Assessment of the Role of Mass Media in the Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies among Farmers in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the Role of Mass Media in the Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies among Farmers in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State. A random sampling technique was used for selecting samples. The total sample size was 108 respondents. Data were collected through a well structure interview schedule and analyzed with descriptive statistics and Chi- square. The study showed that the respondents have different degree of accessibility to radio, television, telephone, Internet, and newspaper/ bulletin. Radio was found to be more accessible (46.3%) and also the major source (60.19%) of agricultural technologies to the farmers. The study further revealed that 90.7% of the respondents affirms that mass media is effective in the dissemination of agricultural technologies while 9.3% saw mass media as not effective. The Chi- square analysis at 0.01% level of probability showed that the use of mass media was effective in the dissemination of agricultural technologies in the study area. The factors militating against the effective utilization of mass media as source of agricultural technologies to the farmers in the study area were also identified to be illiteracy, low income level, lack of credit facilities, and inadequate/ erratic power supply. To enhance the effectiveness of mass media in the dissemination of agricultural technologies for agricultural development in the study area there is need to strengthen the use of radio and television in information dissemination to farmers, more competent presenters who are knowledgeable in agriculture to handle agricultural programs. Also such programs should be broadcasted in local languages as much as possible and efforts must be taken to guarantee that the airing times are suitable.

Key words: Agricultural technologies, Dissemination, Mass media, Analysis