Farmers’ Preferences and Utilisation Towards Agricultural Information Sources

The Case of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

  • Teshale Tegene Toma Department of Public Relations & Communication Studies, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia, and School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
  • Pádraig Wims School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
  • Tagesse Abo Department of Public Relations & Communication Studies, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
  • Dinku Gebeyehu Department of Public Relations & Communication Studies, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
Keywords: extension agents, farm households, information, information sources, development, communication, development organisations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify farm households’ preferences towards agricultural information sources and their usage in the Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A proportionate sample of 364 farm households was selected using a systematic random sampling technique. A pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect primary data during June and July of 2020. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis (t-test and chi-square test) were used to analyse the data and test the level of association between the dependent and independent variables. Three focus group discussions were held with progressive farmers and the data were thematically analysed. The results revealed that co-farmers, extension agents, and family members were the most preferred sources by respondents. This shows interpersonal and peer-to-peer methods are dominantly used by farmers in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. To boost agricultural productivity and target communication campaigns, the government should devise a proper way of disseminating information to the farmers. Information should be available through the sources that have been used by the farmers considering how the messages are best suited to their context.  Moreover, some potential sources such as research and academic institutions and mobile phones should be accessible to transform the current practices of farming. 

Published
2021-12-27
How to Cite
Toma, T., Wims, P., Abo, T., & Gebeyehu, D. (2021). Farmers’ Preferences and Utilisation Towards Agricultural Information Sources. The Journal of Development Communication, 32(2), 23-32. Retrieved from https://jdc.journals.unisel.edu.my/index.php/jdc/article/view/207
Issue
Vol 32 No 2 (2021): The Journal of Development Communication (December 2021)
Section
Articles
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