ANALYSIS OF UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) AMONG CASSAVA FARMERS IN ANIOCHA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) is a major instrument of communication with implications for innovation adoption among farming households. This paper examines the utilization of ICTs in obtaining innovation information among cassava farmers in Aniocha LGA of Delta State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics, identify the ICT accessed ,determine the extent of use of the ICTs and estimate the factors limiting the access and usage of ICT by cassava farmers in the study area. Data were collected from 120 farmers using multi-stage sampling procedure. Analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The findings showed that majority (79.2 %) of the respondents were female and married (67.5%). The major ICT used by the farmers were radio and mobile phones. Major factors limiting the farmers use of ICT included lack of technical know-how (x̄ = 3.54), high cost of modern ICTs (x̄= 3.41), inadequate training (x̄= 3.38) and lack of awareness (x̄ = 3.21). Correlation results showed a significant association between the age (r = -0.466**), level of educational (r = 0.363**) and family size (r = -0.535**) of respondents and their utilization of ICT gadgets. To increase cassava production and enhanced food security, the farmers should be encouraged to use ICT to source for innovation information. Also, modern ICT gadgets should be made available to cassava farmers at affordable prices and cassava farmers should be encouraged and trained in the use of available ICT gadgets to obtain valuable agricultural innovation information.