Radio Agricultural Programmes And Agricultural Practices Among Farmers In Aguata, Anambra State
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Agricultural development is not only indispensable but is also becoming increasingly information sensitive. Also as Padre (2003) puts it, access to information on agriculture has become a pre-requisite and a valuable resource for agricultural development. In this context, information is needed to exploit opportunities in time, raise awareness about agricultural practice in order to search for better opportunities and sustainable solutions. Success in enhancing food production, providing income and job opportunities and ensuring that the agricultural sub-sector performs its function in furtherance of rural and overall national development therefore depends largely on the communication system adopted to implement various agricultural programmes.
Mass media is a very important communication outlet and p1ays a significant role in agricultural development. Van den Van and Hawkins (1996) opines that this is done by setting agendas for important discussions and transfer of knowledge, thereby changing opinions and behaviours. The media is also believed to create awareness and diffuse a personal value system favourable to innovations, mobility achievement and consumption (Nwachukwu, 2003).
Agricultural extension is a communication, a process whereby various participants and stakeholders are linked and exchanged information necessary for sustainable agricultural development (Ani, 2001). Extension service delivery has been conceived with communicating research findings and improved agricultural practices for farmers. The efficiency with which this information and practices are conveyed to farmers to a larger extent determines the level of productivity. Extension organizations have been concerned with what should be the appropriate means and approaches to use in getting the right agricultural information to the end – user farmers.
Gurstein (2003) stresses that information and communication has become an increasingly powerful tool for improving the delivery of basic services and enhancing local development opportunities. The success of the transfer of information to the ultimate users is usually done through the use of mass media which is increasingly becoming a veritable instrument for transforming Nigerian agricu1ture (Patrick, 2001).
Okereke (1981) defines mass media as the process of transmitting information to a larger audience; it includes all the means of transmitting massages such as radio, television, newspapers, posters and magazines. Mass media is therefore considered as any material, object, instrument system which serves to communicate information (message) to audience; these include leaflets, farming press, newspapers, and films i.e. television and radio (Adams, 1982).
It has been observed that of all the technological changes occurring in the traditional societies of the underdeveloped world, the most efficient and effective have been the changes in modes of communication (Nwachukwu and Onuekwusi, 2005). According to Rogers (1995) mass media channels are often the most rapid and efficient means to inform an audience of potential adopters about the existence of an innovation, which is to create an awareness or knowledge of the innovation.
In recent decades, the widespread use of the mass media has resulted in heightening the level of public knowledge in different fields. Among the diverse mass media, radio, due to wide viewership, has an outstanding position particularly with regard to informal teachings, and is considered the best cultural and educational media. Among the different modes of communication, radio has been acknowledged as a powerful communication tool (Nazimi and Hasbullah, 2010). It has proven to be the most effective media in promoting agricu1tural development in rural areas (Nakabugu, 2001). FAO (2001) acknowledged radio as the most important communication medium for communicating with the rural populations in developing countries. Adequate and relevant radio programmes is one of the key requirements for increased productivity, increased income and the reduction of poverty among food producers (Nkrumah, 2008).
As earlier noted, radio remains a powerful communication tool. Experience with rural radio has shown the potential for agricultural extension to benefit from both the reach and the relevance that local broadcasting can achieve by using participatory communication approaches. The importance of sharing information locally and opening up wider information networks for farmers is explored with reference to the specific example of vernacular radio programmes based on research on soil and water conservation. It is against this background that this study seeks to ascertain the use of radio agricultural programme in agricultural practice among fanners in Aguata.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Considerable knowledge and research recommendations on crop and animal productions, disease control, soil management, fertilizer application, agricultural credit sources, etc, are generated daily from and across research facilities and institutes with the aim of increasing agricultural productivity. These have also been communicated to the people using the federal, state and private radio available in Aguata.
For instance, Radio Nigeria Purity 102. 5 in Aguata in Anambra State uses Farmers Desk programme to preach agricultural innovation to farmers, Anambra Broadcasting Service Onitsha 90. 7, uses Farmer Digest, a 30 minute programme targeted at the farmers while Odenigbo 99.1 FM uses The Rich Farmer a local language agricultural programme to educate farmers on productivity. The three radio stations have made a meaningful attempt towards encouraging agricultural innovation. However the widening gap between what radio stations have shown to be possible and feasible on one hand and what obtains on the other hand, such as the seeming decline in agricultural production, poverty and food insecurity in Aguata raises the question of whether the potentials of radio information are being harnessed by farmers and other users of agricultural information and technologies. This scenario has left this researcher in doubt of whether farmers in Aguata expose themselves to radio agricultural programmes. The question therefore is: to what extent are farmers in Aguata community of Anambra State making use of radio agricultural programmes to improve their yields?
1.3 Research Objectives
To find out if farmers in Aguata have access to radio
To find out if they listen to radio agricultural programmes.
Ascertain the frequency of exposure to radio agricultural programmes
Identify the benefits that the farmers derive from exposure to radio agricultural programmes.
1.4 Research Questions
To achieve the objectives, the researcher posed the following research questions:
Do farmers in Aguata have access to radio?
Do farmers in Aguata expose themselves to radio agricultural programmes?
What is the level of exposure to radio agricultural programmes among farmers in Aguata?
Does radio agricultural programmes satisfy the yearning of farmers in Aguata?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The focus of this study was to find out if farmers in Aguata listen to radio agricultural programme and to know the impact these programmes have on the farmers. The study identifies the kind of radio programmes farmers are frequently exposed to and how this programmes influences their agricultural programmes. It is hoped that the results of this study will be useful to radio programme producers to consider what type of prograrnmes and the particular type of programmes that appeal to farmers in Aguta community.
Furthermore, the findings and conclusions of this study should be of academic relevance as it will contribute to further knowledge, filling the gap in the field of communication studies in general and broadcasting in particular.
1.6 Delimitation of the Study
This study delimited itself to major areas in Aguata such as Akpo, Achina, Uga, Igbo-Ukwu, Ikenga and Aguluezechukwu. The radio stations under study include; Radio Nigeria Purity 102, 5, Anambra Broadcasting Service Onitsha 90.7, Odenigbo 99.1 FM. This study coves a Federal radio, state radio and a private radio.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
The unwillingness from respondents to fill the questionnaire and lack of sufficient literature on the subject matter were the major challenges encountered in the course of trying to ascertain the role of radio in agricultural information dissemination.
1.8 Definitions of Terms
The following terms are defined operationally to reflect their meanings in the study.
Radio Agricultural programmes: This refers to a planned series of events on the select radio that focus on agricultural development.
Programmes: A planned series of events, items or performance.
Agricultural Information: This refers to report, documentary and news that bother on agricultural development.
Gratification: This refers to the benefits which farmers in Aguata derive from exposure to radio agricultural programmes.
Uses: Within the use and gratification model, uses are defined as what farmers in Aguata with radio agricultural programmes.
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