ABSTRACT
This work examines the access and use of information communication technologies (ICT) among rural farmers in Enugu State. It is the contention of this study that there is a lacuna between access and usage of ICT among the rural farmers in Enugu state and generally in Nigeria. This study applauds the impact of ICT in enhancing the agricultural productivity in Nigeria especially as it concerns the rural communities. However, this work is designed to ascertain types of ICTs available to the farmers in rural area of Enugu state, determine the farmers’ level of access to ICTs, determine the level of usage of ICTs by farmers, determine the extent to which these ICTs have been perceived to be effective in information dissemination to rural farmers; and identify the persuaded challenges to effective use of ICTs among the rural farmers. In the methodology, data were collected mainly from secondary and primary sources and the work was designed to cover the three agricultural zones in Enugu state namely; Enugu-North, Enugu-East, and Enugu-West zones. In each of these agricultural zones, one local government was sampled out. In Enugu-North zone we sampled out Nsukka, Enugu-West zone we sampled Awgu, while in Enugu-East zone we sample out Isi-Uzo. Forty farmers were selected from each of the above named local governments making a total of 120 farmers. In the measurement of variables focus was drawn on the respondents’ sex, age, marital status, educational qualification, years spent to acquire formal education, years of farming experiences, primary occupation. The use of Pearson correlation coefficient at 0.05 level was adopted to analyze the data. Results of the study showed that a high proportion (38%) of the respondents were within the age bracket of 40-49 years and their mean age was 46 years. Majority (67%) of the respondents were males. Most of the rural farmers (97.3%) were married. A good proportion (23.3%) of the farmers had WAEC as their highest educational qualification. The average year of working experience was 21 years. Also, majority (56.3%) of the respondents had farming as their primary occupation. The findings also revealed that most of the farmers were aware of radio, television, mobile phone and video CD players, while few others were aware of the other ICT tools. Most of these ICT tools were not available to farmers however many of them had radio, mobile phone, television and video CD player. It was evident from the study that many of the farmers had access to radio, television and mobile phone but most of the other modern ICTs were not accessible to them. It was also found that these ICT tools that were accessible were often being used by farmers and were perceived to be very effective in obtaining information, and communicating effectively among the farmers. The
major constraints that hindered the use of ICT by farmers were epileptic power supply (M=2.73), poor finance (M=2.54), High cost of ICT infrastructure (M=2.30), Lack of connectivity to access (M=2.23), Lack of adequate awareness (M=2.22), and Government policies (M=2.18), etc.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background information
Growth in agricultural production in some developing countries has been slow despite the various stages of structural transformation by different countries in the world. Efforts are being made to overcome this situation by disseminating information about improved agricultural technologies directly to farm people. In this regard, Mohammed and Wanaso (1993) noted that knowledge and information are important factors for accelerating agricultural development by increasing agricultural production and improving marketing and distribution. Several studies have shown that a variety of information sources are needed for disseminating farm information and that there are variations in the extension sources (Omenesa 1992; Moemeka 1990).
According to the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) (2003), information communication technology (ICT) refers to all information and communication systems and technologies that facilitate communication and the processing and transmission of information by electronic means. Heeks (1999) defines ICT as electronic device for capturing, processing, storing and communicating information. ICTs can enhance the integration and efficiency of agricultural system by opening new communication pathways and reducing transaction cost, given greater accessibility of information on price, transportation and production.
Technologies, including ICT are rapidly transforming the face of agriculture in industrialized countries. Most activities in the agricultural market place are now mediated by web linked data based specifying prices, qualities and quantities demanded (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2004). ICTs have reduced the cost and increased the spread of communication. It is no longer something that appears only in organizations’ wish list, but a well structured one to be used as a backbone to enable organization to
deliver services effectively and efficiently. ICT has witnessed an upsurge in recent years in almost all areas of rural life in several African countries despite the problem of accessibility, connectivity and literacy (CTA, 2003).
Agriculture, which depends largely on information exchange between researchers, extension workers and farmers, is an area which ICT is known to have significant impact. ICTs application can be used to transmit information directly to farmers and the farming communities, for example ICT can be applied to handle agricultural issues such as water utilization and management, pest control, harvest management etc. The emerging trend in information and communication technologies presents opportunities to improve rural farmers’ participation in farming. ICTs applications are also useful in facilitating development programmes in many countries. These technologies help in supporting economic and social development (Mansell and When, 1998).
Majority of rural farmers depend entirely on agriculture at various levels for livelihood. However, disease, pests, soil degradation and other factors such as lack of market for easily perishable crops have greatly affected the total national incomes and subsequently the standard of living of people in rural communities. Access to accurate and timely information by rural farmers can result in enhanced economic and social development. Access to information as prescribed in government strategies requires cheap and fast dissemination of information to farmers. However, in the rural areas, limited resources, including limited telecommunications and energy infrastructure, have contributed to slow implementation of such government initiatives.
All stakeholders of agricultural industry need information and knowledge to manage different phases of agriculture efficiently. These main areas of agriculture industry include crop cultivation, water management, fertilizer application, pest management, harvesting, post harvest handling, transporting of food products, packaging, food preservation and
processing, food quality and safety management, food storage and marketing
(www.wapedia.mobi/en/ict) Rural farmers play important roles in rural development, participating heavily in food production and bearing nearly the total responsibility for processing and distribution. They are also responsible for most local crops distribution from farming centers to urban areas all over the countries.
Rural farmers as stakeholders in agriculture development confront problems of crop production and management, animal health, fishing and aquaculture, natural resources crisis and disaster management but as they operate today, lack of information on development and dissemination process posit certain treats to their livelihood. An unexpected potential exists for application of ICTs in this wide range of endeavours that farmers undertake in rural areas.
1.2 Problem statement
The expansion of the Internet in developing world is occurring at a very rapid pace. Government has recognized the Internet as an important tool that can be used in the fight against poverty, disease and environmental degradation but developing agencies have been neglecting the expansion of telecommunications beyond the urban areas (Zijp, 1994). More reliable and accurate information and knowledge have become useful assets for development and makes people and organization to be effective and efficient thereby alleviating or eradicating poverty (Duncobe, 2001).
In agriculture, easier and faster access to up-to-date market and price information assists farmers and rural based traders in their business. Telecommunications can also deliver better access to information on improved seeds, availability of fertilizers and weather forecasting, pest control and other agricultural related services. ICT Sector reform has promoted large-scale investment in telecommunications infrastructure in African
countries, which in turn promotes the expansion and modernization of fixed networks (Fall, 2006).
Despite the investment and government driven telecommunication development programmes the supply of phones and Internet services in rural and remote areas are still hampered by under investment and lack of electricity (CTA, 2003). In Nigeria today, there are more than 500 registered computer companies, 200 of which are under the umbrella of the Micro-computer Association of Nigeria but the awareness of the potentials of these computers and their relevance to our national development and well being is just emerging (Omotayo, 2005). Presently, the number of registered computer companies under the umbrella of the Micro-computer Association of Nigeria has rise to 300,000 (VCONNECT,
2012).
The fate of agriculture is highly dependent on the effort of the rural farmers. A lot of communication media have been in use such as town criers, wooden gong, oral announcement and other media of communication that can no longer stand the test of time as a result of technological development with the increasing population of the society (Norrish, 2001). A lot of ICTs have been developed in recent years, which include phone, internet services, radio and television but the major ICTs used in agricultural extension delivery in Nigeria have been radio and television (Arokoyo, 2003).
These ICTs are increasingly being used especially in the urban areas. The urban bias in connectivity thus deprives farmers of the universal right to communicate while they make up the majority of people in rural areas of developing countries and play a central role in agriculture (FAO, 1998). However, in rural areas, there seem to be low access to ICTs considering the absence of ICTs facilities in most of the Nigerian rural areas. In other words, the gap of the accessibility to ICTs between the urban and rural areas has become worrisome. In some cases, rural dwellers that may possess ICTs such as phone set, radio, television, DVD, etc. may still not have full access to use them effectively due to poor state of ICT facilities like electricity.
Adimorah (1990) stressed that, “our information services are still elitist, serving only 20% of the educated elite group while 80% illiterate rural dwellers wallow in information deprivation. According to Obijiofor, Inayatuallah and Stevenson (2009), preliminary research on ICT adoption in African and Asia Pacific suggests that there are obvious barriers to their use in educational and socio-economic development such as: issue of infrastructure support access to the ICTs, training and skills development and hierarchical socio-relations, which determine who has access to ICTs. According to Munyua (2000), weak-linkages between researchers, frontline extension workers and farmers have been a major constraint that has resulted in research findings not being applied by poor rural farmers, though some extension agents and farmers now have computers for information and data management. The ability to connect to the Internet is still very poor affecting access to information and the ability to connect to farmers.
It has become critical to encourage the development of relevant content for experts to come up with services that address the needs of the rural farmers. Many of the rural farmers lack or have limited access to the resources and services required to facilitate the use of ICT for the transformation of lives of rural people despite their importance in ensuring stable food supply in the country. As the rural farmers get in contact with their urban counterparts who have the enabling resources and services to make use of ICT, the need for these rural farmers to have access to these ICT becomes inevitable if they are to remain relevant in the current competitive society.
The question therefore is: What types of ICTs are available to farmers in Enugu
State? Are they adequately utilized by the farmers? What are the possible factors militating
against their effective usage? And what are the perceived benefits of their use in the study area?
1.3 Purpose of the study
The general purpose of the study was to ascertain the access and use of information communication technologies (ICTs) among the rural farmers in Enugu State.
Specifically, the study was designed to:
1. ascertain types of ICTs available to the farmers in rural area of Enugu State;
2. determine the farmers’ level of access to ICTs;
3. determine the level of usage of ICTs by farmers;
4. determine the extent to which these ICTs have been perceived to be effective in information dissemination to rural farmers.
5. identify the perceived challenges to the effective use of ICTs among the rural farmers.
1.4 Hypothesis
The socio-economic characteristics of farmers have no significant relationship with the usage of ICTs in agriculture.
1.5 Significance of the study
The more communicative individuals and organization are, the more innovative and successful they will be. This study will create awareness to farmers on the role of ICTs in agriculture. Farmers will benefit from the study as it will lead to their empowerment, increased productivity and improved standard of living thereby creating some sense of satisfaction in their rural activities.
Information from this study will also enable the government to recognize, facilitate and support the development and use of ICTs in rural development programmes in the state. The study is considered important in the sense that major constraints militating against effective use of ICTs among rural farmers will be identified and therefore appropriate recommendations made. Besides, the study will help in formulating a future strategy for the
realization and sustenance of ICTs in Nigeria agriculture. The findings will also serve as a reference material for other researchers who may be willing to conduct similar research in the future.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
ACCESS AND USE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG RURAL FARMERS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
A1Project Hub Support Team Are Always (24/7) Online To Help You With Your Project
Chat Us on WhatsApp » 09063590000
DO YOU NEED CLARIFICATION? CALL OUR HELP DESK:
09063590000 (Country Code: +234)
YOU CAN REACH OUR SUPPORT TEAM VIA MAIL: [email protected]
09063590000 (Country Code: +234)
