Version 1
: Received: 22 August 2020 / Approved: 25 August 2020 / Online: 25 August 2020 (05:01:42 CEST)
How to cite:
Nwafor, C.; Nwafor, I. Communication Networks used by Smallholder Livestock Farmers in Disease Outbreaks: Case Study of the Free State, South Africa. Preprints2020, 2020080539. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202008.0539.v1.
Nwafor, C.; Nwafor, I. Communication Networks used by Smallholder Livestock Farmers in Disease Outbreaks: Case Study of the Free State, South Africa. Preprints 2020, 2020080539. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202008.0539.v1.
Cite as:
Nwafor, C.; Nwafor, I. Communication Networks used by Smallholder Livestock Farmers in Disease Outbreaks: Case Study of the Free State, South Africa. Preprints2020, 2020080539. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202008.0539.v1.
Nwafor, C.; Nwafor, I. Communication Networks used by Smallholder Livestock Farmers in Disease Outbreaks: Case Study of the Free State, South Africa. Preprints 2020, 2020080539. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202008.0539.v1.
Abstract
Smallholder livestock farmers utilize their existing communication networks as information sources. This study explored these information sources, frequency of contacts and perceived usefulness of information from these sources. Using descriptive and correlation analysis, it categorized respondents according to total information score and explored the relationship between their scores and socio-economic characteristics. Findings show that 65% of farmers in the area scored a high reliance on fellow farmers and extension officials. Mass media sources such as radio and television scored low on perceived usefulness. The correlation coefficients for age (-0.228), farming experience (0.183), extension visits (0.002) and information contacts (0.214) were significant (p<0.05). Level of education (0.256), herd size (0.067) and perceived usefulness of information contacts (0.252) were also significant (p<0.01). Gender, household size, income, cooperative participation and access to financial services were not correlated to the total information scores of respondents. It was recommended that mass media sources in the area be supported by extension communication specialists to disseminate livestock-health related information.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
