Eco-linguistics strategies for promoting rural literacy among farming households and farm families in Southeast, Nigeria

Paper Details

Research Paper 17/06/2026
Views (201)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Eco-linguistics strategies for promoting rural literacy among farming households and farm families in Southeast, Nigeria

N. F. Nwulu*, F. U. Nnamani, C. R. Ayozie, C. F. Obumneke, B. N. Igbokwe, C. I. Ahumaraeze, U. A. Agwuocha, M. A. C. Osuji, F. O. Egwim, K. U. Chukwu, G. O. Mbarah, N. Emeka-Duru, C. F. Nlemchukwu, C. M. Okwara, J. U. Chikaire
Int. J. Biosci. 28(6), 128-140, June 2026.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2026; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

This paper explores eco-linguistics strategies for promoting rural literacy among farming households and farm families in Southeast Nigeria. A total of 250 rural farmers were randomly selected for the study. Questionnaires on oral interviews were used to collect data for the study. Percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that 36% of respondents were within the age range of 18–30 years, 56% were males, 70% were women, 22% had no formal education, and 22% had primary education. Farming (68%) is the major occupation. (50%) of respondents had a household size of 6–10 dependents, and 52% had spent1-10 years of farming experience. On literacy levels, 26% cannot read or write, (59.6%) can read in local languages, (52%) also can write in local languages. The voice of indigenous languages is a promoting rural literacy include; enhancing of understanding learning materials (77.6%), facilitates faster learning and retention (74%), presence cultural knowledge and values (71.6%). The eco-linguistic strategies identified include the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction (92%), use of folk cores, song and oral traditions (96%), use of visual aids (92%), use of visual aids (95.2%), use of mother-tongue (78%),  storytelling (83.6%), among others.

Adegbija E. 2004. Language policy and planning in Nigeria. Current Issues in Language Planning 5(3), 181–246.

Aker JC. 2011. Dial “A” for agriculture: A review of information and communication technologies for agricultural extension in developing countries. Agricultural Economics 42(6), 631–647.

Alexander R, Stibbe A. 2014. From the analysis of ecological discourse to the ecological analysis of discourse. Language Sciences 41, 104–110.

Apeh CC. 2018. Farmers’ perception of the health effects of agrochemicals in Southeast Nigeria. Reviews on Environmental Health 33(3), 219–227. https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2017-0035

Aroh JA. 2019. Gender disparity and rural education participation in Southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Rural Development 11(2), 45–57.

Bamgbose A. 2017. Language and the Nation: The Language Question in Sub-Saharan Africa. Edinburgh University Press.

Benedict IO, Wilson E, Ugwu CN, Ibe CB. 2024. Investing in rural agriculture in the face of innovative financial services: Does financial literacy matter in Nigeria? SAGE Open 14(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241244685

Crystal D. 2010. Language Death. Cambridge University Press.

Cummins J. 2000. Language, Power and Pedagogy: Bilingual Children in the Crossfire. Multilingual Matters.

Emejulu G, Chukwu VA. 2020. Indigenous language communication and agricultural extension service delivery in rural Nigeria. Journal of Rural and Community Development 15(2), 77–91.

Eze SO, Orebiyi JS. 2018. Educational status and adoption of agricultural innovations among rural farmers in Southeast Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension 22(1), 89–101.

Fidelugwuowo UB. 2020. Knowledge and skills for accessing agricultural information by rural farmers in South-East Nigeria. Information Development 37(2), 255–267. https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035220951837

Fill A, Penz H. 2018. The Routledge Handbook of Ecolinguistics. Routledge.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2019. Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Report. FAO, Rome, Italy.

Freire P. 1970. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Continuum.

Maffi L, Woodley E. 2010. Biocultural Diversity Conservation: A Global Sourcebook. Earthscan.

Mühlhäusler P. 2003. Language of Environment, Environment of Language: A Course in Ecolinguistics. Battlebridge Publications.

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). 2021. Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and National Literacy Statistics Report. National Bureau of Statistics, Abuja, Nigeria.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o. 2018. Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature. East African Educational Publishers.

Ogunniyi A, Kehinde O. 2021. Digital literacy and agricultural transformation among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. African Journal of Information Systems 13(4), 233–247.

Okeke CC, Nwankwo CU, Obi PN. 2020. Educational attainment and technology adoption among rural farmers in Southeastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Economics 10(3), 66–78.

Ouane A, Glanz C. 2010. Why and How Africa Should Invest in African Languages and Multilingual Education. UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.

Rogers A. 2013. The Base of the Iceberg: Informal Learning and Its Impact on Formal and Non-Formal Learning. Barbara Budrich Publishers.

Stibbe A. 2015. Ecolinguistics: Language, Ecology and the Stories We Live By. Routledge.

Stibbe A. 2021. Ecolinguistics: Language, Ecology and the Stories We Live By. 2nd ed. Routledge.

UNESCO. 2017. Literacy Rates Continue to Rise from One Generation to the Next. UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

UNESCO. 2020. Global Education Monitoring Report 2020: Inclusion and Education. UNESCO, Paris, France.

UNESCO. 2021. World Report on Literacy and Indigenous Languages. UNESCO, Paris, France.

Related Articles

Bioefficacy testing of indigenous plant-based biopesticides against green leafhopper (GLH) of rice

Diosa G. Alasaas*, Angelina T. Gonzales, Ricardo Casauay, Mayflor D. Compra, Int. J. Biosci. 29(1), 237-246, July 2026.

Effects of supplementary irrigation, organic and mineral fertilizers on the agrophysiological performance of three varieties of millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br.) in Burkina Faso

Hadara Nomba Ouedraogo*, Ahmed Traore, Ouènian Zibihako, Adama Pascal Kihindo, Int. J. Biosci. 29(1), 200-210, July 2026.

Physico-chemical composition and phytochemical screening of cocoa mass purchased commercially in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

Attoh Hyacinthe Anon*, Hermann Fourier Atta Anno, Nyamien Yves Bleouh Jean, Fagbohoun Jean Bedel, Kouassi kouame Henri Joel, Patrice Lucien Kouamé, Int. J. Biosci. 29(1), 188-199, July 2026.

Survey of swine diseases and treatment approaches in Korhogo subprefecture, northern of Côte d’Ivoire

Kouhana Soro*, Ghislaine Sègbédji Théodora Atchade, Koffi Jules Gossé, Nea Yves Noma, Assanvo Simon-Pierre N’guetta, Int. J. Biosci. 29(1), 171-179, July 2026.

Length-weight relationship and population structure of pool barb (Puntius sophore) from Jashore, Bangladesh

Md. Almamun Farid*, Abu Shale Md. Nasim, Int. J. Biosci. 29(1), 160-170, July 2026.