Information needs, and factors militating against fish farmers access to information in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the information needs and factors militating against access to information by fish farmers in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Quantitative research methodology was used and survey research design was adopted where cross-sectional survey was chosen for the study. The research instrument used to collect data was questionnaires. The population of the study comprises of fish farmers registered with the ministry of environment in Adamawa State, i.e. (232) in number. 232 questionnaires were administered to the fish farmers but only 216 of the returned questionnaires were found useful which was used to analyze the data. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics where the result indicated that male are more into fish farming than their female counterparts. The findings also reveals that young people aged (18- 42) with highest qualification being WAEC and ND/ dominates the fish farming activities in Adamawa State. Most fish farmers the result revealed used monoculture type of fish farming and concrete type of fish ponds. The major findings of the study revealed that fish farmers’ needs information on marketing, improved fingerlings and construction and management of fish ponds. However, fish farmers indicated poverty, illiteracy and information illiteracy as factors militating against their access to information. Therefore the study recommended that, government should provide jobs for the unemployed youths and also make self-reliant programs available to people. The governments should eradicate illiteracy by making education free or affordable and also adult literacy classes should be encouraged. Government should provide public libraries especially in rural areas and if possible ICTs centers should be provided to each major town to help easy access to informationto curb information illiteracy.

Keywords: Information, Needs, Fish Farmers, Factors, Access