ABSTRACT

The study evaluated the effectiveness of communication channels in utilization of cassava-based technologies in South-East agro- ecological zone of Nigeria. Imo and • Akwa-Ibom States were purposively selected for the’ study. Imo State is made up of three agricultural zones of Okigwe, Owerri and Orlu. There are six agricultural zones were chosen from Imo State namely, Okigwe and Owerri zones, and three from Akwa-Ibom State which are Ikot-Ekpene, Etinan and Oron zones. Six communities from each zone - Umulolo, Mbaa and Obowu were selected from Okigwe zone and Emekuku, Mbaitoli and Aboh- Mbaise were selected from Owerri zone in Imo state, while Ikot Ewang, Mbiaso, Ekpene Ukpa, Ikot Ikpuho, Okopedi and Ekeya were selected from Ikot Epene, Etinan and Oron zones respectively in Akwa' Ibom State. Seven hundred and forty respondents constituted the sample size for the study, with 445 respondents drawn from Akwa Ibom state and 295 respondents from Imo state. Descriptive statistics like percentages, frequency count, tables and inferential statistics like Pearson’s product correlation coefficient and path analysis model were used in the data analysis. The findings revealed that extension agents were the most credible agricultural information source but not as accessible as fellow farmers. The males and 57.6% were females. Most respondents were between the age brackets of 41-50 years, 62.7% were married, while 58.8% had between 10-20 years farming experience. In addition, 84.6% of the respondents had formal education, 45.9% of the respondents were within an income range of N13,000.00 - N16,000.00 per annum, 87% of the respondents were members of co operative societies and 72% had access to credit. Furthermore, respondents had more perceived extension agents as being the most as the most preferred conununication channel fellow fanners/neighbours were the most effective communication channel with mean of 3.04 and ranked lsl while in Akwa Ibom State, the radio was the'most effective and ranked 1st. In Imo state, 56.6% had moderate knowledge of cassava-based technologies while 41.3% had high knowledge of cassava-based technologies in Akwa Ibom state. The path analysis of respondents KAP level on utilization of cassava-based technology, showed eight significant path of factors that influence the KAP level offarmers in utilization of cassava-based technologies. Fellow farmers had direct and maximum effect (r = -.428) on KAP level as a communication variable, while extension agents (r = .404) as a socio-economic factor also had a direct effect elder constituted the most available and accessible traditional communication channels. Correlation analysis of socio-economic characteristics of farmers, information sources and communication channels revealed that there were positive significant relationships in utilization of cassava based technology in the south east zone. xiv ranked 1st. Respondents from the zone on KAP level. Fellow farmer/neighbours, village square meetings and community credible information sources with relative credibility index (RCI) of 0.591832 and ranked 1st. Furthermore, fellow farmers/neighbour was access to fellow farmers as agricultural information source with a mean of 2.16.