A survey of farmers’ education and activities in Oyo West Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The low agricultural productivity level of farmers in Nigeria has been partly attributed to their low educational level relative to their counterparts in the developed nations. This study was therefore conducted to find out farmers’ education and their agricultural activities in Oyo–West Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State. Multi–stage sampling technique was adopted for the survey. The survey area was divided into two zones, and each zone divided into five quarters making 10 quarters in all, and a total of 100 questionnaires were administered. The data were processed and subjected to descriptive analysis using frequency count and simple percentages. From the results obtained, all the respondents had a minimum of primary education but 68% of them didn’t have formal training in agriculture. Also, the study revealed that 90% of the respondents were visited by extension agents on a yearly basis while 60% claimed extension services had positive effects on their farming activities. Also, 84% of the respondents claimed education enhanced access to finance, market and information. The paper concluded that education can make farmers better and take them out of subsistence agriculture. The paper then recommended well structured extension services by the use of mass media, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and adult literacy classes for uneducated farmers.

Keywords: farmers, education, farming activities, Oyo West LGA