Information-Seeking Behavior and Utilization among Snail Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria:Implications for Sustainable Animal Production

摘要

The authors of this study examined the information-seeking behavior and utilization among snailfarmers in Oyo State with the view of improving animal production to achieve food andnutritional security. Simple random sampling was used to select one hundred and twenty respondents out ofthree hundred and sixty-five registered members in Oyo state. Interview schedule wasadministered to elicit information relating to socio-economic characteristics, informationseekingbehaviour and utilization among snail farmers and the constraints faced by the snailfarmers. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, mean, percentages, and correlation.Most of the respondents were literates. This factor increased their capacities for seekingand utilizing agricultural information. Lack of credit facilities and inadequate information fromextension agents were the major constraints identified by the farmers. There was a significantrelationship between the sources of information and information-seeking behavior of thesefarmers as well as the utilization of such information (r = - 0.261; pv = > 0.05). Significantrelationship also existed between constraints faced by the farmers and information-seekingbehavior and utilization by these farmers (r = - 0.23, pv = 0.01). Most of the respondents had high information-seeking behavior and utilization, whichimplies that farmers are willing to seek information that will improve their productivity. Effortsshould therefore be made to promote the information utilization of farmers through the extensionservices of agricultural development projects in order to facilitate the transfer of technology.This will enhance the productivity and income of snail farmers and subsequently improve theirstandard of living.