Information needs of farmers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria
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Date
2013-06-05
Journal Title
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Publisher
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study investigated the management practices employed in fish farming and the constraints militating against effective fish production in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from one hundred and twenty fish farmers that were randomly selected from two fish farmers association existing in the area. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive (frequency, percentages and mean scores) and inferential (Pearson product moment correlation) statistics. Findings from the study showed that respondents had average age of 46.23 years, 82.8% indicated different levels of formal education while more than 2/3rd of them had between 1 to 20 years of fish farming experience. Information was mostly needed in fish marketing strategy. Respondents indicated lack of sufficient capital as a major challenge in fish farming. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationship between age (r = -0.821, p = 0.001); educational level (r = -0.718, p = 0.000); years of experience (r = -0.870, p = 0.003) of the fish farmers and their information needs. The implication of the findings of the study is that information is urgently needed by the fish farmers in areas such as fish marketing, processing and preservation, brood stock selection and water quality management. The study therefore recommends the need for extension agencies to provide robust and timely information in the areas of need highlighted by the fish farmers in order to increase production efficiency and output of the fish farmers.
Description
Keywords
Information needs, fish, fish farmers, aquaculture
Citation
Adefalu, L.L; Aderinoye-Abdulwahab, S.A; Bello, O.G; Olorunfemi, O.D., & Oba, S.A. (2013): Information needs of farmers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 9 (2): 1-5