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 PAGEi
TITLE PAGEii
CERTIFICATIONiii
DEDICATIONiv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSv
LIST OF TABLESix
ABSTRACTx
CHAPTER ONE1
INTRODUCTION1
Background of the study1
Statement of the problem8
Purpose of the study9
Research Questions10
Hypotheses of the study11
Significance of the study11
Scope and Limitation of the study12
CHAPTER TWO13
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE13
Agriculture13
Meaning of Literacy15
Agricultural Literacy17
Cassava (Manihot esculata)21
CHAPTER THREE31
RESEARCH METHOD AND PROCEDURES31
Research Design31
Population of the Study32
Sample and Sampling Techniques32
Research Instrument33
Validity of the Instrument34
Reliability of the Instrument35
Method of Data Collection35
Method of Data Analysis36
CHAPTER FOUR37
PRESENTATION OF DATA, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION37
4.1 Testing of Hypotheses46
4.2 Discussion of Findings48
CHAPTER FIVE54
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION54
5.1 Summary54
5.2 Major findings55
5.3 Conclusion56
5.4Recommendations57
5.5Suggestions for Further Research58
REFERENCES59
APPENDIX I67
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Background characteristics of cassava farmers in Ika North East LGA (N=7538
Table 2: Perception of cassava farmers towards agricultural literacy39
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 literacy45
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 literacy48
