Analysis of Factors Affecting Accessibility of Information Communication Technologies Among Cassava Farmers in Obubra Local Government Area Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)
This study investigates the factors influencing the accessibility of ICT tools among cassava farmers in Obubra Local Government Area, Cross River State. Specifically, it describes the socio-economic factors of the cassava farmers, identifies the available ICT tools to cassava farmers, determines the accessibility of the available ICT among farmers, examines how cassava farmers perceive the adoption of ICT tools and identify the challenges faced by cassava farmers in adopting ICT tools in cassava production. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. Results on socio-economic characteristics revealed a predominantly female (55.56%), literate (90%), and married (64.81%) group with an average age of 46, had an average of 27 years of cassava farming experience, engaged in small-scale farming (1.8 hectares), and had an average annual income of N484,000. Principal ICT tools included radio, mobile phones, television, computers, and the Internet. Mobile phones (94.44%), television (89.81%), and radio (77.78%) were reported as the most accessible tools. The rejection of the null hypothesis indicated farmers perceived ICT tool adoption as relevant. Challenges included high costs, inadequate knowledge, limited awareness, internet-related issues, power supply, low education levels, language barriers, and distrust of technology. Recommendations include targeted training, improved connectivity, and power supply.
Keywords: Cross River State, Information & Communication Technologies, Nigeria, Obubra, cassava farmers
Determinants of Saving Behaviour of Rural Cocoa Farmers in Ikom Agricultural Zone, Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)
The main concern of this study was to ascertain the determinants of saving behaviour of rural cocoa farmers in Ikom Agricultural Zone of Cross River State. The specific objectives of the study were to; ascertain the methods of saving used by rural cocoa farmers in the area; examine the effectiveness of the saving methods used and, ascertain the variables that determine rural cocoa farmers’ saving behaviour. The study adopted a survey design, the population of the study comprised all registered cocoa farmers in the area. Two extension blocks (Etung and Ikom) were purposively selected for the study, and from the blocks, six communities were selected from each blocks, and three (300) hundred respondents were randomly sampled for the study. The result of analysis revealed that, rural farmers save money using their homes, boxes, holes, clay pots, cooperative and keeping in bams and with relatives etc. it was also observed that investing in project, buying of assets, bams and cooperative etc. were the most effective saving methods used by the farmers. The study found that the saving behaviour of rural cocoa farmers was determined by their age, education, marital status and income among others. The study therefore, recommended among other things, robust rural banking reforms to improve rural farmers savings.
Keywords: Cross River State, Ikom agricultural zone, Nigeria, rural cocoa farmers, saving behaviour