ASSESSMENT OF COCOA FARMERS INFORMATION NEEDS AND SEARCH BEHAVIOUR IN EDO AND ONDO STATES, NIGERIA
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Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to assess the information needs of cocoa farmers in Edo and Ondo states. Specifically, the study was conducted to investgate the information needs assessment of cocoa farmers; ascertain the farmers’ preference for cocoa information sources; examine cocoa farmers information needs and farmers search behavior and examine cocoa
farmers’ constraints to information accessibility in the study area. Multistage random sampling procedure was used to select 432 respondents while a structured interview schedule was used to solicit information from the respondents.
The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Binary logit regression, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and 2x2 matrix used to establish the priorities mean score). The result revealed that the mean age of cocoa farmers was 52 years while majorities (70.4%) of the farmers were male. Majorities (35.4%) of the farmers had formal
education, higher membership of a group (93.5%) and were married (80.3%). Majority (74.3%) of the cocoa farmers’ cultivated farm lands of less than 10 hectares with a mean farming experience of 22 years. This study revealed that the most prominent sources of information wasinput dealers/suppliers (( =2.86±0.40), while Television (
=2.80±0.50) and face to face advice by other farmers ( =2.76±0.56), extension posters=2.87±0.45) were the most preferred among the institutional bodies, mass media electronics, print media and traditional sources of information respectively. The mean score for weed control (control ( =3.14) and pest and disease =3.14) which were ranked 2nd in cocoa production information needs were ranked 1st and 4th in level of information search with the mean values of ( =2.24) and ( =2.03)respectively. Hence, the farmers need training in their information search behaviour.
From the Matrix presentation, it was observed that cocoa production information with the discrepancies scores of farm layout with a weighted mean score of 5.48, farm cultivation system with a weighted mean score of 4.82 and seed selection and planting materials which had a weighted mean score of 4.67 were the critical areas where cocoa farmers need training or
education in cocoa production information needs. Binary Logistic Regression indicated that the Nagelkerke R square value of 0.15 and 0.29 for Edo and Ondo States respectively indicated that the determinants would collectively explain about 15.0% and 29.5% variation in cocoa production information needs of farmers, respectively in the study area. Also the
binary logistic regression test indicated that extension agents (t= 1.61; p≤0.01); input dealers/suppliers (t=2.89;p≤0.01); internet (t=- 1.65 p≤0.01), cable network (t= 2.56; p≤ 0.01); family members (t= 0.92;
p≤0.05) and face to face contact with other farmers (t =0.67; p≤0.01) were the most significant preferred sources of information on farmers production infomtion needs. The finding ofPearson’s Product Moment Correlation indicated that positive and significant correlation exists between production information needs (r=0.271; p≤0.01) and postharvest information needs
(r=0.303; p≤0.01) and farmers’ search behaviour for information
farmers’ constraints to information accessibility in the study area. Multistage random sampling procedure was used to select 432 respondents while a structured interview schedule was used to solicit information from the respondents.
The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Binary logit regression, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and 2x2 matrix used to establish the priorities mean score). The result revealed that the mean age of cocoa farmers was 52 years while majorities (70.4%) of the farmers were male. Majorities (35.4%) of the farmers had formal
education, higher membership of a group (93.5%) and were married (80.3%). Majority (74.3%) of the cocoa farmers’ cultivated farm lands of less than 10 hectares with a mean farming experience of 22 years. This study revealed that the most prominent sources of information wasinput dealers/suppliers (( =2.86±0.40), while Television (
=2.80±0.50) and face to face advice by other farmers ( =2.76±0.56), extension posters=2.87±0.45) were the most preferred among the institutional bodies, mass media electronics, print media and traditional sources of information respectively. The mean score for weed control (control ( =3.14) and pest and disease =3.14) which were ranked 2nd in cocoa production information needs were ranked 1st and 4th in level of information search with the mean values of ( =2.24) and ( =2.03)respectively. Hence, the farmers need training in their information search behaviour.
From the Matrix presentation, it was observed that cocoa production information with the discrepancies scores of farm layout with a weighted mean score of 5.48, farm cultivation system with a weighted mean score of 4.82 and seed selection and planting materials which had a weighted mean score of 4.67 were the critical areas where cocoa farmers need training or
education in cocoa production information needs. Binary Logistic Regression indicated that the Nagelkerke R square value of 0.15 and 0.29 for Edo and Ondo States respectively indicated that the determinants would collectively explain about 15.0% and 29.5% variation in cocoa production information needs of farmers, respectively in the study area. Also the
binary logistic regression test indicated that extension agents (t= 1.61; p≤0.01); input dealers/suppliers (t=2.89;p≤0.01); internet (t=- 1.65 p≤0.01), cable network (t= 2.56; p≤ 0.01); family members (t= 0.92;
p≤0.05) and face to face contact with other farmers (t =0.67; p≤0.01) were the most significant preferred sources of information on farmers production infomtion needs. The finding ofPearson’s Product Moment Correlation indicated that positive and significant correlation exists between production information needs (r=0.271; p≤0.01) and postharvest information needs
(r=0.303; p≤0.01) and farmers’ search behaviour for information
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