The Contributing role of the media in educating farmers in riverine areas on the choice of suitable crops and the use of technologies for farming in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Farmers in riverine areas face the dual challenge of determining the most suitable crop to cultivate and the appropriate technologies to use.  The media could be helpful in assisting farmers to address these challenges.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the  contributing role of the media in  educating farmers in riverine areas on the choice of suitable crops and the use of technologies for farming in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Methodology: The descriptive  survey research design was used to conduct the study.  Data were  collected through the questionnaire and  presented in frequency tables and percentages.

Results: The study found that newspapers, interpersonal communication, radio, town criers, and social media were the major sources of information on the most suitable crops for farmers in Bayelsa state. rRadio was found to be the commonest source of information on new farming technologies among farmers in Bayelsa State. Likewise, the study revealed that the challenges Bayelsa State farmers encounter in accessing farming information include electricity supply, extension officers` roles, illiteracy, broadcast time, costs of information gadgets, and ambiguous media contents.

Conclusion: The media have a big role to play in creating awareness about up-to-the-date farming technologies through their reportage. This can attract more people to farming, and invariably increase food production and income among farmers.

Unique contribution:  This study has offered information on the role that the media play in guiding farmers in their agricultural activities with particular referenmce to farmers in riverine areas. This information could guide policy and influence the future debate in the literature.

Key Recommendations:  It was recommended that the Bayelsa State government should deploy various media in disseminating agricultural information, and in creating awareness about the existence of modern technologies for the production of the most suitable crops for farmers in the state.