Influence of Socio-economic Characteristics on the Use of Social Media in Accessing Agricultural Information among Poultry Farmers in Rural Areas, Delta State, Nigeria

The influence of socio-economic characteristics on social media usage in accessing agricultural information among poultry farmers in rural areas of Delta State, Nigeria was examined. Specifically, The study aimed to identify the types of social media platforms used, assess how frequently these platforms are utilized, evaluate its effects on poultry production, and analyze how socio-economic factors influences its uses in area under study. Primary data were gathered for the research. Findings revealed farmers having mean of 8 years of practice in the industry and have ₦59,658 as average earnings on a monthly basis. The average farm size was 2,658 birds. Notably, about 71.10% of the interviewees had no contact with agricultural extension services. Additionally, 61.22% of the producers frequently access poultry-related information through social media. The most commonly used platforms included Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. The study also found that using it had a beneficial effect on production. A multiple regression analysis, with an adjusted R² of 81%, indicated that factors such as education, household size, farm size, gender, farming experience, extension contact, and household income significantly affected its uses by poultry farmers. The study recommends raising awareness among farmers about the usefulness of digital platforms for agricultural information and encourages relevant government and aid agencies to integrate social media into their agricultural extension services