ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to examine the impact of radio in farmers productivity in Calabar South local government area of Cross River State. It also sought to determine farmers motivational factors for listening to the programme, how it influence them and the extent of adoption of knowledge they gained from the programme. Survey research method was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to determine the respondents for this study. Structured questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection for the study. The Diffusion of Innovation Theory was adopted for the research. The population of the study was drawn from farmers in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. 399 questionnaire was administered out of which 388 copies were retrieved. Analysis of data was carried out quantitatively using the descriptive data analysis. Findings reveals that, the major motivational factors that make farmers to listen to Hit FM 95.9 in Calabar South are the agricultural innovations presented in the programme, interviews conducted, programme mode of presentation and the broadcast period of the programme. Findings further indicated that, majority of the farmers in the study area gained some knowledge out of the programmes aired which has greatly influenced the farmer’s agricultural practices. The study concludes that the programme has been successful in enhancing farmers knowledge in different areas of farming. Among the recommendations made in the study is that government should partner with both private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations in other to create an enabling environment for rural farmers to access loans, grant, facilities and other means of assistance that will help them apply the knowledge they gained on modern technology and innovations in their farming practice, which in turn will boost food production and alleviate poverty in rural communities.

Table of Content

Abstract

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Research Hypothesis

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Limitation of the Study

1.9 Definition of Terms

1.10 Organizations of the Study

Chapter Two: Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size Determination

3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure

3.5 Research Instrument and Administration

3.6 Method of Data Collection

3.7 Method of Data Analysis

3.8 Validity of the Study

3.9 Reliability of the Study

3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation

4.2 Analysis of Data

4.3 Answering Research Questions

4.4 Test Of Hypothesis

Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

References

APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

In every society we find ourselves, the need for the rules to reach out improve the standard of the ruled is imperative. The system must rely upon a regular two-way flow of information between the government and the citizens of the country, we have seen subsequent administration, be it military or civilian coming out with one programme or the other aimed at improving the standard of life that are found in the rural or communities areas, who obviously form the bulk of the Nigerian population.

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness that no nation can develop without deliberately undertaking the development of its community such development or transformation is however, possible only when the community population is various areas are participate in activities directed at their own development as well as the development of the nation, by the government.

The significant role of information in policy formulation cannot be over emphasized. This is because well cor-ordinated system of information dissemination brings about significant change in the society. There is no doubt that communication is as old as man himself is. It was through the effective nature of communication for example, Oputa J.S.C September, 20 1993 agreed with this when he said that “There is no doubt the mass media the press the radio and all these have a tremendous impact of our behavior modern man will readily agree that many of his attitudes, judgments and stance on various social or political issue are heavily influenced or even shaped by his exposure to ideas and suggestions, feed in him by the mass media”

To achieve the above task, the radio programmes instrument to the transformation of the general life of the people. The programmes must reflect the problems and aspirations of the society they serve.

Furthermore, the programmes which are intended to enhance the social awareness of the individual and faster national unity, cultural integration, must also make the individual an because “we see the mass media of communication as possessing that magical awareness, creating innovative, knowledge imparting empathy raising and knowledge and skill multiplying.

It is a well know fact that radio seeks to informs, stimulate, educate, entertain and mobilize the citizen for development and to cultivated responsible outlook on community and national activities. Radio has been recognized as having the potentials to effect human enhancement and develop a viable society, Radio is considered as a powerful medium of communication. It appeals to the two senses of hearing and sight. It promotes openness, accountability and transparency, the qualities which are essentials to social effectiveness both economic and political development. On the other hand, radio has been referred as a „theatre of the mind where imagination is activated by second voice and sound effect‟. To a larger section of the society, radio is the leading medium of mass communication people in community areas can receive radio messages from their sets. It is comparatively cheap when compared with other media of mass communication it is also portable and timely.

It is against this background that this work wants to find out the impact of Hit FM 95.9.

1.2. Statement of The Problem

This study is an enquiry into the contributions of Radio to community farmers productivity. The aim is to investigate the prevailing belief that the Radio is used as a means of introducing social change through dissemination of development and social change programmes but rather serve merely. It is a well-known fact that radio seeks to informs, stimulates, educate, entertain and mobilize the citizen for development and to cultivated responsible outlook on community and national activities. Radio has been recognized as having the potentials to effect human enhancement and develop a viable society, radio is considered as a powerful medium of communication. It appeals to the senses of hearing and sight. It promotes openness. Accountability and transparency, the qualities which are essentials to social effectiveness both economic and political development.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of radio on farmers productivity in Calabar South local government area of Cross River State.

The specific research objectives are:

a.         To determine the motivation for listening to Hit FM 95.9 by farmers in Calabar South.

b.        To examine the extent to which farmers in Calabar South utilize the agricultural messages aired on Hit FM 95.9.

c.         To examine the impact of Hit FM 95.9 on farming practices of farmers in Calabar South.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following questions;

a.         What are the motivational factors for listening to Hit FM 95.9?

b.        What extent do farmers in Calabar South utilize the agricultural messages aired on Hit FM 95.9?

c.         What is the impact of Hit FM 95.9 on farming practices in Calabar South?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: Radio has no significant impact on the productivity of farmers.

Ha: Radio has a significant impact on the productivity of farmers.

1.6. Significance of the Study

This study will emphasize and demonstrate the need for more development oriented programmes in the radio to enhance community Farmers productivity. The most interesting aspect of this study is that, it will be the first of its kind on Hit FM 95.9 since its establishment. Besides the work promises to be of immense, value students and teachers and institutions of higher learning who may wish to embark on as similar research work.

As a result, it will serve as reference materials upon which further research works can be based.

1.7. Scope of the Study

This study influence radio on Farmers productivity in Cross River State on Hit FM 95.9. The respondents for this study will be obtained from farmers in

1.8 Limitation Of The Study

This study was constrained by a number of factors which are as follows:

 just like any other research, ranging from unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, inability to get data.Financial constraint , was faced by the researcher ,in getting relevant material and  in printing and collation of questionnaires

Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher.

1.9. Definitions of Terms

The definitions of the terms were operationally defined:

Community:

Refers to a place of a large or small group geographical location, having low-density population and lacks infrastructural amenities such as good roads, electricity and pipe borne water. They can be isolated because of their poverty, physical, weakness and some people at the hierarchy design their lives.

A community operates little or no say in his social political and economic well-being.

Radio:

Can be defined as a type of radio service that caters to the interests of certain area broadcasting content that is popular to a local audience but which may often be over looked by commercial; or mass as a small radio were the community can listen and also to educate them, it can be informed, entertained and motivated.

Farmers Productivities:

This is to improve the standard of living for farmers for their extension. In a community agricultural has always been a highly knowledge intensive sector requiring continuous information.

Agriculture has improved different sectors such as farmers, fishermen, traders during cropping season specific advice is refereed on the full range of crops being grown locally timed to coincide the various stages of land preparation.

Development:

The concept of integrated development has to day received general acceptance and the word itself has come to connote different things to different people.

Development is a directed and widely participate process to deep and accelerated socio – political change geared towards producing substantial changes in the economy, the technology, ecology and the overall culture of the country so that the moral and material advancement of the majority of its population can be obtained within condition of generalized equality, dignity justice and liberty.

1.10 Organization Of The Studies

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the  review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study,  sample size determination,  sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Recommendations

More efforts should be intensified in providing more agricultural information to farmers through the mass media most especially during the resting hours of the evening and local community viewing centres should be established by government.

There is need for the establishment of a community based radio and television stations targeted on agricultural programmes to farmer, this will go along way in improving not only the quality of information but also its access.

The government should partner with both private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations in other to create an enabling environment for rural farmers to access loans, grant, facilities and other means of assistance that will help them apply the knowledge they gained on modern technology and innovations in their farming practice, which in turn will boost food production and alleviate poverty in rural communities.