Abstract

The study was carried out to examine the extension agents perceptions of the information needs of women farmers in Oyo State Nigeria Data were obtained form 84 extension agents in the Oyo state Agricultural Development Programme Simple random sampling technique was employed in the selection of 84 extension agents in the state while structured interview schedule was adopted in the collection of information from the sampled respondents Data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution percentage and chi-square as analytical tool The mean age is 38 years The agents are of various educational backgrounds while majority 44 of them holds B Sc degrees and they specialized in different fields of agriculture The agents indicate different levels of information needs of women farmers in the study area Areas of information needs of women farmers as perceived by the agents include soil fertility management how to increase productivity use of machine farm implements record keepings and loan acquisition keeping family safe household maintenance controlling pests and education on hygienic conditions The agents also indicated different levels of agreement about the differences between the information needs of women farmers and their men counterparts Socio- economic characteristics of the agents significantly P 0 01 influenced their perceptions of women information needs The study concludes that the extension agents have developed in-depth knowledge of the information needs of women farmers and their perceptions are mostly shaped by their direct experience with women farmers Therefore extension agents contributions toward the designing of relevant and appropriate programmes for women farmers should be encouraged by the extension administrators