Agricultural Development Programme's (ADP's) effectiveness in the use of mass media for agricultural information dissemination to farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study sought to assess ADP’s effective use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination to farmers in Imo state, Nigeria. A total of  120 farmers were selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Interview schedule was used to elicit information on farmers’ accessibility of agricultural information through mass media, perceived level of use of mass media in receiving agricultural information among farmers and to determine the perceived effectiveness of ADP’s use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination. Data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages, mean, and PPMC to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The result shows that the majority (88.3%) of the respondents accessed agricultural information through radio. Perceived level of use of mass media in receiving agricultural information (58.3%) was low. Use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination by ADP (59.2%) was ineffective. There was significant relationshipbetween the perceived level of use of mass media in receiving agricultural information (r=0.64) and the perceived effectiveness of ADP’s use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination. The use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination in Imo State by ADP was  ineffective. This work recommends that ADP in Imo State establish their own indigenous mass media tools to ensure its effective use by extension agents and control of content for agricultural information dissemination. Keywords: ADP, Agricultural information dissemination, Mass media