EXTENSION WORKERS AND CATFISH FARMERS USE OF COMMUNICATION METHODS ON CATFISH FARMING IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study accessed extension workers and catfish farmers use of communication methods in Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study:to examine the socio-economic characteristics of catfish farmers and extension workers in the study area,identify communication method available for use by the agricultural extension workers and their level of accessibility by the fish farmers,describe the level of utilization the identified communication methods by the agricultural extension workers,analysed the effect of communication methods on fish farmers level of fish production and their living condition andidentify factors that constraints the use of communication methods among extension workers and fish farmers. Multiple sampling techniques was used to select respondents from all the three Agro-ecological zones which includes Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South. One hundred and twenty-eight (128) fish farmers and forty-nine (49) extension workers were randomly sampled using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentages mean and standard deviation while hypotheses testing was done with the ‘t- in logit regression model. The results show that about 80.5% of the fish farmers were males while 46.3% were between 41 and 50 years and a majority (85.2%) of the fish farmers were married. About 53.9% of the respondents were educated. The study further shows how often the fish farmers have access to extension services like fortnight (50.8%), monthly (25.8%), month interval (19.5%), yearly (3.9%). It was observed that fortnight meeting was the most perceived effect tool used by fish farmers in sourcing information. The hypothesis of the study implies that there is no significant difference in the use of the identified communication methods among the respondents (agricultural extension workers and fish farmers) The study recommends that extension agent should be provided with all the necessary extension services that would facilitate effective communication for improvement in service delivery to fish farmers and the end users.