Use of ICTs as a Source of Information for Improving Agricultural Productivity in South-West, Nigeria

Toluwase S O W

doi:10.11648/j.ijae.20170203.11

Abstract

The study investigates respondent’s access to use of ICTs as a source of information for improving agricultural productivity. A well-structured questionnaire was used for data collection from the respondents. The specific objectives of the study that addressed Socio- economic characteristics, awareness of various ICTs, knowledge on ICT use and constraints facing ICT usage. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean. Inferential statistics such as Chi-Square was used to establish relationship. The results obtained revealed that family members constitute the major source of information to the famers in the study areas. This is followed by radio, mobile phone and internet while extension agents rarely provide information to the famers. Findings also revealed a high rate of competence in the use of mobile phones, radio, and television sets while respondents indicated low competence level in the use of video-conferencing and fax, the attitude of farmers has a significant level of effect on the productivity of farmers. Their attitude had a 10% level of significance on the productivity among others. Policy makers should try to make agricultural information readily available through mobile devices, since they were most commonly used and since most farmers did not have contact with extension agents; hence more extension agents should be engaged in order to reach the farmers adequately.

Highlights

Information and communication technology (ICT) is an incorporated system which entails use of computers and mobile telecommunication gadgets and television
From the table, the age distribution of the respondents which ranges from 40-60 years has the highest proportion (79.2%).This indicate that ICT users in the study area are mature people and will handle the different ICT medium properly if they are given the necessary enlightenment
The findings shows that majority of the respondents attended up to secondary school (36.7%), they are able to read and write which will make ICT usage easy to use by them

Summary

Introduction

Information and communication technology (ICT) is an incorporated system which entails use of computers and mobile telecommunication gadgets and television. Small scale farmers who dominate the landscape of developing countries need to improve farming by acquiring adequate knowledge and information [1]. Strong criticism of public agricultural extension services has circulated in recent years [3], this criticism is due to its topdown approach, which has been supply driven, technically weak, catering for only large scale farmers and providing insufficient coverage of the small scale farmers. This implies that proven agricultural technologies needed to ensure higher productivity and subsequently food security and effectively reach the small scale farmers scattered in rural areas. Agricultural extension which depends largely on exchange of information between and among farmers and a broad range of other actors in the agricultural sector is an area in which ICTs can have significant impact, researchers can relate directly with farmers through ICTs

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion