ABSTRACT

This research study was carried out to asses mass media (newspaper) use by farmers and extension agents in Abia- State. The specific objectives were: to assess farmers and extension agents' information seeing habit, access and use of newspaper. - to compare readership habits of farmers' with those of the other professionals and - based on the findings to recommend appropriate strategies for enhancing farmers and extension agents' use of newspaper. Data were collected through oral interview and questionnaire, distributed to 120 farmers, 80 for extension agents and 20 other professionals who were randomly selected. Percentages, mean and frequency distributing were used in data analysis. Use of Newspapers by Farmers and extension agents was found to be limited. Several factors that constraint farmers effective use of newspaper were identified and they include-lack of fund; time constraint, lack of interest, lack of education. To enhance newspaper use by farmers and extension agents' in Abia State, it is suggested that farmers should be encourage by providing them with loan to enhance their purchasing power as well as access roads to ease movement by news vendors. Adult literacy campaign should be intensified to improve on the educational status of farmers so as to help them read and understand messages present in print media such as newspaper.