Information needs of grasscutter farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined information needs of grasscutter farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling was used to select a total of 76 grasscutter farmers in the study area, as descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages, as well as inferential statistics as  Pearson product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and chi-square were used for data analysis. The mean age and years of experience were 48.26 and 6.05 years respectively. Majority (86.8%) of the farmers were males and married (81.6%). There was a high level of information needs among a large number (60.5%), as farmers identified their most important information needs as detection of puberty (Mean = 2.74), detection of heat, (Mean = 2.74) and information on agricultural insurance policies (Mean = 2.66). Inadequate extension contact (Mean = 2.63), Lack of grasscutter farming professionals (Mean = 2.50) and inadequate extension facilities (Mean = 2.02) were important constraints confronting farmers in accessing  information on grass-cutter farming. Education (÷2 = 12.4), association membership (÷2 = 3.07) and constraints to accessing farming related information (r = 0.550) significantly influenced farmers information needs. The Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Oyo state should attach more importance to dissemination of information on grass-cutter farming, with emphasis on reproduction management practices.

Key words: Grass-cutter, constraints to accessing information, information needs, farmers