Utilization of WhatsApp Groups for Farmer Peer-Learning and Adoption of Improved Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Bayelsa State

Igoki; Weridongha Samuel

doi:10.56201/ijaes.vol.12.no10.2026.pg268.281

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Utilization of WhatsApp Groups for Farmer Peer-Learning and Adoption of Improved Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Bayelsa State

Igoki, Weridongha Samuel

Abstract

This study assessed the utilisation of WhatsApp groups for farmer peer-learning and the adoption of improved agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design using a mixed-methods approach. The population comprised smallholder farmers belonging to agricultural WhatsApp groups across the agricultural zones of Bayelsa State. A sample of 216 farmers was used for the quantitative analysis, while farmers, cooperative leaders, agricultural extension agents, and WhatsApp group administrators participated in the qualitative interviews. Data were collected using WhatsApp Group Utilisation, Farmer Peer-Learning and Improved Agricultural Practices Questionnaire (WGU-FPL-IAPQ) and a semi-structured interview guide. The questionnaire recorded an acceptable reliability coefficient. Quantitative data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings showed that agricultural information was exchanged at a marginally high extent, particularly information on planting periods, improved planting materials, seasonal changes, weather, flooding, and water management. Farmer participation was low and mainly passive, as farmers read agricultural messages more frequently than they asked questions, responded to other farmers, or shared personal experiences. Farmer peer-learning was also low, although farmers discussed common production problems and encouraged one another to adopt improved practices. The overall adoption of improved agricultural practices was low, despite relatively higher adoption of flood-management, harvesting, storage, and post-harvest practices. Qualitative findings identified flooding, poor connectivity, high data costs, limited digital literacy, inadequate transportation, high input costs, lack of credit, and irregular extension-agent participation as major constraints. The analysis revealed a significant but weak positive relationship between WhatsApp peer-learning and the adoption of improved agricultural practices. The study concludes that while WhatsApp bridges physical extension gaps in difficult terrains, its potential is limited by passive participation. It is recommended that extension agencies and cooperative administrators introduce structured, interactive prompts and subsidized digital tools to transition farmers from passive readers to active peer-learners.

Keywords

WhatsApp groupspeer-learningagricultural informationtechnology adoptionsmallholder farmersBayelsa State.

References

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Utilization of WhatsApp Groups for Farmer Peer-Learning and Adoption of Improved Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Bayelsa State

Abstract

Keywords

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