Disseminating agricultural information services to farmers for attaining food security in zombwe extension planning areas (EPA) Mzuzu agricultural development division (MZADD) Mzimba, Malawi

Abstract

This study investigated the dissemination of agricultural information services to farmers for attaining food security. The study applied a survey research methodology. To have an in-depth understanding of the study area two methods were used in order to gather primary data and information. These included semi-structured questionnaires and personal interviews. Questionnaires were administered face to face to eighty five (85) farmers in the study area. The findings showed that farmers had information needs related to growing a variety of crops and rearing of livestock, fertilizer application methods, pesticides use, planting method and storage method among others. Findings also showed that the main sources of information were radios, posters and agricultural extension officers. The study revealed that farmers experienced challenges in accessing agricultural information due to the fact that, agricultural information on radio and television is always aired at odd hours when farmers who desire such information have gone to their farms; illiteracy level; lack of awareness of information sources and lack of extension workers. The study recommends that adequate funding should be made to libraries so that they can improve the quality of agricultural information resources; qualified librarians should be recruited within agriculture sector; librarians should identify relevant information sources suitable to farmers; libraries should provide unique attention to targeted group of information beneficiaries with a focus on their identified information needs; more extension officers should be recruited, trained and deployed in the rural areas in order to effectively cover the larger area; public and private media houses should broadcast agricultural programmes at appropriate and convenient times for farmers; the Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) in collaboration with the National Library Service should establish Information Centres or Telecentres in rural areas. These should be stocked with relevant and current agricultural information resources in vernacular languages to meet the needs of farmers; librarians in the country should make useful agricultural