EVALUATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs) IN THE DISSEMINATION OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION AMONG MAIZE FARMERS IN THE CENTRAL ZONE OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined information communication technologies (ICTs) in disseminating agricultural information among maize farmers in the central zone of Plateau State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting 120 respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that the majority (93%) of the farmers were aware of ICT, and use mobile phones (51%) for the dissemination of agricultural information. Access to a mobile phone, television and computer was significant, with mean scores of 3.20, 3.65 and 3.42, respectively. The results also showed that the farmers' socioeconomic characteristics correlate with their access to and use of ICTs for disseminating agricultural information at p<0.05 and p<0.1. Factors that influence the use of ICTs include income level, price of ICT gadgets, inadequate power supply, and flexibility, among others. The constraints to the access and use of ICT gadgets include the high cost of the gadgets, poor farmer supply and level of knowledge on the use of the ICTs. The farmers were aware of the use of ICT. However, they were constrained by factors in the access and use for dissemination of agricultural information. Farmers should exploit credit institutions around them for credit facilities to enable them to access and use ICT gadgets to help them get information on agricultural innovations.