Impact of Ashi waves FM ‘Tom Sule” Radio Programme on Agricultural Development in Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue State, Nigeria

Impact of Ashi waves FM ‘Tom Sule” Radio Programme on Agricultural Development in  Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue State, Nigeria
Review Article Agriculture

Abstract

Enhanced knowledge in agricultural production and food security is closely associated with access to timely and high-quality agricultural information. This study examines how the Tom Sule agricultural programme on Ashi Waves FM promotes agricultural development in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area(LGA),Benue State, Nigeria.  The study is anchored on The Development Media Theory, emphasizing the active role of farmers in seeking agricultural information through radio as a developmental tool for rural empowerment and agricultural advancement. A total of 346 participants were sampled and responded to a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that the programme's primary audience was predominantly male, married, and over 40 years old. The findings collectively suggest that enhancing the "Tom Sule" programme’s impact requires multiple strategic interventions. Increasing the volume and variety of content, ensuring reliable power supply, securing stakeholder support, and improving personnel training are all critical strategies. Prioritizing these interventions in alignment with audience needs and contextual constraints will likely lead to a more effective and influential programme. The findings → also reveal that the Tom Sule agricultural program enjoys widespread listenership and has positively influenced agricultural practices across the study area. Despite this, several challenges have limited the full use of the disseminated information. These include issues related to the → timing of the programme, insufficient resources, and the limited number of broadcast days, which affect its accessibility and impact. To maximise the programme’s impact, the scheduling should → prioritize evening broadcasts and tailor the content to align with the linguistic preferences of the majority that will foster greater understanding, facilitate practical application, and enhance the programme’s overall impact in supporting agricultural development in the study area. The study concludes that although radio remains the primary medium(65.9%) of the audience, infrastructural, linguistic, and educational challenges continue to impede the programme’s effectiveness in supporting agricultural development. Based on these findings, the study recommends a comprehensive review of the program’s content and schedule. Additionally, it calls for increased support from the government and stakeholders to enhance the program’s outreach and effectiveness in empowering farmers and fostering agricultural development in Benue State. 

Keywords

Agricultural Activities, Impact, Ashi Waves, FM Radio, Intervention

How to Cite

Marcus P.T. & Vitalis Selumun Tor (2025). Impact of Ashi waves FM ‘Tom Sule” Radio Programme on Agricultural Development in Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue State, Nigeria. SIAR-Global Journal of Engineering & Agricultural Review, Vol. 1, No. 1. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17870203

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Article Information

  • Type: Review Article
  • Journal: SIAR-Global Journal of Engineering & Agricultural Review
  • Subject Area: Agriculture
  • Published: December 9, 2025
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue: 1
  • Word Count: Not specified
  • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17870203
  • Processing Fee: $35.00 USD

About This Journal

SIAR-Global Journal of Engineering & Agricultural Review

The SIAR-Global Journal of Engineering & Agricultural Review (GJEAR) is an official publication of the Society of Innovative Academic Researchers …