ISSN 2360-798X
Abstract
This study assessed the sources and preferences of information on improved farm practices among melon farmers in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique involving purposive and simple random sampling was used to select 132 respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Kruskal–Wallis H test. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed using the test–retest method (r = 0.82). Results showed that 74.2% of respondents were female, with a mean age of 37 years. Major sources of information included personal experience (90.9%), family/parents (70.5%), and farmers’ groups (68.9%), while farmers’ groups (31.8%) were the most preferred source. Key constraints included lack of awareness (mean = 2.66) and inadequate funding (mean = 2.64). The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed no significant difference in information preference across wards (χ² = 0.633, p > 0.05). The study concludes that informal information systems dominate and recommends strengthening extension services and ICT-based dissemination channels.
Keywords: melon farmers, information sources, information preferences, agricultural extension, Nigeria