Factors Militating Against Effective Use of Information and Communication Technologies among Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

Transcription

1 Factors Militating Against Effective Use of Information and Communication Technologies among Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria 1 Mbah, E.N., 2 Mgbenka R.N and 3 Ezeano C.I, 1 Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria 2 Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 3 Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria Abstract: The study identified factors militating against effective use of Information and Communication Technologies among farmers in Benue state, Nigeria. Data were collected from a sample of 80 respondents using interview schedule/questionnaire. Frequency, percentage and mean scores were used for analyzing data collected for the study. Results show that the respondents were highly constrained on the use of ICTs by lack of confidence in operating ICTs facilities (M=2.8), poor finance (M=2.7), insufficient time for training on use of ICTs (M=2.6), lack of sufficient trained computer personnel (M=2.6), erratic and fluctuating power supply (M=2.6), lack of access to Internet in rural areas (M=2.5), high cost of ICTs (M=2.5), unaware of ICTs in agriculture (M=2.5), poor understanding of language used in ICTs application (M=2.5), technical language used in ICTs is incomprehensible to the farmers (M=2.5), inability to pay service charges for the use of electricity for computer, television and Internet (M=2.5), cost of maintenance charges (M=2.5), among others. Strategies for effective use of ICTs indicated by the respondents were providing quality agricultural information on radio, television, and Internet (M=2.0), expansion of ICTs training centers (M=1.8), making ICTs available in local languages (M=1.7), provision of Internet access to benefit farmers and the communities at large by service providers (M=1.7), making ICTs hardware more affordable (M=1.7), reduction in cost of ICTs (M=1.7), establishing rural ICTs kiosks (M=1.7), etc. There arises the need for adequate provision of physical infrastructure such as electricity in rural areas by the Nigerian government in order to attract service providers as well as promote effective use of ICTs by the farmers which will enhance agricultural development. Efforts of stakeholders involved in the development of ICTs are needed in considering the local content and languages in which the farmers operate for easy usage. Keywords: Information and Communication Technologies, agriculture, constraints, farmers, Nigeria. I. INTRODUCTION Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) refer to all information and communication systems and technologies inclusive not only of digital formats such as the Internet or the world wide web but also interfaces with radio, cable and television, video, cellular phones, and others (Hazelman and Flor, 2004). According to Uguru (2001), Information and Communication Technologies are sets of technologies that facilitate communication, processing, storage, retrieval and transmission of information by electronic means. It is the acquisition, production, transformation, storage and transfer of data or information electronically in forms such as vocal, pictorial, textual and numeric so as to facilitate interactions between people and machines. Farmers access to agricultural information is made available through the use of ICTs such as radio, video, television, print media (newsletters, bulletins, posters, etc), and Internet (Van Crowder and Fortier, 2000). CTA (2002) noted that small-scale farmers can obtain agricultural information through daily newspapers, radios, television sets, telephone mainlines, mobile telephones and the Internet. In many rural areas, radio is the only source of information about market prices for crops and thus the only defense against speculators. It is used in agricultural extension programmes, a vehicle for both formal and informal education, and plays an important role in the preservation of local language and culture (FAO, 2003). Agricultural Information and Communication Technology is not integrated with other development programmes to address the numerous related problems that face farmers. ICT is an essential ingredient in agricultural development programmes but small-scale farmers in Nigeria seldom feel the impact either because they have no access to such or because it is poorly disseminated. Most of the ICTs provided are exclusively focused on policy makers, researchers and those who manage policy decisions with less attention paid to the information needs of the targeted beneficiaries/farmers (Ozowa, 2000). Even though smallscale farmers accessibility to agricultural Information and Communication Technologies is often limited by unfavorable economic, socio-cultural and institutional conditions, they have achieved some level of efficiency through deployment of their indigenous knowledge, although sustainability remains a key problem. Farmers in Benue state, Nigeria face many challenges that are often complex and multi-faceted. According to Ajani and Agwu (2012), factors limiting the use of ICTs by farmers were cost of mobile phones, computer, television, high cost of airtime for mobile phones and inability to pay service charge for use of electricity for computer, Available Online@ 387

2 television and Internet. The cost of ICTs and maintenance by getting in close collaboration with the universities and charges are usually high and may not be affordable by the other research institutions. These organizations can build farmers thus limiting their use of ICTs as well as depriving and provide a common environment and infrastructure for them access to agricultural information provided through the farmers (Shaik, Jhamtam and Road 2004). such ICTs (FAO, 2003). Infrastructural problems such as The questions therefore are what are factors limiting the no electricity to charge phones, unavailability of business use of ICTs by respondents? What are strategies for centers for Internet, no access to computer, effective use of ICTs by respondents? and Internet, inability to open diskettes used for storing information, information on the computer are usually too The specific objectives of the study were to: tiny to read, information on video tapes cannot be stored i. ascertain factors limiting use of ICTs by for a long time, non-durability of electronic devices and respondents; and irregular supply of electricity will discourage service ii. identify strategies for effective use of ICTs by providers from establishing business centers in the rural respondents. areas where farmers can easily obtain agricultural information that will boast productivity (Ajani and Agwu, II. METHODOLOGY 2012). Ajani and Agwu (2012) reiterated that lack of knowledge of computer, and Internet usage, distance to business centers for and Internet, fear of computer, no time to use computer, poor network coverage for mobile phones, television and Internet and not literate to read information on computer are factors limiting effective use of ICTs among small scale-farmers. Morrow (2002) observed that farmers seldom have access to computer, sufficient telecommunication infrastructure and are not computer literate to interpret electronic text. Jones (1997) reported that hardware and software constraints are connectivity costs and inadequate ICTs skills limit the use of ICTs by farmers. According to Ajani and Agwu (2012), improving effective use of ICTs by farmers involves providing adequate training on the use of computer, and Internet, regular supply of electricity, adequate connectivity of Internet in rural communities, and delivery of agricultural information through appropriate communication channels. This will go a long way in helping farmers make effective use of ICTs for greater productivity. The Nigerian government should reorient its policies in order to harness the potentials of ICTs to contribute to agricultural development. There is a need to create awareness on agricultural uses of ICTs among the Nigerian government, other national stakeholders, and rural communities. The private sector ICTs providers should be encouraged to provide to rural areas where farmers are living (Ajani and Agwu, 2012). FAO (2003) reported that farmers can improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security when up-to-date information is provided using appropriate languages and formats and delivered through proper communication channels. Again, government should provide rural infrastructure for wide spread of agricultural information at the grass root levels. Public, private and non-governmental organizations should play more active roles in Information and Communication Technology education of the farmers The study was carried out in Benue state, Nigeria. The state derived its name from River Benue, the largest river in Nigeria. It was created on February 1976 along with six other states of the federation. Benue State has a total population of 4, million people (National Population Census (NPC), 2006). It is made up of 413,159 farm families. The State is bounded by Nasarawa State in the north, Taraba State in the east, Cross-River State in the south, Enugu State in south west, Ebonyi State in the south central, Kogi State in the west and in the south east by Cameroon republic. The State is administratively divided into three zones namely; Zone A (Eastern zone), Zone B (northern zone) and Zone C (Central zone). The predominant occupation of inhabitants of Benue state is farming with over 80 percent engaged in the occupation and highly noted for substantial cultivation of arable crops such as yam, cassava, rice, soybean, maize and other staples. Livestock especially small ruminants are reared extensively in the state. The main source of livelihood of the people is agriculture, hence the Food Basket of the Nation. The population for the study comprised farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. Zone C was selected for this study out of the three zones using simple random sampling technique. Two blocks (Apa and Agatu) out of nine blocks were selected purposively for the study because of proximity. Also, two circles were selected from each of the blocks using simple random sampling technique. A list of farmers in each of the circles was obtained from a key informant. Using the list provided, twenty (20) respondents were selected from each of the communities using simple random sampling technique. This gave a total of eighty (80) respondents used for the study. Data were collected using interview schedule/ questionnaire. Interview schedule was used for illiterate farmers, while questionnaire was used for literate farmers. The interview schedule/questionnaire was divided into two sections (A-B) based on the specific objectives of the study. Section A sought information on factors limiting use Available Online@ 388

3 of ICTs by the respondents. The respondents reacted to 27 and maintenance charges are usually high and may be constraint variables such as lack of confidence in operating unaffordable by farmers, thus limiting their use and ICTs facilities, insufficient time for training on use of depriving them access to agricultural information provided ICTs, lack of sufficient trained computer personnel, erratic through such ICTs. The finding is in agreement with a and fluctuating power supply, poor finance, lack of access study carried out by Morrow (2002) which stated that to Internet in rural areas, poor communication small-scale farmers seldom have access to computers or network, high cost of ICTs, among others using a four sufficient telecommunication infrastructure and are not point Likert-type scale of strongly agree (3), agree (2), computer literate to interpret electronic text. disagree (1), strongly disagree (0). The mean value of 1.5 Table 1: Mean scores of factors limiting effective use of was used to determine the major constraints. Section B was ICTs by the respondents centered on strategies for effective use of ICTs by the respondents. Respondents were asked to indicate among 14 Factors Mean possible strategies namely; providing quality agricultural score information on radio, television, and Internet, expansion of Lack of confidence in operating ICTs facilities 2.8 ICTs training centers, making ICTs available in local Insufficient time for training on use of ICTs 2.6 languages, provision of Internet access to benefit smallscale Lack of sufficient trained computer personnel 2.6 farmers and the communities at large by service Erratic and fluctuating power supply 2.6 providers, making ICTs hard ware more affordable, Poor finance 2.7 reduction in cost of ICTs, establishing rural ICTs kiosks, Lack of access to Internet service in rural 2.5 among others. This was achieved using a four-point Likerttype areas scale of strongly agree (3), agree (2), disagree (1) and Poor communication network 2.1 strongly disagree (0). The mean value of 1.5 was used to High cost of ICTs 2.5 determine the possible strategies. Descriptive statistics Unaware of ICTs in agriculture 2.5 such as frequency, percentage and mean scores were used Low level of access to ICT infrastructure 2.0 for data analysis. Phone operating system is complex making it 2.0 III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION challenging to send text and use data oriented A. Factors limiting effective use of ICTs by the respondents Major factors limiting effective use of ICTs include lack of confidence in operating ICTs facilities (M=2.8), poor finance (M=2.7), insufficient time for training on use of ICTs (M=2.6), lack of sufficient trained computer personnel (M=2.6), erratic and fluctuating power supply (M=2.6), lack of access to Internet in rural areas (M=2.5), high cost of ICTs (M=2.5), unaware of ICTs in agriculture (M=2.5), poor understanding of language use ICTs application (M=2.5), technical language used in ICTs is incomprehensible to the farmers (M=2.5), inability to pay service charges for the use of electricity for computer, television and Internet (M=2.5), cost of maintenance charges (M=2.5), no electricity to charge phones (M=2.4), no access to computer, s and Internet (M=2.4), inability to store information on video tapes for a long time (M=2.2) and poor communication network (M=2.1) (Table 1). Others include low level to ICTs infrastructure (M=2.0); phone operating systems is complex, making it challenging to send text and use data oriented (M=2.0), fear of computer (M=2.0), poor network coverage (M=1.9), distance to business centers (M=1.9); cost of mobile phones, computer and television (M=1.9), high cost of air Poor understanding of language used in ICT 2.5 application Technical language used in ICTs is 2.5 incomprehensible to the farmers Fear of computer 2.0 No time to use computer 1.3 Poor network coverage 1.9 Distance to business centres 1.9 Cost of mobile phone, computer and 1.9 television High cost of airtime for mobile phones 1.9 Inability to pay service charges for use of 2.5 electricity for computer, television and Internet Cost of maintenance charges 2.5 No electricity to charge phones 2.4 Unavailability of business centres for Internet 1.7 No access to computers, and Internet 2.4 Too tiny to read screen displays 1.6 Inability to store information on video tapes 2.2 for a long time Non- durability of electronic devices 1.6 Source: Field survey, 2015 time for mobile phones (M=1.9), unavailability of B. Strategies for effective use of ICTs by the respondents business centers for Internet (M=1.7), too tiny to read screen displays (M=1.6), among others. Cost of ICTs Available Online@ 389

4 Entries in Table 2 show the mean scores of strategies for Internet service effective use of ICTs by the farmers. These strategies Source: Field survey, 2015 indicated by the respondents include providing quality CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS agricultural information on radio, television, and Internet (M=2.0), expansion of ICTs training centers (M=1.8), making ICTs available in local languages (M=1.7), provision of Internet access to benefit farmers and the communities at large by service providers (M=1.7), making ICTs hardware more affordable (M=1.7), reduction in cost of ICTs (M=1.7), establishing rural ICTs kiosks (M=1.7), increased recognition by the government to provide electricity in rural areas to attract service providers (M=1.7), strengthening community radio (M=1.6), improving network coverage for mobile phones (M=1.6), integrating ICTs in all levels of education (M=1.5), providing adequate training on the use of computer, and Internet (M=1.5), cheaper service charges for Internet service (M=1.5), and nearness of business centers for e- mails and Internet service (M=1.5). The implication of these findings is that the strategies if considered will go a long way in helping farmers use ICTs effectively. It will ensure effective communication of agricultural research findings from extension agents to farmers. FAO (2003) reported that farmers can improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security when upto-date information is provided using appropriate languages and formats and delivered through proper communication channels. Table 2: Mean scores of strategies for effective use of ICTs by the respondents Strategies Mean score Expansion of ICTs training centres 1.8 Making ICTs hardware more affordable 1.7 Reduction in costs of ICTs 1.7 Establishing rural ICTs kiosks 1.7 Strengthening community radio 1.6 Integrating ICTs in all levels of education 1.5 Making ICTs available in local languages 1.7 Provision of Internet access to benefit farmers 1.7 and the communities at large by service providers Improving network coverage for mobile 1.6 phones Providing adequate training on the use of 1.5 computers, and Internet Providing quality agricultural information on 2.0 radio, television and Internet Cheaper service charges for Internet 1.5 Increased recognition by the government to 1.7 provide electricity in rural areas to attract service providers Nearness of business centres for s and 1.5 The study ascertained major factors limiting effective use of ICTs by the respondents to include lack of confidence in operating ICTs facilities; poor finance; insufficient time for training on use of ICTs; lack of sufficient trained computer personnel; erratic and fluctuating power supply; lack of access to Internet in rural areas; high cost of ICTs; unaware of ICTs in agriculture; poor understanding of language used in ICTs application; technical language used in ICTs is incomprehensible to the farmers; inability to pay service charges for the use of electricity for computer, television and Internet; cost of maintenance charges; no electricity to charge phones; no access to computer, e- mails and Internet; inability to store information on video tapes for a long time; poor communication network, among others. Several strategies for effective use of ICTs were highlighted which include providing quality agricultural information on radio, television, and Internet; expansion of ICTs training centers; making ICTs available in local languages; provision of Internet access to benefit farmers and the communities at large by service providers; making ICTs hardware more affordable; reduction in cost of ICTs; establishing rural ICTs kiosks; increased recognition by the government to provide electricity in rural areas to attract service providers; strengthening community radio; integrating ICTs in all levels of education; improving network coverage for mobile phones; providing adequate training on the use of computer, and Internet; cheaper service charges for Internet service, etc. The study therefore recommends adequate provision of physical infrastructure such as electricity in rural areas by the Nigerian government in order to attract service providers as well as promote effective use of ICTs by the farmers which will enhance agricultural development. Efforts of stakeholders involved in the development of ICTs are needed in considering the local content and languages in which the farmers operate for easy usage. References [1] Ajani E. N. and Agwu, A.E. (2012). Information and Communication Technology Needs of small-scale farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural and Food Information, vol. 13 (2), pp [2] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2003). The one to watch, radio, new ICTs and interactivity. Rome: FAO, p.57 and 105. [3] Hazelman, M. and Flor, A. G. (2004). Regional prospects and initiatives for bridging the rural digital divide. AFITA/WCCA joint congress in agriculture. Available Online@ 390

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