Accessibility of Information Sources, Services and Use by Farmers of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, Yola

Accessibility of Information Sources, Services and Use by Farmers of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, Yola.

 ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken to investigate the accessibility of information sources, services and use by the farmers of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority Yola, that cover Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba states of Nigeria.

The study used five research questions and collected data from the sample of 1,694 out of the total population of the study which 17,720.

A survey research method was adopted for the study and answer were  sought on the types of information need by the farmers, the type of information resources and services available with the farmers, the types of information resources and services provided by the authority.

How does the farmers use the information resources and the extent at which the information resources and services provided by the authority is assisting the farmers.

The data were analyzed using frequency tables and percentage. The study revealed that the farmers operating under UBRBDA have different types of information resources on agriculture which include books, journals, radio and others. The agricultural services provided by the authority include extension services, seminars and workshops among others.

The result also revealed that farmers operating under UBRBDA are satisfied with services given by the authority, which as a result they are getting good market of their produce and getting assistance toward adopting modern farming techniques.

In conclusion, the  study recommends that there is the need for the UBRBDA to recognize that the bulk of the rural farmers are illiterate, the extension workers should be well fluent with the language of farmers they are serving.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page – – – – – – – – – i
Declaration – – – – – – – – ii
Certification – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – – vi
Table of contents – – – – – – – viii

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study – – – – – 1
Concept of Information – – – – – 4
Information needs of farmers in Nigeria – – – 5
Information Resources/in Agriculture in Nigeria – 7
Information Services in Agriculture in Nigeria – 8
Access to Information and services in Nigeria- – 9
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – – 10
1.3 Research question – – – – – – 11
1.4 Objective of the study – – – – – 12
1.5 Significance of the study – – – – – 13
1.6 Scope of the study – – – – – – 13
1.7 Operational Definition of terms – – – – 14
References – – – – – – – 15

CHAPTER TWO Review of the Related Literature

2.1 Introduction – – – – – – – 16
2.2 Agricultural Information Services – – – 18
2.3 Farmers Agric Information Needs – – – 21
2.4 Information sources in Agriculture in Nigeria – 23
2.5 Agricultural Information Services in Nigeria- – 26
2.6 Access to Information Resources and services – – 27
2.7 Electronic Information sources for farmers- – 28
2.8 Summary of the Review – – – – – 40
References – – – – – – – 41

CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION – – – – – – – 43
3.2 Research Method Adopted – – – – 43
3.3 Population of the study – – – – – 44
3.4 Sample and Sampling Procedure – – – – 45
3.4 Instrument for Data Collection – – – – 46
3.5 Procedure for Data Analysis – – – – 46
References – – – – – – – 47

CHAPTER FOUR DATA PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS

4.1 Introduction – – – – – – – 48
4.2 Response Rate – – – – – – – 48
4.3 Data Presentation and Analysis – – – 49
4.3.1Types of Information needs by the farmers – – 49
4.3.2Types of Information resources with the farmers – 52
4.3.3Types of services provided to farmers by UBRBDA- 54
4.3.4Distribution of extent at which information resources and
services create good market to farmers – – – 57
4.3.5Distribution of the extent at which information resources
and services provided by UBRBDA – – – 58

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS — 60
5.1 Introduction – – – – – – – 61
5.2 Summary of the study – – – – – 61
5.4 Conclusion – – – – – – – 62
5.5 Recommendations – – – – – – 63
References – – – – – – – 64
Bibliography – – – – – – – 65

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Information is one of the basic resources required for the improvement of agricultural production. Information has been identified as the essential data for making decision.

With this quality of information it has become very necessary to be acquired and use in order to make an appropriate and meaningful decision. Mohammed (1994) information is a vital resources which provides impetus for a nation’s social, cultural, spiritual, political, economic, scientific and technological advancement.

Information supports every aspect of human endeavour, so information is needed and it will continue to be relevant towards human existence and for this reason the quality of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) that was established in Nigeria, with eleven other River Basin Development Authorities, by a decree No.25 of 1976 must be base on good information sources.

The River Basin Development Authority were established to serve as agencies of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

They were established with the aim and intent to provide services such as hydro electric power generation, irrigation, fishing and to provide domestic services. (Annual Report of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources 2004).

According to the report, the River Basin Development Authorities  in the country have such core functions as: To formulate, implement and update natural water resources of the country in a systematic, integrated and coordinated.

To collect, store analyze and disseminate hydrometrological and hydrological data and water resources, through the establishment, maintenance of water resources data base databank using the latest information and communication technology (ICT).

To support, monitor and evaluate the progress and performance of the river basin development authorities and national water. To develop and support irrigated agriculture and reduce the nations dependant on rain fed.

To provide and sustain national food security  by minimizing unexpected and undesirable shortfall in domestic production and agro-based raw materials caused by vagaries of weather. To explore and develop underground water.

To coordinate, formulate and review from time to time the national water. To coordinate the development and utilization of water resources for irrigation and water supply.To liaise with all relevant national and international agencies on matters relating to water.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Adetoro, Sheriffudeen Abayomi. (1986).Research Techniques for Projects, Proposals, Reports, Theses and Dissertations. Zaria: Gaskiya Corporation Limited.
Aina , L. O. (1990); Informing African Farmers: some obstacles to information flow. Information development, 6(4) 201-203
Aina L. O. (1985) “Information needs and seeking involvement of farmers in six rural communities in Nigeria.” Quarterly Bulleting of IAALD 30 (2) 30 – 40
Aina, L. O. (1986) an Empirical analysis of the information component of Agriculture extension services in Ibadan Area. P.H.D Thesis. University of Ibadan , 374 P.
Aina, L.O (1995). Information and Agriculture in Africa. In Agricultural Information in Africa: In Aina L.O. and Others (1995) Agricultural Information in Africa. Ibadan: Third World Information Services Ltd.
Akeredolu – Ale E.O (ed) (1993) Mass media and Rural Development in Nigeria: proceeding of a National seminar organized by the Directorate of food, road and rural infrastructures, spectrum publishers, p. 70-80
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Annual Report 2006 “Federal Ministry of Water Resources”. P.1-5

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