Farmers’ Utilisation of Agricultural Information on Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (Orisun 89.5 FM) in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed farmers’ utilisation of agricultural information on Osun state broadcasting corporation (Orisun 89.5 FM) in Osun state, Nigeria. A total of 130 farmers were sampled through multi stage sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics (percentages and mean) and inferential statistics Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to analyse data.
Perceived credibility of agricultural information was high for crop production (54.6%), animal production (55.4%) and off farm activities (58.5%). Information was not perceived as timely disseminated for crop production (74.6%), animal production activities (75.4%) and off farm activities (76.9%). Furthermore, perceived relevance of agricultural information disseminated was high for crop production (57.70%), animal production (58.50%) and off farm activities (54.60%). On the overall utilisation of information disseminated was high (54.6%). Significant relationship was established between, perceived credibility (r=0.207), perceived timeliness (r=0.266), perceived relevance (r=0.328) and utilization of information disseminated. The study recommends that only programmes that are thought through as credible and relevant to
the enterprise needs of the recipients should be aired. Most importantly, programmes should be timely aired to ensure appropriate utilisation of the information disseminated.