ISSN 2360-7971
Abstract
The study assessed utilization of information sources among swine farmers in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 100 respondents, and data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, frequency counts, means, and percentages were employed to analyze the data. Findings revealed that swine farmers were predominantly male (77%), within the 31–50 years age range, with a mean age of 34 years, and 52% possessed tertiary education. The average farming experience was 18.9 years, indicating considerable technical exposure. The most available sources of agricultural information were fellow farmers (99%), radio/TV programs (98%), and internet/social media (90%). However, utilization was highest for radio/TV (93%), fellow farmers (85%), and agricultural input dealers (79%), while extension agents (13%) and veterinary officers (19%) were least utilized, reflecting weak institutional support. Major determinants of information utilization included accessibility (91%), relevance of content (75%), and educational level (75%). Key challenges comprised lack of pig management knowledge (3.51), high feed costs (3.35), untimely information delivery (3.22), and poor infrastructure (2.79). The study concludes that although swine farmers have access to multiple information channels, their effective utilization is constrained by infrastructural and institutional barriers. Strengthening agricultural extension and veterinary services, enhancing digital literacy, and developing farmer-centered communication platforms are recommended to improve information flow, decision-making, and productivity in the swine subsector.
Keywords: Assessment, Information, Source, Utilization, Farmers