African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6860

Full Length Research Paper

An assessment of use of radio in agricultural information dissemination: a case study of radio Benue in Nigeria

O. J. Okwu1, A. A. Kuku1 and J. I. Aba2*   
1College of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.  2F. S. Idachaba Library, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.   
Email: [email protected]

  •  Published: 31 January 2007

Abstract

This study investigated the use of radio as a medium of agricultural information delivery to farmers in 
Benue State, Nigeria. The objective was to determine the impact of radio agricultural programmes on 
the target audience (farmers). The data were collected from a sample of one hundred respondents 
selected through a simple random sampling technique. The data were analyzed with descriptive 
statistics viz frequency distribution and percentage. The findings of the study showed that 66% of the 
respondents listened to agricultural programmes aired on Radio Benue and 42% of the listeners 
indicated that the programmes were relevant to their agricultural information needs. Majority of the 
respondents admitted that they gained some new knowledge through listening to the programmes. 
Non-possession of radio set and unsuitable time of programme presentation were indicated constraints 
to listener- ship of the programmes. The programmes, to a large extent, had the desired impact on the 
listeners. It should therefore be sustained but with some modifications in terms of time of presentation 
and encouragement of group listener- ship. 
 
Key words: Agricultural Information, radio, assessment, listener-ship and impact.