DIGITAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS AND COOPERATIVE CAPACITY BUILDING IN OYO STATE: ASSESSING THE IMPACT ON FARMER PARTICIPATION AND AGRICULTURAL FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY

To improve farmer engagement and financial sustainability, this study examines how digital media campaigns affect agricultural cooperatives in Oyo State, Nigeria. The agricultural sector of the state is beset by issues that impede productivity and rural economic stability, including fiscal inefficiencies, growing food inflation, and underperforming cooperatives. This study investigates how digital media may enhance financial transparency, governance, and communication in cooperatives using platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. According to data gathered from 400 cooperative farmers, digital media campaigns dramatically boost voting, meeting attendance, and membership participation. Digital tools also foster better cooperative governance, financial transparency, and financial literacy. Notwithstanding these encouraging results, the study notes certain difficulties, particularly about financial inclusion. Older farmers who have less access to technology face obstacles to their full involvement, and many farmers still have limited access to financing and subsidies. The study recommends boosting legislation to increase financial access, training all cooperative members in digital literacy, and growing digital media projects. Enhancing the sustainability and efficacy of agricultural cooperatives in Oyo State also requires investments in rural infrastructure, such as reasonably priced internet access, and improved cooperation among cooperatives, governmental entities, and digital platforms