Role of Agricultural Information in Enhancing Productivity among Farmers in Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Information is an essential ingredient for any successful enterprise. For farm business to thrive farmers should be kept abreast of new methods of production through relevant and timely information as this will help to increase their productivity. This study investigated the role of agricultural information in enhancing productivity among farmers in Ibarapa North local Government, area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were collected from fifty respondents randomly selected for the study. Collected data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The result of the study showed that majority of the respondents were male indicating that male still dominate farming in the area. On sources of information available to the farmers, the respondents revealed that they obtain information from various sources such as extension agents, farmers union, radio, television, workshop etc. They also indicated that they always source information from extension agents, farmers union, radio, input dealers, newspaper and fellow farmers. On how agricultural information enhances their productivity, the respondents agreed with the entire stated items as reasons while agricultural information improves their productivity. The study therefore recommended provision of relevant and timely information for farmers, encouragement of farmers to seek and utilise information as these will assist in bringing improvement to their productivity.