MASS MEDIA COVERAGE OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION: THE BENUE STATE EXAMPLE
The development of agriculture largely depends on the extent to which proven agricultural innovations are adequately disseminated. Nigeria had a strong export sector but research had indicated that the range and quantity of products had declined sharply. It is believed that communication could...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria
2018-10-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Agricultural Extension |
| Online Access: | http://aesonnigeria.org/ajm/index.php/jae/article/view/1639 |
| Summary: | The development of agriculture largely depends on the extent to which
proven agricultural innovations are adequately disseminated. Nigeria had
a strong export sector but research had indicated that the range and
quantity of products had declined sharply. It is believed that
communication could have a role in reviving agriculture. This study was
designed to evaluate mass media coverage of agricultural information in
Benue State Nigeria. Data were collected from agricultural information/
programmes and materials by Radio Benue Station, the Nigerian
Television Authority (NTA) Makurdi and the Sun Newspaper for one year.
This was complemented by interview with some Producers and Writers.
The result indicated that the lowest average mass media coverage in one
year was in agriculture (6.1% for Radio Benue, 0.8% for NTA and 1.9% >
for The Sun Newspaper), white News ranked highest in Radio Benue
(29.9%), Political issues in NTA (46.5%) and Advertisement in The Sun
Newspaper (19.1%). The ANOVA test showed significant difference in the
coverage of agricultural programmes (P<0.05) indicating- that the
percentage of agricultural information given in the different media differs.
The study, also, revealed that inadequate coverage materials and
transport facilities were considered high amongst factors militating against
effective placement and dissemination of agricultural information in the
media. Poor sponsorship was moderate for the Radio station but high for
TV and Newspaper. Therefore, it was suggested that effective coverage
of agricultural information in the mass media could be improved if all the
relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector place priority on
sponsoring and facilitating the dissemination of agricultural information.
|
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1119-944X 2408-6851 |