ASSESSMENT OF EXTENSION COMMUNICATION CHANNELS AMONG AGROFORESTRY FARMERS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Communication channels are pathways through which information or messages are transmitted to an audience or receiver. The focus of this study was to assess extension communication channels among agro-forestry farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 267 respondents using str...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Suleiman R.A., Ikani E.I., Mamma S., Ariyo O.C., Oladele O.N., Adelani O.D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: iVolga Press 2021-09-01
Series:Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences
Subjects:
Description
Summary:Communication channels are pathways through which information or messages are transmitted to an audience or receiver. The focus of this study was to assess extension communication channels among agro-forestry farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 267 respondents using structured questionnaire. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics and 5-points likert scale. The result showed that (44.57%) of the farmers are within productive age bracket (21-40 years) with an average age of 38 years. Majorities (67.4%) of the farmers are male and 73.4% married. The result showed that the majority of the respondents are male (67.4%) with mean age of 38 years. They are married (73.4%) with average household size of 5, average farm size 2.8 ha and average farming experience of 11 years respectively. The result further showed that radio (79.78%) and television (70.79%) were rated high by the famers among the channel of communication used in the dissemination of agro-forestry technology. Also, radio (81.65%) and television (73.03%) are the major source of information to agro-forestry farmers. Tree and shrubs on pasture system (ϰ͞ =3.91; SD= 1.06) and integrated production system (ϰ͞ =3.90; SD= 1.03) are the most aware agro-forestry technologies by the farmers. Group discussion (79.78%) and visit (70.79%) were the most preferred extension communication channels. Inadequate extension agent (80.15%), incompetency of extension agents (62.55%) and respondent’s poor attendance at meeting (52.43%) are the major constraint to effective extension communication channels. The study recommends the use of group discussion and visit as the most appropriate communication channels to the agro-forestry farmers in the study area. Also, more trained extension agents should be made available to farmers for effective and efficient agro-forestry technologies delivery.
ISSN:2226-1184