Radio Broadcasting and Agricultural Development in Obosi Town of Anambra State
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER ONE
Content
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of the problems
1.3 Purpose of the study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of Study
1.7 Scope and Delimitation
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definitions of terms
COMMUNITY RADIO BROADCASTING AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
The research is thrust to examine community radio broadcasting and agricultural development of Obosi town in Anambra State. Findings show that the success of agricultural development in rural community largely depends on the nature and extent of use of mass media in mobilization of people for development. The planners in developing countries realize that the development of agriculture could be hastened with the effective use of mass media. Findings show that the people of Obosi local government are having access to at least 3-4 television stations. However, the researcher adopted survey method in carrying out this research with 120 administered questionnaires to the selected respondents with six major communities in Obosi local government area. It was recommended that broadcast media should design and dedicate some airtime to agricultural programmes and should be aired at appropriate time with adequate time enable farmer easy access.
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
The success of agricultural development programmes in developing countries largely depends on the nature and extent of use of mass media in mobilization of people for agricultural development. Radio and television have been acclaimed to be the most effective media for diffusing the scientific knowledge to the masses in respect of agric program. In Nigeria, the literacy level is low, the choice of communication media is of vital importance. In this regard radio is significant, as they transfer modern agricultural process and planning to the literate and illiterate farmers alike even in interior or rural areas obosi within short time.
Radio is so useful because of it characteristics that give it ample edge over other mass media, such as: portability, sending signal to remote place, easy to operate, cost effective, can even be enjoyed while working on the farm.
Radio broadcast enlighten farmers on the use of various technologies and materials to boost agricultural development. At present, there are about more than 50 community radio stations in Nigeria both private and public, Abiola (2010).
The farmers can easily understand the operations, technology and instruction through radio because the instructions and other related messages are disseminated in local languages. There is no doubt the mass media, particularly radio has a tremendous influence on our behavior because it informs, stimulates, educates, entertains and mobilizes the citizen for development and to cultivated responsible outlook on community and national activities.
Radio has been recognized as having the potentials to effect human enhancement and develop a viable society.
Similarly, community radio is a type of radio service that caters for the interests of a certain area, broadcasting content that is popular to a local audience but which may often be overlooked by commercial or mass-media broadcasters. (UNESCO 2002)
Community radio is confined to a small geographical area. It depends on low power transmission covering not more than 20-30 km. radius. It serves a community which uses common resources for livelihood, has common development issues and concerns, which are relatively localized, nevertheless connected to national and regional development goals.
Community radio is a vibrant community broadcasting system to enhance pluralism and diversity. It is a truly people’s radio that perceives listeners not only as receivers and consumers, but also as active citizens and creative producers of media content.
Community radio is distinguished by three essential principles. Non profit making, community ownership and management and community participation. Community radio is also characteristics by its limited local reach, low power transmission and programming content that reflects the educational developmental and socio-cultural needs of the specific community it serves. For the purpose of community radio, a community is defined as a non-sectarian group of individuals who are traditionally bound and share a common socio-economic and cultural interest.
National Broadcasting Commission perceives Community Broadcasting as a non-profit, grassroots public broadcasting service through which community members are able to contribute and foster civic responsibility and integration. It provides platform for members of the community to serve their communal, developmental, economic, social and cultural objectives (Nigeria Broadcasting Code, 4th Edition, 2006) cited in National Broadcasting Commission (2009).
Similarly, the commission recognizes community broadcasting as broadcasting which is for, by and about the community; and whose ownership and management are representative of the community.
It primarily pursues a social development agenda. Community broadcast station exists basically to serve the underserved or marginalized community. The establishment of community broadcasting service will provide voices to numerous communities hitherto voiceless. It also provides access and disseminates information vital to the attainment of development goals i.e. the MDGs. (Nigeria Broadcasting Code, 4th Edition, 2006) cited in National Broadcasting Commission (2009).
It is against this backdrop that the research examines the role of community radio broadcasting and agricultural development of Obosi town in Anambra state with a view to examine the extent at which community radio has helped in promoting agricultural and rural economy.
