Determinants of Farmers' Information Seeking and Utilization on Seeds and Planting Materials in Lagos and Ogun States, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined farmers' information seeking and utilization pattern on seeds and planting materials in Lagos and Ogun States. A total of 220 farmers were selected through a multistage random sampling method and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Farmers were exposed to many sources of information on seeds and planting materials, but their use in decreasing order of preference was as follows: family member (87.3%), extension agents (86.4%), agricultural development projects (76.4%), neighbors (75.9%), contact farmers (most innovative farmer in an extension circle) (71.8%), friends/peers (67.7%), radio jingles (56.4%), and sales agent (50%). Farmers were aware of and used information on hybrids of maize (96.4%), cassava (94.6%), yam (88.2%), okra (88.2%), melon (81.8%), pepper (86.8%), tomatoes (87.7%), and vegetables (80.9%). Significant determinants of information seeking were age (t = 2.46), educational level (t = 2.57), farming experience (t = 2.65), family size (t = 1.70), credibility of source of information (t = 2.93), language of instruction (t = 1.80), and organization membership (t = 1.86). Significant determinants of information utilization were age (t = −2.13), educational level (t = 3.14), family size (t = 2.12) and extension contact (t = –1.71). The results suggest the relevance of use of improved seeds and planting materials among farmers. They also suggest the relevance of the characteristics of information sources as drivers of use of improved seeds and planting materials.

Keywords:

• information sources
• use
• seeds
• planting materials
• Nigeria
• extension contact
• seed supply services