Agricultural Information Literacy Skills and Information Use by Farmers in Iwo Senatorial District of Osun State, Nigeria

Okediji Oyekanmi G., Hawwau Adedayo Moruf, Hakeemat Bello S.

Abstract


Information literacy is a paradigm for lifelong learning. This study analyses farmers’ agricultural information literacy skills and information use in Iwo Senatorial District of Osun State, Nigeria using a structured questionnaire to randomly sampled 480 respondents. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentage was used to analyse the level of information literacy, sources, frequency and purpose of agricultural information and challenges to agricultural information literacy. The result showed that the majority, 451 (94.0%) were skilled in using mobile to communicate. Majority of the respondents 453(94.4%) used and rely on agricultural extension agents for agricultural information while 451(94.0%) used information for the advancement of primary production of agriculture. The results further showed that the farmers (55.2%) used information on diseases and pest management almost on weekly basis. High rate of illiteracy with a response rate of 89.6% and a mean value of 3.56 was one of the major problems encountered by farmers in using agricultural information. Therefore, the study recommends that extension agencies should provide up-to-date information and technology that can improve these farmers’ skills in all these areas that they are deficient in relevant information. There is urgent need to intensify adult literacy campaign among the rural farmers.


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