Agricultural Information Use as Determinant of Farm Income of Women in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Agricultural information when provided and utilized improves practices, farm income, living conditions and agricultural development. In spite of the current agricultural extension services, income level of farm women is commonly described as low. This study adopted survey design, using multistage sampling technique and questionnaire to gather information from 500 women in Benue state. The study found out that agricultural extension agent, farmers’ union, and Agricultural Institutions, government projects, mobile phones and other farmers were major information sources consulted. On the overall, rural women’s use of agricultural information was slightly above average with information on market location and farm implements mostly used. Further, majority of rural women made considerably low farm income. Use of agricultural information had effect on rural women’s farm income. The study recommends provision of more productivity related information and need for Nigerian rural development strategies to reflect creation of enabling environment for farm income generation among women.

Keywords: Rural women, Agricultural Research Information utilization, Farm income, Benue state, Information.