Strategies to Enhance the Use of Drama in Agricultural Information Dissemination in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Research indicates that ineffective agricultural information delivery remains a critical gap between research outputs and sustainable agricultural development. Conventional communication channels have largely failed to bridge this gap. Although emerging evidence suggests that drama can be an effective medium, its application in agricultural extension has received limited attention. This study, therefore, examined strategies to enhance the use of drama in agricultural information dissemination in Imo State, Nigeria. The Specific objectives were to identify: farmers’ sources of agricultural information; possible constraints to the use of drama in agricultural information dissemination; and strategies to enhance interest in its use. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select one hundred and eighty (180) farmers. Data were analyzed using percentages and mean scores. Most farmers (73.3%) sourced agricultural information from the listed sources, but drama ranked 15th. The farmers considered a lack of knowledge about drama (M = 3.0), poor financial condition (M = 3.2), among others, as constraints to its use. The inclusion of the native language (M = 4.5), enquiring about the preferred time for the drama presentation (M = 4.3), among others, were accepted as enhancement strategies. The study recommends that extension agents and rural farmers be trained in the use and production of various forms of drama.