformation Among Cassava Farmers in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State,Nigeria

This study investigated sources of market information among cassava farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was employed; data were collected through an interview schedule and described and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and chi-square. Results showed that the majority of the cassava farmers were male and married, had no formal education, and sourced market information from middlemen. There was a significant relationship between respondents’ personal characteristics, such as tribe and primary occupation (χ² = 34.360, χ² = 43.203), and market information sources. Market information should be disseminated using local languages preferred by cassava farmers and be reliable, timely, and relevant.     

Factors Influencing Use of Traditional Communication Methods in Information Dissemination Among Farmers in Osun State,Nigeria

Critical factors influencing farmers’ use of traditional communication methods (TCMs) in information dissemination were isolated with a factor analytical technique. The results show that most of the farmers were between 31 and 60 years and the majority (63%) employ use of TCMs such as proverbs, hooting, putting leaves on path, and use of palm fronds to deliver information at a moderate level. The features of TCMs, farmers’ personal characteristics, economic proficiency, and influence of social contact were factors influencing use of TCMs. It was concluded that use of TCMs is influenced by their peculiarities in discerning information and the user's personal and socioeconomic characteristics.     

Use and Contribution of Information Sources in Buying Process of Agri-inputs by Farmers in India

The present study was undertaken with the objective of studying use and contribution of information sources in the purchase of agri-inputs by Indian farmers. The importance of an information source was measured in terms of its relevance as perceived by the farmers during the buying process. The study revealed that farmers preferred noncommercial, personal sources of information and the number of information sources used by them depended on the perceived importance of the product, the various options (brands) available to them, and credibility of the information sources. The personal characteristics of farmers did not have a significant influence on the number of information sources used by the farmers.     

Information Delivery and its Effect on Production of Cashews in Oyo State,Nigeria

This study assessed information delivery and effect on the productive capacity of contact and non-contact cashew farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. The results showed that the output of contact farmers was significantly different from that of non-contact farmers (p = .006), despite significant differences in farm size (p < .05). Interpersonal contacts through extension agents and friends were the most frequently used sources of information. In addition, information on cashew production and marketing was the most important to farmers. The study shows that farmer's productivity is enhanced through interaction with extension agents.     

Agricultural Information Needs of Root and Tuber Farmers in the Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State,Nigeria

This study assessed the agricultural information needs of root- and tuber-crop farmers in the Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data were presented using percentages and rankings. The most utilized sources of information on agricultural practices were associations (75.8%), other farmers (70.8%), and extension agents (60.8%). Agricultural information reported as “highly needed” by respondents included marketing procedures, processing and improved planting techniques, and soil management methods. Chi-square test results showed a significant relationship between selected personal characteristics of respondents (gender χ² = 24.9, p < .05; educational status χ² = 10.8, p < .05; marital status χ² = 181.1, p < .05 and household size χ² = 48.6; p < .05) and information needs.     

Intercropping Combination and Information Sources Among Kola Farmers in Osun State,Nigeria

Appropriate planting patterns ensure sustained soil fertility and higher productivity for farmers. This study assessed the intercropping crop combinations and information sources of kola farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Sixty respondents were selected using multistage and purposive random sampling techniques. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire. The arable crops commonly intercropped with kola were plantain/banana, yam, cassava, and maize. Tree crops combined with kola included cocoa, citrus, and oil palm. Co-farmers/friends and radio served as popular sources of information for farmers. Farm size was significantly related to respondents’ information sources on kola intercropping. The authors recommend that the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria's extension personnel make greater use of information sources most frequently used by respondents in order to ensure adequate cropping systems.     

Access to Information for Farm-Level Decision-Making

Radio is an important medium for conveying agricultural information among farmers in remote areas. This study assessed the channels of information available to four farming communities in Ghana and analyzed stakeholder networks in information generation and dissemination. About 50% of the farmers expressed a willingness to pay for relevant information, though they think general farm information should be free to all. Farmers ranked other farmers as their most important and least expensive sources. Farm-level decision-making requires timely, adequate, and appropriate information, which can bring smallholder farmers closer to their world competitors through increased production, effective marketing, and increased incomes.     

Factors Affecting the Selection of Information Sources of Sustainable Agricultural Practices by Malaysian Vegetable Farmers

Information is key in reducing the uncertainties of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs). The objective of this study was to improve the understanding of the relationship between utilized informational sources and other key identified factors affecting Malaysian vegetable producers' choices. The findings of a multivariate probit model suggest that information sources are complementary. The choices for these sources are influenced by heterogeneity in access to credit, social network (member of farmers association), and farm settings (distance from farm to market, resource depletion issues, and geographical regions). Future promotion of SAPs should be delivered through the provision of quality content disseminated through the preferred information sources, which target potential users.     

Determinants of Rice Farmers’ Utilization of Agricultural Information in Central Thailand

This study investigated factors affecting the utilization of agricultural information among rice farmers in central Thailand. About 240 rice farmers in the Bang Pla Ma District of Suphanburi Province were surveyed and interviewed to describe how they utilize agricultural information. Respondents were divided into small, medium, and large rice farmers according to farm size. Small farmers had more access to information on farming practices and postharvesting activities, while large and medium farmers utilized more information on marketing, covering future market and farmgate prices. The multinomial logit model showed that length of farming experience, household labor size, distance to the Rice Research Center, and number of information sources, as well as access to the Internet, television, extension program, and relatives, significantly influence farmers’ utilization of agricultural information.     

Ethno-Practices and Adaptation Strategies for the Mitigation of Climate Change by Arable Crop Farmers in Osun State: Implications for Extension Policy Formulation in Nigeria

The study investigated methods used by arable crop farmers to mitigate climate change in Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of a structured interview schedule from 120 arable crop farmers selected from 24 communities. Age (b = ?.392; p < .05), household size (b = .190; p < .049), income (b = .182; p < .057), sources of information (b = .161; p < .105), and farm size (b = .258; p < .004) were significant with adaptation strategies. Strategies regularly employed included use of different planting dates (88.6%), multiple cropping (73%), and cover cropping (55%). The study concluded that arable crop farmers use sustainable methods to ameliorate climate change to the advantage of their production.     

Effect of Information Communication Technology on Agricultural Information Access Among Researchers,Extension Agents,and Farmers in South Western Nigeria

This study compared researchers, extension agents, and farmers’ perceptions of the effect of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on agricultural information access. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 88 researchers, 115 extension agents, and 271 farmers. Data collected through a structured questionnaire were analyzed using means, standard deviation, and one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that, of the 29 statements on the rating scale, researchers, extension agents, and farmers agreed with and were positively disposed to 25, 23, and 19, respectively. A significant difference in the effect of ICT on agricultural information access among researchers, extension agents, and farmers (F = 6.49, p < .05) was observed. Access to agricultural information through ICT will continue to improve, since perceptions are overtly positive among researchers, extension agents, and farmers.     

Farmers’ Perspectives on Animal Husbandry Information Services in India

In an emerging knowledge economy, an efficient transfer of quality information to farming communities for better decision making is critical. This article analyzes the effectiveness of livestock information delivery services in Uttar Pradesh, India, based on primary and secondary data sources. Findings of the study indicate that public sector initiatives to deliver information on livestock practices are seriously lacking and farmers are primarily dependent on progressive farmers for livestock-related solutions. In addition, there is limited availability of information on critical aspects of livestock decision making, as about 70% of farmers are using only animal-health-related information. Results from a primary survey indicate that the information used by farmers is of average quality due to the paucity of information emanating from organized extension services and suggest improvement in the quality, reliability, and timeliness of information delivery.     

Information Literacy Among the Rural Community in an Economically Backward Region of Karnataka State,India

In India, more than 70% of the population lives in villages and agriculture is the main source of income. A study of the rural community in the Bellary District was undertaken to understand their socioeconomic status; the types, channels and sources of information used; and difficulties faced in utilization of the information. Findings show that the majority of the respondents are youth and have completed at least primary education. Only 10% can read and write English; they are unable to utilize information in languages other than Kannada, their mother tongue. Friends, neighbors, and elders serve as the major source of information; television, mobile phone, and radio are the preferred channels for agricultural information. Rural educated youth should be trained in the latest information technologies and encouraged to collect and disseminate need-based information; rural libraries, equipped with television and Internet connectivity, must impart information literacy skills.     

Of Mice and Men: When Face-to-Face Agricultural Information is Replaced by a Mouse Click

In this article we present and discuss two experiments designed to test the effectiveness of the Internet as a tool of agricultural information. Subjects were cotton producers from Thessaly, Greece. Findings suggest that, in the early stages of an innovation diffusion process, the Internet is more effective than social sources (Experiment 1). However, when urgent situations that force quick decisions occur (Experiment 2), the Internet is significantly less effective than face-to-face communication channels. In both cases, farmers who used the Internet spent more time and devoted extra effort. The experiments proved that agronomists remain the most effective information source. Results also illustrate that Internet adoption is not necessarily synonymous with its use.     

Information Communication Technology Needs of Small-Scale Farmers in Anambra State,Nigeria

This study sought to identify the information communication technology (ICT) needs of small-scale farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data from a sample of 108 farmers. Results revealed that the majority used radio and television and owned mobile phones and video machines. Constraints to use included capacity, infrastructural/technical and logistical problems. The study recommends that the Nigerian government reorient its policies in order to harness the potential of ICTs to contribute to agricultural development and highlights the need to raise awareness of the agricultural uses of ICTs among the government, other national stakeholders, and rural communities.     

A Review of “World Food: Production and Use”

The credibility, reliability, and adequacy of information sources are cardinal to adoption of technologies that increase agricultural productivity. Date palm production in Nigeria is low and, considering its high demand, makes the country a net importer of date to meet local demands.

This study assessed the sources of information on date palm in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 115 date palm farmers. The results show that friends and relatives, extension agents, and radio are the preferred sources of information. The frequency and adequacy of use follow a similar pattern of preference.     

Extending Our Reach: Surveying,Analyzing, and Planning Outreach to Extension Staff

This study describes how University of Minnesota Extension staff locate and use information to accomplish daily activities. The major findings were: (a) information seeking is a daily or weekly need; (b) staff use predominately online resources from a variety of sources—peer-reviewed journals, technical or research reports, and government information—and use search engines most frequently to locate them; and (c) Extension staff are aware of the majority of library resources and services. Extension staff welcome advanced information-seeking tools and techniques for professional development.