ASSESSMENT OF EXTENSION COMMUNICATION CHANNELS AMONG AGROFORESTRY FARMERS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA
R.A. Suleiman, EI Ikani, S. Mamma, Ariyo O.C., O. N. Oladele, Adelani O.D. · Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences · 2021
Communication channels are pathways through which information or messages are transmitted to an audience or receiver.The focus of this study was to assess extension communication channels among agro-forestry farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria.Primary data were collected from 267 respondents using structured questionnaire.The data were analysed with descriptive statistics and 5-points likert scale.The result showed that (44.57%) of the farmers are within productive age bracket (21-40 years) with an average age of 38 years.Majorities (67.4%) of the farmers are male and 73.4% married.The result showed that the majority of the respondents are male (67.4%) with mean age of 38 years.They are married (73.4%) with average household size of 5, average farm size 2.8 ha and average farming experience of 11 years respectively.The result further showed that radio (79.78%) and television (70.79%) were rated high by the famers among the channel of communication used in the dissemination of agro-forestry technology.Also, radio (81.65%) and television (73.03%) are the major source of information to agro-forestry farmers.Tree and shrubs on pasture system (𝜘͞ =3.91; SD= 1.06) and integrated production system (𝜘͞ =3.90; SD= 1.03) are the most aware agro-forestry technologies by the farmers.Group discussion (79.78%)and visit (70.79%) were the most preferred extension communication channels.Inadequate extension agent (80.15%), incompetency of extension agents (62.55%) and respondent's poor attendance at meeting (52.43%) are the major constraint to effective extension communication channels.The study recommends the use of group discussion and visit as the most appropriate communication channels to the agro-forestry farmers in the study area.Also, more trained extension agents should be made available to farmers for effective and efficient agro-forestry technologies delivery.