SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING THE UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs) AMONG CASSAVA FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study analysed the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among cassava farmers in Abia state, Nigeria. A random sampling technique was adopted to select a total of 120 farmers for the study in 2019 using questionnaire and focus group discussion (FGD). Both descriptive (frequency, percentages and 5 point Likert-scale) and inferential statistics (probit regression model) were used in analyzing the data. Major results showed that the socio-economic characteristics of the cassava farmers have a lot of bearing in their utilization of ICTs in the study area. The result on cassava farmers awareness of ICTs in the study area indicated that majority (95.8%) of the farmers were aware of mobile phones, 61.7% were aware of computers, while, 9.2% and 1.7% were aware of internet and e-mail respectively. The result on the level of utilization of ICTs among the cassava farmers was low with a grand mean level of ( = 2.4). The result of Probit regression analysis on factors influencing cassava farmers’ use of ICTs in Abia State, revealed that coefficients of age, marital status, education level, farming experience, farm income and access to credit were positive and significant at varied alpha levels respectively, while, gender, farm size and occupation were negative and significant at 10% alpha  level. Major constraints faced by farmers for using ICTs in the study area were, lack of electricity supply, (88.3%), skill gap and illiteracy, (84.2%) and high cost of ICT facilities, (70%). The study concluded that there was low utilization of ICT facilities in the study area by cassava farmers. The study therefore, recommended for regular power supply, ICT facilities should be installed very close to the farmers especially in rural areas to decrease the transaction cost of using ICTs facilities experienced by cassava farmers, Campaign programmes on importance of ICTs and reduction of high cost of ICTs and accessories should be embarked upon in rural areas to enhance people interest and accessibility to ICT facilities and there is need to encourage the formation of cooperative societies among farmers to enhance information on utilization of ICTs in the state.