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
