WOMEN FARMERS’ PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF MASS MEDIA IN ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Despite the numerous benefits of mass media in accessing agricultural information, unfavourable perception of women farmers about mass media has negatively influenced the usage. This study examined women farmers’ perceived effectiveness of mass media in accessing agricultural information in Kwara State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling was used to select 120 women farmers for this study. Primary data were gathered using an interview schedule. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings reveal that respondents highly rated the effectiveness of mass media in accessing information that promote farmers’ interactions (mean=3.33), access to market information (mean=3.28) and access to agricultural innovation (3.24) but were least effective to overcome local barrier/language (mean=2.59), linkage to extension agents (mean=2.83), and attend farm training (mean=2.87). Result of the regression analysis further shows that years of experience and amount of income earned had a positive significant (p<0.05) relationship while farm size shows negative significant relationship with aggregated contribution of about 60% (R2 = 0.602, F = 14.836, p < 0.01) on how women farmers perceived the effectiveness of mass media in accessing agricultural information. Extension information dissemination targeting women farmers should entails proper investigation of their needs, convenient time of listening and dissemination through radio and television.