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.