Impact of Information and Communication Technologies (Icts) On Agricultural Productivity among Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from Sub-Saharan African Communities (Published)
The study was carried out to assess the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among smallholder farmers in Northern Nigeria during October 2015 and September 2016 cropping season. Data were collected with structured questionnaires distributed to 200 smallholder farmers. The study used a multiple stage random sampling procedure to select farming household. Likert type scales were used to analyze the data. The main aim of the study was to find out the impact of ICTs on the agricultural productivity and welfare of the respondents. The t-test result revealed that ICT Services Short Message (SMS text reminders) had positive and significant impact (P<0.001**) on the agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers. The findings showed that 52% of the respondents experienced rapid increases in their crops productivity; and improved standard of living of the farmer as a result of the ICT Services Short Message (SMS text reminders). In addition, a large proportion (92%) of the respondents revealed that ICT Services Short Message (SMS text reminders) are beneficial to them. The results also revealed that radio, mobile phone and television among others were the most available ICT devices to the smallholder farmers in the area. However, the results obtained showed that radio and mobile phone were the most readily available ICT device with 97% and 85.8% respectively. The study however recommended that the Federal Government should create an enabling environment towards improved rural infrastructure and access to internet and other mobile communication technologies for rural people which would improve the overall use of ICT facilities. In addition, the Nigerian Government should establish ICT training centers in all the rural areas and educate farmers on the benefits of ICTs. Lastly, the study also suggested that there is a need for the development of ICT skills among agricultural extension workers and farmers in rural Nigeria
Keywords: Mobile Phone, Productivity, Radio, SMS text reminder, smallholders
Factors Influencing Radio Adoption Decision of Rice Farmers in the Dissemination of Agricultural Information in Zamfara State (Published)
This study examine the factors influencing radio adoption decision of rice farmers in the dissemination of agricultural information in Zamfara state. The research study applied agenda setting theory to show how selection of topics and packaging of agricultural content impact on rice farmer’s uptake of agricultural information. The research use a structured questionnaire to collect data for the study. A multi-stage, simple random and purposive sampling techniques were adopted to select a sample of 350 farm respondents. The data collected were analyzed using a descriptive statistics such frequency and percentage and logit regression analysis to estimate factors influencing radio adoption decision in knowledge sharing. The estimate shows that, age, farming experience, access to agricultural information via radio, association membership and gender are significant at 5%, 1% and 10% respectively. It is therefore recommended that, more radio stations should be develop and should also partner with agriculture institutions to overcome challenges that both side experience
Keywords: Adoption, Agriculture, Decision, Factors, Information, Radio, Rice Farmers, dissemination, influencing
THE ROLE OF FARMERS SOCIAL NETWORKS AND RURAL RADIO IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN OWERRI WEST AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA. (Published)
The study was aimed at analyzing and ascertaining the role of farmers social networks and rural radio in climate change adaptation in Owerri West Area of Imo-State. The specific objectives were to (a) describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondent farmers in the study area, (b) ascertain farmers awareness of climate change, (c) describe the effects of climate change on agricultural activities of the respondents, (d) identify the various social networks in the study area and (e) identify roles of various social networks and radio in farmers adaptation to climate change. A simple random sampling method was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) farmers for the study. Frequency distribution percentages and mean were used in the analysis of data collected. Results of the study showed that majority of the respondents (76.7%) were males with a mean age of 53years. Results indicate that all the respondents were very much aware of climate change. Farmers also ascertain high rainfall, flooding, decrease in crop yield, erosion, storage losses and hot temperature (hot heat) as their observation due to effects of climate change. Social networks include cooperatives, age grades, town unions and religious groups etc. Some recommendations include: (a) Education of farmers about climate change and their modern adaptation measures which could be achieved by organizing seminars, conferences and programmes on climate change regular for them. (b) Government should link and collaborate with the farmers organization (social networks), research institutions and meteorological centres that will help in order to access information, design appropriate and affordable adaptation measures to climate change.
Keywords: Adaptation, Climate Change, Farmers, Radio, Rural, Social Networks