Use of radio as a tool for promoting integrated pest management among farmers in Shika, Kaduna State, Nigeria IJJMC Use of radio as a tool for promoting integrated pest management among farmers in Shika, Kaduna State, Nigeria *Israel Oguche *Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Email: oguche.israel@yahoo.com, Tel.: +2348069222599 This study took a look at the place of radio in the improvement of farming practices among the farmers in Shika community in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The focus of the study was the use of radio for sensitizing farmers on integrated pest management. The objectives of the study were; examining the importance of radio as a source of agricultural information to farmers in Shika, ascertaining the level of farmers’ awareness of chemical pest control and determining how Radio can be used as a communication channel for promoting chemical pest control among farmers in Shika. Survey research method was used for the study, while copies of structured questionnaire were administered to 60 respondents purposively selected and descriptive data analysis technique was used to present and analyze the data. The findings included the fact that people of Shika do not have requisite agricultural information needed for pest control hence, there is high rate of pest attacks on their farms, the radio stations in the area rarely broadcast issues related to pest control, while there is low extension attention to the community. Improved access to agricultural information on Radio, through the Hausa language could lead to pest control needed for improved agricultural productivity in Shika community. Keywords: Radio, agriculture, integrated pest management, Information, agricultural information, farmers. INTRODUCTION Over the years, radio has been at the forefront of farmer sensitization and enlightenment ranging from human capital development to improvement of agriculture in the rural areas. This development is not uncommon in the developing countries, where the majority of the population depend on radio for information in virtually all spheres of human endeavour (Nworgu, 2006). Part of the many roles of radio in the Nigerian society is the sensitization of farmers on pest control, fertilizer application, use of chemicals and the extent to which the chemicals can be used. Also, radio helps to alleviate the sufferings of farmers, who are considered information poor in the society. The extent of radio function, in this regards, is determined by the massive usage by the farmers. In other words, radio programmes are organized to include the farmers, in order to foster their relationship with other sectors of the economy (Feenstra, Jabbar, Masih and Janghir, 2000). The problem always faced by the farmers could be in the form of lack of access to basic information on the appropriate way to carry out a farming system. It should be noted that most Nigerian farmers live in the rural areas and as such, lack access to the other types of media channels. This has made agricultural and development experts to come up with the necessary tools for making their intentions known to the farmers. Radio becomes the best option. For decades now, radio has been a dominant source of information for farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Although International Journal of Journalism and Mass Communication Vol. 2(1), pp. 011-017, March, 2016. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 2143-2686 Research Article