EFFECTIVENESS OF FARM RADIO BROADCAST IN THE PROMOTION OF YAM MINISETT TECHNOLOGY AMONG FARMER IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assessthe effectiveness of farm radio broadcast in the promotion of yam minisett technology among yam farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe socio-economic characteristics of respondents, examine the effectiveness of farm radio broadcasts in promoting yam minisett technology and identify the challenges faced by respondents in listening to farm radio broadcast on yam minisetttechnology in the study area. A purposive and random sampling was used to select four (4) LGAs (Oturkpo, Ohimini, Gboko and Ukum)from the 3 agricultural zones to get a sample size of 180 respondents. Objectives were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as percentages, frequency, mean and multiple regression. The results showed the mean age of respondents was 38 years, most respondents (65.00%) were males, and good number (41.67%) had tertiary educationwhilemost (57.78%) were married. Mean household size was 6 persons and mean farm experience was 10 years. Mean score from five point likert rating scale showed that Language used in broadcast (3.76), clarity of broadcast message (3.38), time of broadcast (3.06), duration of radio programme (3.06), skill of presenter (3.67), signal strength (3.64) and coverage of subject (3.32) were effective and efficiently promote yam minisett technology through the farm radio. The study concludes that farm radio is effective and positively influences the promotion of yam minisett technology. It is recommended that radio presenters that disseminate information about modern farming technology such as Yam Minisett Technology should use simple to understand packagesand Radio stations should ensure farmers participation through feedback to various agricultural programmes and farmers adequately followed up.