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Effect of Agricultural Extension Broadcasts on Farmers’ Use of Community Information Boards

Abstract

Agricultural extension broadcasts are important communication channels for providing farmers with timely information on improved farming practices, agricultural technologies, market opportunities, weather conditions, and other issues affecting agricultural production. Community information boards can complement these broadcasts by providing a visible and accessible platform where agricultural information can be displayed for farmers within rural communities. The interaction between broadcast-based extension information and community information boards may improve farmers’ awareness and use of agricultural information. This study will examine the effect of agricultural extension broadcasts on farmers’ use of community information boards. Specifically, the study will assess farmers’ exposure to agricultural extension broadcasts, determine their awareness and use of community information boards, examine the frequency with which farmers obtain agricultural information from these boards, and assess the extent to which agricultural extension broadcasts encourage farmers to access information displayed on community information boards. The study will focus on farmers’ exposure to agricultural extension broadcasts, awareness of community information boards, frequency of accessing information boards, types of agricultural information obtained, usefulness of displayed information, and farmers’ use of information received through these platforms. The study will also consider information relating to crop production, livestock management, agricultural inputs, pest management, weather information, market opportunities, government agricultural programmes, and other relevant agricultural recommendations. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from selected farmers using structured questionnaires designed to obtain information on their exposure to agricultural extension broadcasts and their use of community information boards. The data will be analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation, as well as appropriate inferential statistical techniques to determine the effect of agricultural extension broadcasts on farmers’ use of community information boards. The study is expected to reveal that farmers who are regularly exposed to agricultural extension broadcasts may demonstrate greater awareness and use of community information boards. The findings may also indicate that broadcasts can direct farmers’ attention to important information displayed on community boards and encourage them to seek additional details on agricultural recommendations, programmes, market opportunities, and production practices. The study will be useful to agricultural extension agents, farmers, community development organisations, radio broadcasters, agricultural agencies, government institutions, non-governmental organisations, and researchers. It may provide useful information for strengthening the combination of broadcast communication and community-based information platforms. The findings may also assist extension organisations in improving the content, timing, placement, and accessibility of agricultural information displayed on community information boards. The study concludes that agricultural extension broadcasts can support farmers’ use of community information boards by increasing awareness of the information available through community-based communication platforms. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension organisations strengthen coordination between broadcast programmes and community information boards, provide clear and relevant agricultural information, update displayed materials regularly, and encourage farmers to use community information boards as complementary sources of agricultural extension information.

Keywords: Agricultural extension broadcasts, community information boards, farmers’ information access, agricultural communication, extension services, agricultural information, radio broadcasts, community information, farmers’ awareness, extension communication, rural farmers, information dissemination, agricultural advisory services, community-based extension, agricultural education.