Information needs and seeking behaviour of cocoa farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study investigated information needs and seeking behaviour of cocoa farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to examine different types of crops grown by cocoa farmers, information needs and sources of seeking information, the degree of preference of various sources sought by cocoa farmers and challenges faced. The study used descriptive research design with quantitative approaches. One hundred cocoa farmers were purposively selected from 3 major cocoa producing local governments across the state. A set of questionnaire were distributed to them of which seventy-seven (77%) were returned and analysed using descriptive analysis of frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation. The results of the analysis revealed that cocoa farmers in Cross River state intercrop cassava, maize, oranges, and potatoes with cocoa. Also, the farmers indicated that information on new varieties of seeds and seedling, agro chemicals, credit facilities and improving new cocoa and Information on record keeping were needed by them. Their major sources of information were farmers groups, friends’ family and radio. The challenges faced by them were information that were not easily accessible, lack of electricity to listen to television and radio as well as inadequate finance to purchase data. Finally, recommendations were made that governments should ensure adequate provision of fertilizer, agrochemicals, pest and diseases control, agricultural finance, improved seedling, post-harvest technology and modern technology application for farmers to meet up with their needs for sustainable agricultural development.