RESPONSIVENESS OF POULTRY FARMERS TO PRODUCTION INFORMATION DISSEMINATED THROUGH RADIO PROGRAMMES IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated poultry farmers’ responsiveness to production information disseminated through radio programmes in Ondo State, Nigeria. Using a multistage sampling procedure, a total of 126 farmers under the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) in Ondo State served as respondents. Data were collected through an interview schedule and analyzed using the mean and Pearson product-moment correlation. Cost-effectiveness ( 1.31) and convenience in accessing information ( 1.13) were reasons that motivated access to production information disseminated through radio programmes. Respondents were most responsive to poultry information on record keeping ( 1.19) and nutrition ( 1.09). Constraints associated with responsiveness to production information were a lack of power to charge the radio and other gadgets ( 1.31) and the general nature of the information disseminated ( 1.19). Improved productivity and income ( 1.31) and free access to expert advice ( 1.19) were prioritized as the benefits of responsiveness. A significant relationship existed between reasons that motivated poultry farmers to access production information (r = 0.635, p = 0.000), benefits of responsiveness to production information (r = 0.326, p = 0.002), and responsiveness to production information disseminated through radio programmes. The study recommends that extension practitioners sustain the dissemination of production information through radio programmes owing to the pronounced responsiveness by poultry farmers.