Assessment of Agricultural Literacy Needs of Cassava farmers

ABSTRACT

This research work is centred on an assessment of agricultural literacy needs of cassava farmers in Ika North East LGA of Delta State. The purpose of the study was to assess the agricultural literacy needs of the cassava farmers. Five research questions were used to guide the study. A sample of 75 made up 41 male and 34 female cassava farmers in Ika North East LGA were used. The research design used for this study was the descriptive survey method and the instrument used is the questionnaire and the data for the study were collected by administering copies of questionnaires to the cassava farmers. The method used in the analysis of the data collected was the frequency table, percentage and mean. It was observed from the data analyzed, that these farmers need more knowledge on planting on ridges, weed management, row planting and irrigation during dry season and the agricultural literacy needs are marketing and distribution of agricultural products information, extension services, storage and processing information, information on improved agricultural technologies, agricultural credit and loans and government assistance as these farmers were faced with problems of extension services, insufficient knowledge and information on cassava production and also lack of information dissemination.  Based on the findings, recommendations were made; that cassava farmers should be provided with extension workers who will educate them on more and new aspects of agricultural literacy, government should provide credit and loans to encourage these farmers to improve their interest in agricultural production. Finally, it is necessary that these farmers should be exposed to more knowledge and information to increase their abilities to obtain, process and use information relevant to adoption of improved agricultural information and technology to encourage their interest toward agricultural productions. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE i

TITLE PAGE ii

CERTIFICATION iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v

LIST OF TABLES ix

ABSTRACT x

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

Background of the study 1

Statement of the problem 8

Purpose of the study 9

Research Questions 10

Hypotheses of the study 11

Significance of the study 11

Scope and Limitation of the study 12

CHAPTER TWO 13

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 13

Agriculture 13

Meaning of Literacy 15

Agricultural Literacy 17

Cassava (Manihot esculata) 21

CHAPTER THREE 31

RESEARCH METHOD AND PROCEDURES 31

Research Design 31

Population of the Study 32

Sample and Sampling Techniques 32

Research Instrument 33

Validity of the Instrument 34

Reliability of the Instrument 35

Method of Data Collection 35

Method of Data Analysis 36

CHAPTER FOUR 37

PRESENTATION OF DATA, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION 37

4.1 Testing of Hypotheses 46

4.2 Discussion of Findings 48

CHAPTER FIVE 54

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 54

5.1 Summary 54

5.2 Major findings 55

5.3 Conclusion 56

5.4 Recommendations 57

5.5 Suggestions for Further Research 58

REFERENCES 59

APPENDIX I 67

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Background characteristics of cassava farmers in Ika North East LGA (N=75 38

Table 2: Perception of cassava farmers towards agricultural literacy 39

Table 3: Level of agricultural literacy of cassava farmers. 41

Table 4: Agricultural literacy needs of cassava farmers. 43

Table 5: Problem faced by cassava farmers towards agricultural literacy 45

Table 6: Level of agricultural literacy of male and female cassava farmers. 47

Table 7: Problems faced by male and female cassava farmers towards agricultural literacy 48