Awareness and use of agricultural market information among small scale farmers in Ngaka Modiri Molema District of North West Province

The study determined awareness and use of agricultural market information among small scale farmers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District in the North West Province. Simple random sampling techniques was used to select 120 farmers from the population of study and data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire and subjected to analysis using frequencies, percentage and multiple regression analysis. The results of the study show that majority of farmers were between the age category of 51-60 years, married (58.8%); Christians (80.7%), males (56.3%), married (58.8%) and had studied up to high school level (47.1%). The results also shows that agricultural market information provides farmers with knowledge of the prices of the produce, provides knowledge of who to buy the produce, the quantity to be produce and knowledge of different outlets such as fruit and vegetables, respectively with 67.2% and 66.4%. Farmers have indicated that they are aware of agricultural market information and they use radio with 68.9% and newspaper with 68.1% respectively. Significant determinant of use of agricultural market information were knowledge (t=6.464) and awareness (t=6.963). [Balarane A and Oladele OI. Awareness and use of agricultural market information among small scale farmers in Ngaka Modiri Molema District of North West Province. Life Sci J 2012;9(3):57-62]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 8