Content Analysis of Agricultural Information in Selected Nigerian Dailies: 2010 – 2014

This study was carried out to analyze the agricultural content of some selected newspapers in Nigeria between 2010 and 2014. The selected newspapers were National Mirror, Nigerian Tribune, The Nation, The Sun and Vanguard. Research findings revealed that the frequency of reportage of agricultural issues was highest (44) in The Sun newspaper. The Sun allocated more space (16,869.70 cm²) to agricultural issues. It was found that 95.14% of agricultural news were reported on other pages of newspapers beside the prominent pages, with only 4.32 % appearing on the front page and 0.54 % appearing on the back page. There was no significant difference in the frequency of reportage of agricultural issues across the selected newspapers (χ² =1.379), and there was also no significant difference in the volume of space allocated to agricultural issues by the newspapers (χ² =1.189). Based on the findings of the research, it was recommended that the frequency of reportage of agricultural issues be increased by publishers of newspapers, and the volume of space allocated to agricultural issues should also be increased. Agricultural issues should also be reported on the prominent pages of Nigerian newspapers.