Abstract
The study examined the Adoption and Utilization of ICT through Farmers.Ng Technology in Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of 86 respondents were used for the study; which were farmers who are registered with the company (farmers.ng) in Ondo state which were selected through Multi-stage sampling procedure. The socio-economic characteristics respondents revealed that majority (73%) of them were male. The mean age of the farmers was 51 years. Most (77%) of them were married, majority (69%) were Christians, a substantial majority (48%) had primary education, 62% of the respondents engaged in farming as their primary occupation and 61% had no secondary occupation. The average monthly income of the respondents was ₦58209; the average household size was 5 and 59% of the respondents were members of crop societies. The results of the hypotheses indicated that there was significant relationship between the socioeconomic characteristics and the adoption of the market solution technology. It also showed that there was significant relationship between the attitude of the respondents and the utilization of the market technology. Study recommends that the use of ICT should be facilitated amongst farmers by national governments and development partners to facilitate sharing of agricultural related information, knowledge and experiences.
Highlights
Poor access to markets and marketing information has made rural farmers vulnerable to exploitation by off takers in the chain
Results from Table below show that 11% of the respondents’ monthly income was less than ₦30,000 while another 11% earned between ₦31000 and ₦40,000 per month. 22% earned between ₦41,000-₦50,000, 21% earned between ₦51,000-₦60000, 16% earned between ₦61,000₦70,000, 16% earned between ₦71,000-₦80,000 and 19% of the respondents earned above ₦80000
Eighty (80%) indicated that the price is not favourable for them to make more profit, this may be due to the little difference in the profit margin they get from their local sale and sale through the technology, only 15% had control of the pricing of the platform and majority (69%) of the respondents had no control over the pricing of the platform because the produce to the farmers. organization sent the prospective selling price of farm
Summary
Poor access to markets and marketing information has made rural farmers vulnerable to exploitation by off takers in the chain. Farmers’ markets access is limited by costs (in terms of time and resources), lack of information and poor knowledge of marketing. The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is one approach to linking smallholder farmers to markets. ICTs (especially mobile phones) link farmers to markets and provide them with current market information. NGOs and farmers’ organizations may get involved in linking farmers to markets and in helping them to use current technologies in their farming activities [12]. Availability of agricultural information and effective use in imperfect markets can be considered as a merit good. It will make market segments more contestable and it will make farmers more eager to develop commercial activities if the information is adapted to their needs. The existence and timely use of reliable information on prices, quality, supply and market demand conditions contribute to ensuring a better market environment and to balance the capacities of the various actors [2]
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