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IMPACT OF RADIO ON AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (A STUDY OF ODEDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

Radio broadcasting is a powerful and effective tool for the spread of education for both children and adults in order to achieve certain prescribed goals. The radio is a veritable channel through which group behaviour can be directed in a concerted way in order to bring about any social change. Radio stations are important channels through which these development communications can be transmitted because of its cost effectiveness and the fact that it does not necessarily require electricity to operate (Oyewole, and Ojo, 2018).

The success of agricultural development programmes in rural community largely depends on the nature and extent of use of radio in mobilizing farmers for the need for development. Communication has been acknowledged for playing a prominent role in the success of agricultural production and adoption of innovations. The planners in developing countries realized that the development of agriculture could be hastened with the effective use of mass media. (Amadi, 2018). There is no gainsaying in the fact that agricultural development broadcasts on radio play a major role in agricultural extension and rural development. In Nigeria, as in many other countries have limited numbers of extension agents, this make it impossible to reach all farmers by interpersonal means (Alozie, 2018). For this reason, radio have been used by agricultural organisations and broadcast stations to disseminate relevant agricultural information to large numbers of farm families at minimal cost and to areas hitherto not accessible to extension agents on a regular basis.

Opara, (2011) found that radio is the most accessible channel of communication to farmers in  agro-ecological zones of Nigeria and that they also listened to radio throughout the day, but generally prefer listening to agricultural broadcasts in the evening and in the local language. Dambatta, (2012) equally found out that farmers in Nigeria own or have access to radio sets and generally prefer listening to agricultural broadcasts in the evening between 5 pm -9 pm, while showing their acceptance of the programmes by requesting for allocation of more time.

The radio is a very important communication outlet and it has been found to play a greater role in the process of positive change than earlier envisaged. Van den Van and Hawkins (2016) opined that the radio does this by setting agenda for important discussing topics, transferring knowledge, forming and changing opinions and changing behaviors. The media is also believed to create awareness and diffuse a personal value system favourable to innovations, mobility achievement and consumption Nwachukwu, 2018).

Effective communication of new research findings and technologies in agriculture to rural farmers remain a promising strategy for increasing agricultural productivity (Banmeke and Olowu, 2019). There are new technologies of animal husbandry as well as processing and marketing various agricultural products for the farmers to adopt innovations and put them to use, such innovations ought to reach the farmers and or their homes through effective extension and mass media channels (Egbule and Njoku, 2019).

The radio is a very important communication outlet and it has been found to play a greater role in the process of positive change than earlier envisaged. Van den Van and Hawkins (2019) opined that the radio does this by setting agenda for important discussing topics, transferring knowledge, forming and changing opinions and changing behaviors. The media is also believed to create awareness and diffuse a personal value system favourable to innovations, mobility achievement and consumption.

Agricultural extension service delivery has been conceived with communicating research findings and improved agricultural practices to farmers. The efficiency with which this information and practices are conveyed to farmers to a larger extent would determine the level of productivity. Extension organizations have been concerned with what should be the appropriate means and approaches to use to get the right agricultural information to the end users (farmers). Extension therefore, is a communication, a process whereby various participants and stakeholders are linked and exchanged information necessary for sustainable agricultural development (Ani, 2019).

Information and communication are essential ingredients needed for effective transfer of technologies that are designed to boost agricultural production. For livestock farmers to benefit from such technologies, they must first have access to learn how to effectively utilize them in their farming systems and practices. Radio is most use in transferring improved agricultural technologies to the end users (farmers). Radio is important in providing information for enabling the rural community to make informed decision regarding their farming activities, especially in the rural areas of developing countries (Enwelu, Enwereuzor, Asadu, Nwalieji and Ugwuoke, 2019).

Hasan and Sharma (2018) noted that radio is used to reach a large number of people quickly. It is particularly useful in making large number of people aware of new ideas and practices, or alerting them to sudden emergencies. While the amount of detailed information that can be transmitted through mass media is limited, they can serve as an important and valuable function in stimulating farmers' interest in new ideas. Once stimulated or made aware through radio, farmers may seek additional information from neighbours, friends, extension agents or progressive farmers in the area (Sharma, 2018).

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Accessing information coming from physically remote rural locations in the in Nigeria was difficult and costly; and it was equally difficult to deliver information to the farmers, extension workers and researchers who live and work in such places. Telex services were tedious, telephone were unreliable, publications were costly, mail service were deteriorating and radio service were few and of poor quality (Greenidge, 2010). There was little expectation that the information needs of the developing world could easily be met let alone those of the agricultural sector.

Agriculture is a vital pillar for sustainable development and poverty reduction in Nigeria; it continues to face challenges especially at the regional or rural areas. Production is compromised due to volatile markets, low adaptation of improved technologies, limited access to markets and lack of knowledge among farmers. Adoption of pesticides, fertilizers and improved seeds and practices are only recently gaining momentum (Alozie, 2012).

Many farmers sell their produce immediately after harvesting them and end up purchasing them later when they run out of stock. Despite the fact that each local government has agricultural extension officers, it is imperative to note that they cannot reach everyone and may not have suitable forums to speak to the masses and to hold participatory discussions where the farmers can share their ideas and discuss their concerns (Umar, 2014).

Even with the emergence of new technology like mobile phones, it is still not easily to reach out to all the farmers, as some of them do not own phones. The challenge therefore facing farmers and the government in achieving the goal centrally lies in communication as a denominator to cause change. This therefore demands a communication approach that targets and also involves the targeted community.

1.3       Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to investigate the impact of radio on agricultural development. Other specific objectives of the study however are to;

1.     To establish the relationship between radio and agricultural productivity among farmers.

2.     To examine farmers’ awareness about agricultural innovations through radio.

3.     To ascertain farmers’ perceptions on the role of radio in disseminating information.

4.     To find out if farmers use agricultural information to improve their faming method.

1.4        Research Questions

1.     Is there any relationship between radio and agricultural production?

2.     To what extent does farmers’ aware about agricultural innovations through radio?

3.     What is the farmers’ perceptions on the role of radio in disseminating information?

4.     To what extent do farmers use agricultural information to improve their faming method?

1.5     Hypotheses

1. H0: there is no relationship between radio and agricultural production.

H1: there is relationship between Radio and agricultural production.

2. H0: farmers’ do not aware about agricultural innovations through radio.

H1: farmers’ aware about agricultural innovations through radio.

3  H0: Radio does not play significant role in disseminating information to farmers.

H1: Radio plays a significant role in disseminating information to farmers.

1.6       Significance of the Study

This research will go a long way in helping the following;

Researchers: this research will, act as reference to future academic studies hence provide more information on radio and agricultural production. The study will also add more knowledge to existing information.

Farmers and Entrepreneurs: The study also hopes to highlight the problem associated with Agriculture and to make use of the analysis to improve effective production of agricultural products thereby minimizing the problems of communication among farmers

Government:  Government plays a crucial role in providing necessary farm equipment for farmers, to improve production of agricultural products; therefore the findings from this study will encourage government to come up with policies that will encourage the use of radio in disseminating agricultural information. This study will serve as requirement in partial fulfillment for the award of higher national diploma (hnd)

1.7       Scope of the Study

This research will go a long way in covering the following scope of the study;

This scope of this study will cover subject area of the study such as; concept of radio, function of radio, advantages and disadvantages of radio, concept of agriculture in Nigeria, development of agriculture in Nigeria, failure of agricultural policies and programmes in Nigeria, impact of radio on agricultural development in Nigeria will be fully discussed.

This study will cover various activities of OGBC audience in Odeda local Government Area of Ogun state. 

1.8         Limitation of the Study

A problem in gathering facts and figures for a project of this nature is inevitable. The researcher encountered some problems in administering the questionnaire. It look a lot of time and patient to get the appropriate people to fill and return the questionnaires, and getting access to the necessary documents was even more difficult.

Finally, time constraint is another limitation in the conduction of this research work. Although, despite the researcher work-load in preparing for the final examination during this research work, serious efforts were made to keep appointments with respondents and collection of other data that are objective factual and adequate for this research work.

1.9       Operational Definition of Terms

Agriculture is the cultivation of land and breeding of animals and plants to provide food, fiber, medicinal plants and other products to sustain and enhance life. 

Radio involves the process by which messages are sent through electrical waves. In other words, sound could be sent and received through these waves.

OGBC Radio: Ogun State Broadcasting Commission is a state own radio

Agricultural Development: This is the ability to develop better system of agricultural production.

Agricultural productivity: this is measure as the ratio of agricultural outputs to agricultural input.

Agricultural innovations: This is new techniques and method of agricultural practice

Farmer: A person who engage in agriculture in Odeda local government.

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