Influence of Information Sources on Farmers’ Usage of Livestock Drugs and Vaccines in Isin Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

This research work was carried out to examine the influence of information sources on farmers’ usage of livestock drugs and vaccines in Isin Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. This research was guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM). Three research questions and one hypothesis were raised to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was employed. Study population comprised 110 livestock farmers in the LGA. Yamane Sampling formula was used to sample 86 farmers. Questionnaire titled “Influence of Information Sources on Farmers’ Usage of Livestock Drugs and Vaccines Questionnaire, (IISFULDVQ, α = .795) was used for data collection. Data was analysed using frequency, percentages and Pearson product moment correlation. Results showed majority of the farmers (50.4%) have good usage of livestock drugs and vaccines whereas 49.6% have poor usage of livestock drugs and vaccines; major sources of information for farmers on livestock drugs and vaccines are researchers/consultants such as veterinary doctors (75.6%) followed by fellow farmers (70.9%) followed by internet (68.6%) and radio (61.2%), seminars/workshops (62.8%) and books (55.8%). Lastly, information sources such as researchers/consultants such as veterinary doctors (r = .332, p<0.05), internet (r = .322, p<0.05), fellow farmers (r = .320, p<0.05), seminars and workshops (r = .312, p<0.05), family/friends (r = .306, p<0.05), extension services (r = .302, p<0.05) and books (r = .300, P<0.05), all have positive significant relationship with farmers’ usage of livestock drugs and vaccines. It was concluded that information sources significantly influence farmers’ use of livestock drugs and vaccines. It was recommended amongst others that farmers should be given more access to information to improve their use of livestock drugs and vaccines.