Communication Pathways for the receipt of Information on Horticultural Crops by Benue Farmers: A case from Vendeikya Local Government Area (LGA)

Abstract

The study examined the communication pathways used for the dissemination of information on horticultural crops in Vandeikya LGA of Benue State in order to ascertain the most effective one. Data collected from one hundred and twenty (120) randomly selected vegetable farmers in eight wards using structured questionnaire were analyzed and presented using frequency distribution and percentages. The results showed that 58.3% of the respondents were within the active, energetic working age bracket of 26-45 years, 67.5% were males, 80% had at least secondary education. Major traditional pathways for receiving information on horticultural crops are Traditional songs (65. 0%), Village markets (62.5%), Community Leaders (60.0%) and Religious gatherings (49.2%) while modern pathways are Radio and television (58.3% respectively), Agricultural extension workers and schools (55.0% respectively). However, most farmers prefer traditional songs (35.8%) and religious places (33.3 %) Chi-square test showed that a relationship exists between age, sex and education and communication pathways such as village markets and cooperative society meetings, radio and extension workers at 5% level of significance. It was recommended that agricultural extension and communication workers should make use of village markets, meetings and radio to channel messages on horticultural crops to farmers in order to facilitate information delivery.