Proclivity to Use Reality Television Shows for Information on Climate-Smart Agriculture among Extension Professionals in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the proclivity to use Reality Television Shows (RTS) for disseminating information on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) in southwestern Nigeria.  One hundred and fifteen extension professionals were sampled using a multistage procedure. Information on extension professionals’ awareness of RTS, possible benefits and constraints, and the propensity for its use in disseminating information on climate-smart agriculture was elicited through a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation at  p = 0.05. Most (76.5%) of the extension professionals had heard of RTS, but only a few (3.4%) knew of any Nigerian television programmes that deployed RTS to promote agriculture. The RTS being a valuable channel for transferring climate research findings to the intended audience (1.40±1.35) was the most ranked benefit, while likely constraints to its were  unstable power supply (1.67±1.22), and lack of sponsorship (1.60±1.98). Most (61.7%) of the extension professionals had a favourable disposition to use RTS for information on CSA, while likely benefits (r = 0.295) positively linked with their inclination to use reality television shows for information on climate-responsive agriculture. Communication stakeholders and professionals are advised to explore the use of reality television shows in encouraging climate-smart agriculture