Folk media preferences and prospects for agricultural extension service delivery in Benue state, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated folk media preferences and prospect for use in agricultural extension service delivery in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State. A total of 100 farmer respondents were selected using a random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, mean, percentage and chi-square. Majority (62%) of the respondents were married while 65% were males indicating a non gender sensitive population. A chi-square analysis of the degree of association between respondents’ personal and socio-economic characteristics and preference for folk media usage to obtain agricultural information indicated that marital status, educational status and farm size determine folk media preference. The study further revealed that folk media preference in descending order were: folk songs, town crier, folk dance, friends/relations and groups/association. Major reasons for folk me dia usage was effectiveness for information dissemination, entertainment and promotion of culture. It is, therefore, recommended that since marital status, educational status and farm size determine folk media preference, development agencies should take advantage of farmers’ preferences to ensure opti mum effect. Secondly, the major reasons for folk media usage reinforce the suitability of folk media for information dissemination in the study area. Therefore, agencies involved in rural development should use folk media to complement conventional media in Benue State.