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. 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 lack of knowledge on drama (M=3.0), poor financial condition (M = 3.2), among others, as constraints to its use. Inclusion of native language (M = 4.5), enquiring preferred time for drama presentation (M = 4.3), among others were accepted as enhancement strategies. The study recommends that extension agents and rural farmers should be trained on the use and production of different mediums of drama.