Public Relations Strategies and Promotion of Agricultural Development and Food Security in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Agricultural development and food security are critical issues in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Effective public relations strategies can play a significant role in promoting agricultural development and enhancing food security. This study aimed to investigate the public relations strategies used in agricultural development and food security in Nasarawa State and evaluate the perception and awareness of farmers and other key actors regarding the importance of public relations in agricultural development. The theoretical frameworks used were the Agenda-Building Theory and Excellence Theory. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using questionnaires from 388 respondents. The findings revealed that media relations and partnerships with agricultural organizations were the most commonly used public relations strategies. The study also found that while many respondents viewed public relations in agricultural development as effective, there was still a need for ongoing evaluation and improvement of strategies. Based on the findings, the study concluded that public relations strategies are crucial in promoting agricultural development and food security in Nasarawa State. The study recommends that policymakers and organizations should leverage traditional and collaborative approaches such as media relations and partnerships to effectively disseminate information and foster sector-wide collaboration. Additionally, targeted outreach should be prioritized to better inform stakeholders, and ongoing evaluation and improvement of strategies should be implemented to ensure their effectiveness.