Information Needs of Lima beans Farmers for Commercial Production in Oyo State, Nigeria (Published)
The information needs of Lima beans farmers for commercial production in Oyo State was investigated. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 134 respondents in the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on respondents’ characteristics, information needs on Lima beans, information source, and constraints in commercial production of Lima beans. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that majority (73.5%) were between the ages of 51 and 70 years, male (88.9%) and larger percentage (55.9%) did not have formal education. The major areas where farmers needed information were credit and input sources (x̄=1.91±0.28), weather forecast (x̄=1.88±0.32) and value addition and processing (x̄=1.79±0.31). Majority of respondents sourced information from fellow farmers (x̄=1.64±0.34) and radio (x̄=1.00±0.24). The major challenges confronting farmers on commercial production of Lima beans were climate related issues (x̄=1.52±0.28), lack of improve seed (x̄=1.50±0.26) and limited access to credit (x̄=1.41±0.28). There was a significant relationship between respondents information needs and their house hold size ((X2=13.71,P=0.002). The need for farmers to have access to timely technological information and credit sources cannot be over emphasized, it is therefore recommended that government and relevant agencies should strengthen extension service and make provision for a low interest loan without collateral to farmers who grow Lima beans.
Keywords: Information, Lima beans, improved seed, value addition
Access and Use of Information Sources by Agricultural Researchers of Fadis and Mechara Agricultural Research Centers, Ethiopia (Published)
Access and use of information is required to improve agricultural production and productivity. Information is believed to be the foundation for improved agriculture. There are different sources of information but what matters are ‘what’ sources are available and relevant to the different categories of users and what sources of information are useful for their different seeking behavior, and mainly for utilization in order to accomplish tasks/needs. This study was conducted to assess the access and use of information sources by agricultural researchers in Fadis and Mechara Agricultural Research Centers of Ethiopia. The went further to identify how researchers search, articulate and utilize the information sources. Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and focus group discussion and observation were used to qualitative data from the entire researchers of the two Research Center. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and triangulation respectively. Findings revealed that majority of researchers have physical access to computer in office while some of the researchers have no computer access even in office. The available computers are not fully functional because of the absence of skilled ICT person who maintain the damaged computer at the centers. The use of internet and library visit is not adequate in the study areas thereby led to minimum satisfaction to existing information services. The study therefore recommended that effort should be made to train specialists to keep the available information sources effective and efficient so as to improve information access and utilization.
Keywords: Access, Ethiopia, Information, Sources, researchers, use