Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which radio broadcasting has helped farmers in North Central Nigeria in the diffusion and adoption of agricultural innovations, especially, genetically modified crops. Employing the survey research method and based on a population of 679,867 farming households in the study area, a sample of 400 respondents was polled using the Taro Yamane’s formula for sample size determination. The study made use of the questionnaire which received a Crombach’s Alpha reliability coefficient of rii-728. Anchored on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, the study found that awareness and acceptance of genetically modified crop by farmers in the study area are still on the average. The study concluded that radio stations in the area are doing well in the diffusion of genetically modified innovation in crop production, even though there are certain challenges that require attention in order to ensure more effectiveness in attaining the desired objective. The implication of this is that radio should not be the only medium for agricultural innovations diffusion to farmers, but television and other channels of communication such agricultural extension workers, opinion leaders, traditional rulers and even religious leaders could be useful in ensuring greater diffusion and adoption of this novel farming technology.

Key Words: Radio Broadcasting, Diffusion, Adoption, Innovation, Crop Production, Genetic Modification.

About the Authors

*      Daniel Onwuamaeze Okoro is a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Nigeria where he served as the first Coordinator. He is currently a doctoral student of Broadcasting and Media Studies at the Department of Mass Communication, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria. His areas of research interest are broadcast journalism, photojournalism, international political communication and citizen journalism.

**    Moses Ter Akase, Ph.D., is a Professor of Media and Society in the Department of Mass Communication, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria where he is also the Coordinator of the Lincoln University of Malaysia Mass Communication Programme. His areas of specializations include; social science research development communication and media and society.

***  Samuel Kaior Akpede, Ph.D., is a Professor of Broadcasting and Media Studies at the Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria. He is equally its first Head of Department. His research interests and specializations include, Public Relations and Advertising and Development Communication. 

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 16, No. 1, April 2024, pp.  166-178

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Okoro, O. O., Akase, M. T. & Akpede, S. K.  (2024). Role of radio broadcasting in the diffusion and adoption of genetically modified crops by farmers in North-Central Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 16 (1): 166-178.

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