EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIO USAGE FOR AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AMONG CASSAVA FARMERS IN AKOKO SOUTH EAST, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Effective dissemination of agricultural information is a key to sustainable farming. Radio has become a vital channel, offering timely updates and expert insights to farmers, especially for cassava farming. However, Cassava farmers face challenges in acquiring relevant agricultural information through radio due to the specific needs of cassava cultivation. The digital divide in regions with limited access to technology exacerbates these difficulties, making radio a crucial tool for ensuring equitable information access. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select the total number of respondents for the study. In the first stage, four (4) communities under Akoko South East namely were purposively selected. The second stage involved a simple random selection of two (2) wards from each community. This was followed by a random sampling of 15 cassava farmers from each of the 2 selected wards giving a total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. Primary data was gathered through the use of a questionnaire consisting of well-structured open and close-ended questions supported by interviews and descriptive statistics like frequency distribution mean and percentages were used to present data and inferential statistics such as chi-square was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed majority of the respondents in the study area were middle-aged 21-30 and had experience in farming activities. Most farmers were married, with a significant number being male. Educationally, 46.7% had primary-level education, with Christianity dominating. The findings presented sources of agricultural information among farmers. The respondents’ prominent sources were radio (86.7%), followed by friends/relatives (84.2%), Interpersonal relationships play a significant role in information dissemination, with farmers often seeking advice from family and friends. Radio is an effective medium for disseminating agricultural information, with farmers valuing it as a source of relevant farming practices and finding it helpful for improving knowledge and skills. However, there are concerns about limited coverage of agricultural topics and the timing of programs, suggesting a need for improved programming. The Chi-square test was used and the results showed that sex and marital status had the strongest impact on effectiveness scores. Sex had a stronger relationship with effectiveness scores, while married individuals had higher scores. On the other hand, Age, household size, and education also had an impact on the effectiveness of the score. Experience in farming had no significant impact, suggesting that this factor may not play a significant role in determining the success of cassava farming practices. The study explored the socio-economic characteristics and information dissemination practices among cassava farmers in the study area. Radio is the primary source of agricultural information, but its limited frequency and lack of feedback opportunities pose challenges. Radio is considered an effective medium for disseminating agricultural information, but farmers express concerns about the limited range of topics covered, timing of broadcasts, and lack of interaction opportunities. The study identified several constraints hindering the effective use of radio for agricultural information dissemination, including poor signal reception, inconvenient program timing, and a lack of detailed information addressing specific challenges faced by cassava farmers. Addressing these barriers can enhance the utility of radio as an agricultural communication tool.