CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are new technologies that

cannot be ignored in Africa especially for development in all sector agriculture
inclusive. This is because, ICT is one of the main driving forces that can bring
about development and change in this present digital age. It was in the light of this
that Emenari (2004) noted that, the great transformation in the lives of the people
especially in the developing countries depends on advances ICTs. The rapid
development of ICTs continues to have major influence on the livelihood of people
across the world. Social research has shown that, adoption of ICTs can be a major
fuel for economic and community development in rural areas (Osiakade et al.,
2010). As noted by Onwubalili (2004), “the tremendous changes are quite glaring
in every facet of our lives and touches simplest of domestic services to corporate
and limitless industrial applications”.

ICTs such as Internet could create and meet demands which satisfies human and
corporate needs at all times and levels (Nwajinka, 2004). Infact, ICTs are what
rural dwellers need to climb to the heights developed continent had reached. The
recent development in ICT has broken national and international barriers and
turned the world into a global village, making information available to everyone,
everywhere and at any time it is needed (Onasanya et al., 2011). Then one could
ask what is ICT?

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO (1993) ICTs was
defined as those technologies used in collecting, processing, storing, retrieving,
disseminating, and implementing data and information using microelectronics,
optics, and telecommunication and computers.

Broadly, the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA, 2003)
defined ICTs as those technologies that facilitate communication and the
processing and transmission of information by electronic means for the benefits of
its users. Odame et al. (2002) and Arokoyo (2005) stated that, ICTs covered a wide
range of equipment and services. In agricultural extension, the ICTs used include:
radio, television fixed and mobile phones, short message services (SMS), world
wide web (www), search engines, packet digital assistants, cameras, video, e-mail,
computer, contact data bases and systems, CD-Rom, DVD, rural radio and web
publishing to mention a few.

Agriculture is an important sector with the majority of the rural population in

developing countries depending directly or indirectly on it (Diao et al., 2007). The
sector faces major challenges of enhancing production in a situation of dwindling
natural resources necessary for production. The growing demand for agricultural
products especially cassava, however, also offers opportunities for producers to
sustain and improve their livelihoods. ICT play an important role in addressing
these challenges and uplifting the livelihoods of the rural poor (ITU, 2009).

The role of ICT to enhance food security and support rural livelihoods is
increasingly recognized and was officially endorsed at the World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS) in 2005. These include the use of computers, internet,
geographical information systems (GIS), mobile phones, as well as traditional
media such as radio and television. Although it is a relatively new phenomenon,
evidence of the contribution of ICT to agricultural development and poverty
alleviation is becoming increasingly available.
Since 1998, international institute for communication and development (IICD) has
been involved in projects and policy trajectories and consistently monitor the
progress and impact of the use of ICT in most of the developing countries. Increase
in efficiency, productivity and sustainability of small scale farms is an area where
ICT have been making a significant contribution in agricultural sector (IICD,
2007). According to Olajubu et al. (2006) and Sepehrdoust and Khodaee (2012)
opined that, ICT have great impact on productivity, product differentiation,
competitive advantage, effective communication and employment opportunity in
many productive sectors of the economy. Due to these, developing countries
should maximize the potentials of ICT for immense development purposes
agriculture inclusive. Generally, agriculture is an information intensive industry.
The sector draws upon infinite sources of widely dispersed, locally contextualized
knowledge and considerable body of research materials. It also relies upon
continuous flow of information from local, regional and world markets.

A major challenge to agricultural development in Nigeria and other African

countries have been the low level of agricultural information exchange among the
different stakeholders in the agricultural sector (Agwu and Uchemba, 2004). This
is due to limited access to current and relevant information in the form of primary
documents and machine readable databases as well as poor documentation, storage
and retrieval techniques. Gelb and Offer (2005) assert that many studies have
shown the continued need for information by farmers and farm communities, thus
necessitating continued improvement in ways and means of providing the
extension support that farmers and communities require and demand.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Agricultural production of Nigeria has been largely dependent on the combined

efforts of the farmers, most (70%) of whom are resident in rural areas. Ogungbile
andOlukosi (1991) outlined the characteristics of resource-poor farmers which are
stillprevalent today. For example, they are beset with stark poverty,
illiteracy,malnourishment, financial inadequacies and low rate of returns on
investment. They lack financial resources to practice or engage effectively in
agriculture and inflationary tendencies that cripple the output of those who even
dare the consequences.

The rural farmers who should be given adequate attention and support in terms of
input supply (e.g. fertilizers, seeds, chemicals etc), and indeed information on
relevant agricultural technologies are not adequately assisted and informed and
could not adopt the up-to-date technologies. Even when informed, they are beset
with confusing and late information (Arokoyo, 2003; Arokoyo, 2005 and Adekoya,
2006). Hence, the expected performance level of the rural farmers has not been
realized making the nation’s desire to achieve agricultural transformation a mirage.
Consequently, the nation’s goal in providing food security and self-sufficiency has
not been attained.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study focuses on adoption of Information and

Communication Technology (ICT) by farmers in Afikpo North L.G.A. of Ebonyi
state, Nigeria.

Specific objectives of this study are to:

1. Describe the socio-economic characteristics and perceptions of Farmers in

Afikpo North L.G.A.;

2. Determine the level of awareness of and the accessibility of ICTs by Farmers in

Afikpo North L.G.A.;
3. Examine the extent of usage of ICTs by Farmers in Afikpo North L.G.A. for
their work;

4. Determine the relationships between Farmers’ characteristics and their influence

on usage of ICTs in Afikpo North L.G.A.

5. Determine the effects of Farmers’ usage of ICTs on their work; and

6. Identify problems encountered by Farmers in Afikpo North L.G.A. in using

ICTs.

1.4 Research Questions

The pertinent research questions this study addressed were the following;

1. What are the socio-economic characteristics and perceptions of Farmers in

Afikpo North L.G.A. on ICT?

2. What are the levels of awareness and accessibility on ICT by Farmers in Afikpo
North L.G.A.?

3. What is the usage level of ICT by Farmers in Afikpo North L.G.A.?

4. Are there relationships between the characteristics of Farmers in Afikpo North

L.G.A. and their influence on usage of ICT ?

5. What are the effects of ICT usage to Farmers in Afikpo North L.G.A.?

6. What are the problems encountered by Farmers in Afikpo North L.G.A. in using
ICT?

1.5 Research hypothesis

The null hypothesis set for this study is stated as follows:

H0: There is no significant influence of the Farmers’ characteristics on ICT usage
in Afikpo North L.G.A.

1.6 Justification of the Study

This study has found its justification on a number of reasons. These are outlined as
follows:

1. Information generated from the study would be of immense value to policy

planners in the area of planning. It is essentially fundamental that policyissues
related to the use and application of ICT will be made available tothe people for
public knowledge.

2. Various stakeholders in agricultural extension would derive benefits from the

findings of this study. For example, the extension agents would know their status
on ICT usage, the farmers would be able identify the ICTs they can use for their
benefits, the researchers and research institutes would be able to identify research
areas to explore, the educational systems would settargets for training and
curriculum design, ICT providers would know their ICT users and areas for
marketing potentials, and finally, donor agencies (e.g. Non-governmental
Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), would be able to
get those areas where they could make intervention in terms of ICT usage.

3. The need for a study to be premised on the theory of Social Change with
particular reference to ICT as a basis for development is illustrated through this
study. Consequently, this study derived its model based on the well proved theory
of social change. The study developed a model that shows relationship between
ICT usage and those factors responsible for them.

4. There is the general notion that Farmers in Afikpo North L.G.A. are
ruralworkers by virtue of their location, working places and activities.

Generally, they are regarded as people not conversant to issues connectedwith high
technology like the ICT devices. Therefore, the study attempted to unveil the status
of Farmers in Afikpo North L.G.A. with particular respect to ICT usage in the rural
enclaves of agricultural setting.

5. Even though a lot of information on ICT is available in the literature, and

internet, there is still glaring lack of access to them. The data generated through
this study would be given analysis using various statistics tools like descriptive and
regression and correlation. In this connection, findings of this study would provide
base line reference point for future studies.
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Concept of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)

ICTs play a significant role in social and economic development in developing

countrieswhere interconnectivities and information flows can be established
between communitiesand the more developed regions. In this context, ICTs can be
defined as tools that aid in thecommunication between people by capturing,
processing, storing and communicatinginformation electronically, as well as
services and applications that assist in the managementof information (Heeks,
1999).

ICTs include electronic networks embodying complex hardware and software

linked bya vast array of technical protocols (Mansel& Silverstone, 1996). ICTs
cover internet serviceproviders, telecommunications equipment and services,
information technology equipmentand services, media and broadcasting, libraries
and documentation centers, commercialinformation providers, network – based
information services and other related informationand communication activities
(Economic Commission for Africa [ECA], 1999).

ICTs encompass technologies that can process different kinds of information

(voice,video, audio, text and data) and facilitate different forms of communications
among humanand information systems. They are about capturing, storing,
processing, sharing, displaying,protecting and managing information Chowdhury
(2000).

Information and Communication Technologies in agriculture can be broadly

classifiedinto two groups namely; low and high equipment. Mechanism such as
projectors, telephones,radio and television set are examples of low ICT (hardware).
It also includes the associatedsoftware or materials such as films, slides, tapes,
pictures, transparences, radio and programme. High ICT consists of various means
of obtaining and transferring information using computers and micro-electronics
(Ozor&Madukwe, 2004). Hobday (1995) pointed outthat whereas hardware refers
to the physical equipment, software involves two components:

• The technological know – how to operate, expand and maintain technology and

• The organizational skills needed for planning the structure to long term
management ofthe technology

Information and communication technologies can also be grouped into broadcast

technology,print technologies and computer/ micro electronic technology. Print
technology includes printmedia such as newspapers, magazines, bulletins, posters,
calendars of work, newsletters,leaflets, pamphlets. Broadcast technology refers to
the broadcast media such as radio,television, cinemas, media vans etc. The
computer based technologies andtelecommunication include telephones, computer,
fax, email, CD- Rom, GeographicalInformation System (GIS) and the internet.

2.2 Types of ICTs used in Agriculture

According to Holmes (2004), ICTs are tools that facilitate sharing information and
foster communication. ICTs include both new and traditional Information and
Communication Technologies although there is often an emphasis on the new
personal computers, the internet, World Wide Web, mobile phones, satellite and
wireless technologies.

African ICTs for development also encompasses traditional media including

telephone, radio,television, print media (e.g. Newsletters, cartoons and graphics
posters). ICT consists of three main technologies. These are: Computer
Technology, Communication Technology and Information Management
Technology. These technologies are applied for processing, exchanging, managing
data, information and knowledge. The tools provided by ICT have ability to:

i. Record text, drawings, photographs, audio, videos, process descriptions and

other information in digital formats.
ii. Produce exact duplicates of such information at significantly lower cost.
iii. Transfer information and knowledge rapidly over large distances through
communication networks.
iv. Develop standardized algorithms to large quantities of information relatively
rapid.
v. Achieve greater interactivity in communicating, evaluating, producing and
sharing useful information and knowledge.

Various ICTs used in Agriculture include:

Telephone:Greendige (2003) confirms that the mobile phones contributed to

market expansion followed by fixed phone. The Global System of Mobile
Communication (GSM) is ideal for rural areas, cheap to set up, easy to use, filling
a vital need in Nigeria. Today most rural farmers have access to the GSM which
has enabled a close interaction between them and development (Mundy &Suttan,
1999). Mobile phones may be useful in marketing agricultural product, getting
information on prices of input, goods, weather updates, agricultural practices,
animal health/husbandry. According to shepherd (2000), information made
available to different markets reduces price differences across markets. The
adoption of mobile phones by wholesalers in South India was associated with a
dramatic reduction in price dispersion and near – perfect adherence to the law of
one price (Jensen, 2007).
Radio and Television: These are electronic communication devices for reaching
out to a large number of audiences simultaneously. Radio transmits mainly sound
while the televisiontransmits both sound and motion active which can be received
over a wide area of geographical location through the radio box and television
monitor. The sound and vision power of the television is useful in demonstrating
technologies and video training (Omotayo, 2005). Community broadcast enables
farmers to express themselves through a mass medium and gives a voice to the
neglected farmers and the poor in general.

Computer: According to Omotayo (2005), computer encompasses input data

logging, communication and digitized devices. The soft ware and operating system
are essential part of the computer utilized by the central processing unit to fulfill its
tasks. A computer is an essential ICT tool for marketers as it enables them to have
proper record system (e.g. on MsExcel) and using the record, they will be able to
make proper market decision.

Internet services: The internet is a computer-based global information system

(Bain &Milhiem, 1995). It is composed of many interconnected computer
networks. Each network may link tens, hundreds, or even thousands of computers,
enabling them to share informationand processing power. The Internet has made it
possible for people all over the world to communicate with one another effectively,
inexpensively and to have free access to useful data for further processing.The
internet has caused a cultural revolution in the way individuals and organizations
interact, in terms of time, cost, and distance and have enabled people access
information on computer (Munyua, 2000). The internet may be used to have
information on farming, check market prices, weather report and news, download
forms and guides. Moreover, by using the internet, we can create a website where
different kinds of information can be shared.
E-mail: According to Ugwu (2006), the e- mail is an internet based electronic
substitute for the conventional post office. It provides opportunity for those people
to interact with the outside world via internets. The e-mail is the most commonly
used internet resource. The email is similar to the traditional postal system except
that the messages are exchanged via theuse of computer networks and
telecommunication systems. In other words, the e-mail is an internet resource in
which messages are sent back and forth between individual users and organizations
through an electronic medium. A user can send textual, vocal, pictorial and other
multi-media information in digital forms to friends, peers, families, organizations
and institutions. Ovbiagele (2006) defines e-mail as an electronic message sent
from one computer to another. By e-mail, you can send or receive personal and
business related messages with attachments like pictures or other documents.
Basically, the e-mail is sent on a wide area network. It is a way of communicating
via computer.

2.3 Communication for Agricultural Development

The importance of communication in agricultural extension is of tremendous value.

Communicating, especially extension and agricultural information and group levels
has its importance and advantages. Communicating, in agricultural terms, entails
passing of related agricultural information to and between the stake-holders
including farmers, extension agents and agricultural scientists. However,
agricultural extension communication, in the context of development, is
specifically targeted toward improvingthe livelihoods of the participants (the
farmers and extension staff) through the process of exchanging agricultural
information between themselves and others. Hence, the adoption and/or non-
adoption of recommended technologies and packages could be attributed to the
effectiveness of the communication methods, channels and techniques.
The limitations and constraints found in the traditional and formal communication
channels have made ICT application more relevant. Consequently, because of its
wide application in scope and coverage, a more satisfactory and useful mechanism
for innovation in communication in agricultural context is desirable (Omotayo,
2005). This has thus brought about the introduction of ICT as an innovation in
agricultural development.

For instance, Leeuwis and van den Ban (2004) documented an extensive work on
communication for innovation looking at the changing perspectives and the
organizational and inter-organizational issues involved. Specific to the media
methods, and process management, the work outlined issues related to farm
management, predefined issues, exploration and training. Their work went further
to examine methodsrelated to information provision with discussion on written and
computer-based search and access facilities as well as information-needs
assessment.

Rogers and Shoemaker (1972) defined communication as the process by which

messages are transferred from a source to a receiver. The authors observed that
communication is part of social change process. Contreras (1980) examined the
impact of communication on modernity thus generating a thesis that
communication has not played as important role in rural development in
developing countries because of a series of structural constraints under which it has
operated and, of course, will probably continue to operate.

The onus of responsibility is squarely placed on the shoulders of the engineers and
scientists to work toward ensuring broad application of it in all ramifications and
for all sectors of human economy and development; government, education,
agriculture, business, health, communication, transportation, services, aviation, art,
tourism, banking and commerce – all of which are linked directly or indirectly to
the rural areas and their activities.

According to Van dan Ban and Hawkins (1993), diffusion process (i.e. the
stagesbetween when the farmer first hears about favourable innovations and the
time he adopts them), and it takes the following stages namely: (1) Awareness (2)
Interest or information (3) Evaluation or application (4) Trial, and (5) Adoption.

Otolo (2008) found out that the extension agents constituted (38.42%) as their
source of information on innovations and development in agricultural sector,
followed by the media (34.21%). In addition, the findings further showed 88.9%
positive effect of Communication on rural farms to the rural farmers. Kosakowski
(2009), available at: www.ericdigests.org/ accessed in February, 2009) noted the
following being the factors observed in successful technology-rich schools:

Evidence of a detailed technology plan.

Teacher training and continuing education.

Support from administration.

Support from the community e.g. Parents, businesses, and community members

Support from government.

Adequate funding and appropriate policy making can help to assure that

technology is accessible to all schools on an equal basis.

In summary, he concluded that these factors suggest that for technology to

succeed, like any educational tool, it cannot exist in isolation, but must be made an
integral part of the entire instructional process. The internet, (technically known as
the World Wide Web (www), is another technology which provides immense mass
usage. In this direction, Mojaye (2006) examined the role of the internet in some
selected Nigerian newspapers and their patterns and nature of its utilization in
terms of: information posted on their websites, number of internet-connected
computers and frequency of sourcing stories from the internet. Other areas they
examined were; reporters with e-mails and those that file-in stories through it, and
above all, the benefits accruable from using internet facilities.

However, some of the factors identified being responsible for deficient

communication in agriculture include: lack of adequate trained agents, ignorance
of theparticipants/parties involved, cultural impediments, organizational problems,
deficient communication strategies and lack of required input and resources.
Others include; language barriers, indifference, differing perspectives, illiteracy,
prejudices, etc (Umar, 2005 and Ogunbameru, 2006).

2.4 Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs or ICT) is a relatively new

means of disseminating information among people worldwide. ICTs have been
defined as and it comprises of processing and transmission of information by
electronic meanssuch as radio, television, telephones (fixed and mobile),
computers, Pocket PCs and the internet (CTA, 2003).

Generally, the various available ICT components/devices include the following:

Radio, Television, Multi-media systems (VCDs, DVDs, VHS, Over-head

projectors), Telephones (Land-lines and Mobile phones), Internet (E-mailing,
Web-browsing, telephoning), Computers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).
Others include: MediaPlayers (MP 2, 3 & 4), Geographic Information System
(GIS), Geographic PositionSystem (GPS), Cable Satellite, online Newspapers, e-
Books, journals, tablet systems and smart phones, ipods and ipads.

This involves the use of the above-listed media to exchange information with the
stakeholders such as: farmers, extension agents, researchers, administrators, policy
planners, marketers, cooperatives, agro-processors, Non-Governmental
organizations (NGOs). The world today is still confronted with the problems of
illiteracy and ignorance coupled with inadequate flow of information. The
importance of information on research and development cannot be over-
emphasized. Indeed, the usefulness of information and credibility of information
source have been found to be positively and significantly related to adoption of
improved cassava production technologies (Matthews-Njoku, 2003). Oninowu
(1996) built an historical background around the use of communication support
facilitates by rural and agricultural development organizations to promote the
uptake of improved technologies or messages within farming communities. This
was exemplified in the Nigerian situation with State ADP radio programme
producers given trainings in 1990-1991 and 1993 by their Federal Agricultural
Coordinating Unit (FACU) – although now defunct.

Wikipedia (2010a) stated that ICT, apart from being user-friendly, easy to access,
cost effective and well-protected from unauthorized accesses, also serves the
following purposes:

Record text, drawings, photographs, audio, video, process descriptions, and other
information in digital formats; produce exact duplicates of such information at
significantly lower cost; transfer information and knowledge rapidly over large
distances through communications networks; develop standardized algorithms to
large quantities of information relativelyrapidly; and achieve greater interactivity
in communicating, evaluating, producing and sharing useful information and
knowledge.

Wikipedia (2010a) further described ICT being consisted mainly of three main
technologies namely: Computer Technology, Communication Technology and
Information Management Technology. Generally, there are many information and
communication technologies (ICTs) through which data and information could be
stored, transmitted,retrieved and analysed.

A host of ICT devices are available worldwide, however, for the purpose of this
research, the following devices for information and communication were selected,
namely:

Radio, internet (and e-mailing), Pocket Devices (PDAs), Land line phones,
GSM/Cell phones, Television (TV), Fax, Overhead projectors, and Cinema. Others
include: Camera, VHS Video Players, VCD/DVD Video players, Computers and
Audio Tape Cassette Recorders.

Wikipedia (2010a) further discussed the application of ICT in agriculture

becoming increasingly important and stated that: E-Agriculture is an emerging
field focusing on the enhancement of agricultural and rural development through
improved information and communication processes. It stated further that more
specifically, e-Agriculture involves the conceptualization, design, development,
evaluation and application of innovative ways to use information and
communication technologies (ICT) in the rural domain, with a primary focuson
agriculture. E-Agriculture is a relatively new term and we fully expect its scope to
changeand evolve as our understanding of the area grows, it concluded.

The intrinsic role of ICTs toward adoption of technologies in agriculture has been
stressed by Warren (2001). The trend toward e-agriculture is fast gathering
momentum. There is virtually no sector where ICTs cannot be used: Agriculture,
education, health, transportation communication, Science and Technology (S&T),
Security, Legal and Policy, e-commerce, e-economy and e-Government (FAO and
ITU (2003) and Butcher, 2004). FAO (1993) had outlined the potentials of micro-
computer in giving support to agricultural extension. The role of ICTs toward
securing improvement of the resource-poor farmers through a synergy of access to
telecommunications and socioeconomic development has been emphasized
(Kiplang’at, 2003). The contemporary agricultural practices can yield significant
result and attain sustainability through effectiveuse of information exchange
mechanisms like ICTs. The important role of ICTs has been well documented
illustrating its importance to both advanced and developing countries like Chile,
Peru, South Africa, India, Mexico, Bangladesh and Uganda, particularly in terms
of information exchange in rural communities (Munyua, 2000).

Information, no doubt, could be an effective instrument for development,

especially in the rural areas and for the benefit of the poor. Specifically, extension
information can provide a tremendous impetus to rural farmers, and indeed to the
generality of rural populace.

Zijp (1994) identified Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as

very useful to support the improvement of the apparent inadequate extension and
education services particularly for the development of rural areas. The diversity of
livelihood strategies among small-scale family farms and the importance of non-
farm income has magnified the need to develop differentiated rural development
strategies (Berdegue and Escobar, 2001).

The importance of ICTs to human development cannot be over-emphasized. ICTs

could be used as a strong linkage for development between the rural and urban
areas. By so doing, the digital divide would be closed up eventually and the
general people of the world would be better of than before. It would however be a
big error if the use of ICTs is confined solely to a limited region, area or people.

For instance, when a comparison is made on internet usage in Africa compared

with the wide and progressive usage of cell phones, it is still far behind. Asia,
Europe and North America dominate the internet users’ world while Africa,
Middle East and Australia/Oceanic region are at the bottom of the ladder. In Sub-
Saharan Africa, it has been estimated, that by 2001, only one in one hundred
owned a personal computer (Painting and Wesseler (2004). Specific to internet use,
in 2000, only 0.4% of total population of Africa used the internet compared to
53.3% in the USA. Therefore, there still exists the wide gap in information flow
between the developed and underdeveloped countries, not only in the urbanareas
but more pronounced in the rural settings. Introduction of tele-centres or phone
shops has been found to provide tremendous success in places like Burkina Faso,
Senegal, Mali, and Uganda (Painting and Wesseler, 2004) even though largely in
the urban areas. Theirextension in the rural areas, no doubt, would provide an
impetus of opportunities and improvement to larger populations.

A Canadian research institution, Institute for Development Research (IDRC, 2003)

report gave a comprehensive assessment and study on the use of ICTs in Kenya,
Senegal,

South Africa and Uganda drawing from cases of projects executed in some of their
communities. An illustration of phenomenal growth of cell phone compare to fixed
lines is found in South Africa. For example, as estimated, the state-owned Telkom
Limited which provided fixed telephone lines of about 5.86 million (in 2001) while
the cellular phone companies (Vodacom and MTN) had a combined subscribers of
9 million. Concerted effortsare being geared toward reaching more of the
underprivileged rural areas across the country.
Ekong (2003) opined that there were generally inadequate communication facilities
in Nigeria as people depended often and largely on face-to-face communication
even in cities.

Interestingly, Nigeria has grown from mere 500,000 lines in 1999 to 35 million
lines in teledensityin 2007 (Fanawopo, 2007). There is still more room for growth
as the 140 million population of Nigeria (2006 Population Census) deserve the
benefits accruable from this infrastructural facility. Specific to Nigeria, some
remarkable improvements and policy measures have been made toward making
Nigerian telecommunication environment up-todate.

No doubt, Nigeria is fast becoming a fertile ground for the application, utilization
and production of communications facilities, especially ICT, and the trend is in
such a pace that is impressive and gives indications for more improvement. It was
reported that a US company (Recellular), a specialist company in discarded cell
phone is currentlyproviding recycled phones, in Kenya and Nigeria, and sold at
one-third or one-half of their original prices and are made available to African
farmers to enable them access agricultural information (Spore, 2007). In Appendix
3, Nigeria is 24th (with 40, 395, 000 users) among the top 30 countries using cell
phones worldwide (Accessed online in June, 2010:
http://infoplease.com/world.html/). This may sound impressive and encouraging.
However, when critically compared with leading countries like China 2nd (with
547, 286,000 users) and United States of America - 4th (with 255,000,000 users),
Nigeria is still, by and large, lagging behind. The gradual growth rate of cell phone
users in Nigeria may however be her remarkable credit.

Chapman and Slaymaker (2002) carried out an extensive review of ICTs stressing
its capacity to exceed the physical distance, linking communities and “integrating
with wider social and economic networks”. Unfortunately, some countries are yet
to grapple with the importance of knowledge transfer in spite of the apparent fact
that knowledgeand capital are strong catalysts for success within the globalization
paradigm being promoted (Rivera, 2001). Similarly, Lobo (2007) reported a
classical example and success of rural development efforts through communication
campaigns in informing and training farmers and diffusion of appropriate
technologies in Mozambique through the employment of various available media
(radio, television, theatre, posters, brochures, meetings). Another case was reported
in the Cambodia Information and Communication Technology for Development
(ICT4D) National Education Policy (2005) - accessed online at the website:

http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-20.html). This policy

document was developed to focus on Cambodia's "Education for All" vision of
ensuring all citizens equal access to basic quality education, and to prepare them to
participate actively in Cambodia's reconstruction and integration into the
knowledge-based global community. The policy places emphasis on the role of
ICT in distance education, thetraining of professionals, non-formal education, and
thequality of education at the upper-secondary and postsecondarylevels, in
recognition of the importance of ICT skills in a knowledge-based society.

Radio has been found to be an effective means of disseminating agricultural

information to farmers. It is widely used as a means of communication - sending
and receiving information by people. Similarly, rural farmers in particular in many
regions of the world find radio as a veritable source of deriving extension related
information.

Some studies have shown some significant roles radio has played in sourcing
agricultural information (Yazidu, 1973; Voh, 1981; Chikwendu and Onyibe, 1996;
Arokoyo, 1998; and Omokhudu, 1999). Also, Chikwendu and Omeneza (1997)
have established that disseminating agricultural information in a result-oriented
manner could be achieved through the instrumentality of established effective and
efficient channels of communication among researchers, extension workers and
farmers. In another related study, Omenesa (1997) stated that radio is one of the
most important media of transmission of information to the grassroots in Nigeria.

Indeed, some areas of ICT application are receiving good attention in Africa.
Radio, for example, is gradually being used more widely in many areas of
humanendeavours, especially the rural communities. There is expansion in both
fixed lines and mobile networks in recent past with the latter growing in a
phenomenal rate in some countries in Africa.

Radio still plays dominant role in both information dissemination and

communication in many parts of the world. For example, as shown in Appendix 1,
Nigeria was rated 1st in Africa among countries with high level of radio
ownership. Mayer’s (2008) report on Africa amplified the position that radio is a
dominant medium of mass communication and its convergence with other ICT
tools like computers, mobile phones and MP3 players. Describing radio as a
community source of information, she declared: “an invaluable tool in emergencies
and the humanitarian aid context”.

Fadiji (2007) discovered in a study, that majority of rural farmers in Nigeria use
radio as their source of deriving extension information on daily and weekly basis.
Similarly, Murtalaet al., (2007) indicated considering preference of farmers’
sources of information,the Extension agents (56%) to first position followed by
radio (48%). Their findings on the source of information revealed radio as the
second (22.22%) after extension agents (46.67%).

Aderintoet al., (2008) found that use of ICTs by extension personnel included the
following; 100% used radio; 100% used TV; 58.8% used telephone). On non-usage
83.3% did not use Website; 80.4% did not use CD-ROM; 61.8% did not use
internet). Concerning factors on use, their findings revealed the following;
(availability of TV and radio (100%), Accessibility of TV and radio (100%);
Affordability of TV and radio (100%); Ease of use of TV and radio (100%); Job
necessity of telephone (73.5%) in comparison with Availability of fax (9.8%);
Accessibility of website (8.8%); Affordability of fax (7.8%); Ease of use of
websites (4.9%) and Job necessity of radio, TV, Fax and newspaper (0%).

Huggins-Rao et al., (2009) reported a demonstration of using radio in combination

with other ICTs (like mobile phones and MP3 players) to record usefulinformation
and transmit/record radio programmes for broadcast or for playback. Apatankuand
Lawal-Adebowale (2009) found the following ICT devices owned and used by
some agricultural extension and research organizations namely; Computers, Tele-
fax, telephone, websites, E-mail, radio, television, and VCD/VCR thereby laying
credence to the importance of these devices. Also, their findings revealed that the
Organizations Usage of the device of ICT for agricultural activities (including
Computers, CD-ROM, Diskettes and Web-Pages) for documentation and
information dissemination; while their programmes were also aired on radio and
television (TV). Busken and Webb (2009) have illustrated the remarkable
development, throughout Africa, of women involvement and use of ICT
components like mobile phones, CD-ROMs and internet. Furthermore, the work
exposed some tangible benefits offered to women by ICT utilization, some of
which are: increased revenues, better access to information, new career,
employment opportunities and protection.

Masianini and Rokotuibau (2009) exemplified a typical ICT usage

projectinvolving extension workers and farmers in the Pacific in terms of; ability to
produce DVDs, printed guides, radio and TV Programmes in strengthening rural
economies. In another report but similar, Mugo and Vermenlen (2011) also stated
that ICTs effects has been recorded in Mali through an IICD support to women
association by provision of three computers, some solar panels, two photo–cameras
and one video–camera, which permitted the women to present their products on a
website. As a result of their usage, coupled with management and marketing tools,
had helped women’s association for producing and marketing shea butter
production levels and improved sales and revenues.

Madukwe (2009) cited from Nigerian perspective how radio and TV Stations,
since Nigeria’s independence, and mobile phones and internet, more recently, are
the ICT components being used to improve livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.
Findings of Levbaojeet al., (2005) among earlier studies carried out in Nigeria,
looked at the level of preparedness ofField-level Extension workers on the use of
some ICTs. Their findings then had shown that most of them (78.2%) did not use
e-mail (internet), 76.3% were not computer literate, and only 44% had cell phones.

Zaid’s (2008) study specifically centred on the use of Internet for cataloguing and
classification in Library, an illustration of the fact that Internet provides great
flexibility through which catalogers are enabled to share information about their
work as well as administrators and vendors. Cheteet al., (2008) findings on
operation of electronic e-Government, an assessment of a Government based
website, found that majority of the respondents (40%) agreed that phone contact,
address contact, publications, link to other sites and data bases would help an
ordinary citizen contact a Government agency. Also, 55% of the respondents are of
the position that the use of E-mail would help citizens contact Government
officials and make use of information on websites.

Mojaye (2006) discovered that a lot of benefits can be derived from internet (world
wide web) usage among which are: quick access to information, delivery of news,
access to worldwide visibility/ readership and quick news posting and
advertisement.

According to Danladiet al., (2008), ICT is considered of great importance to

mankind and among the notable areas include the following:

It is time-saving

It increases efficiency

It is convenient in processing data

It saves energy

It helps in developing basic skills, and

It helps in the storage and transfer of information

According to Mugo and Vermeulen (2011), ICTs can help to promote

agriculturalproduction. Specifically, they stated that ICTs can be used to document
what farmers aredoing in one region. This information can be shared through CD
ROMs, short videosand pictures.

Yekinni and Hussein (2008) examined ICT formats deemed important for
officialwork namely: Radio, TV, cinema, Newspaper, Fax, phone (fixed), mobile
phone/GSM,Video, Computers and CD-ROM. Others were: Organization e-mail,
OrganizationWebsite, Personal e-mail and Personal website. The work further
outlined the followingfindings; 90.9% agreed that ICTs can easily network all
researchers for easy access toinformation; 90.9% agreed that ICT can facilitate
international cross-fertilization ofideas for agricultural development; 86.4% agreed
that ICT can facilitate researchextensioninstitutions linkage for effective
agricultural information dissemination, and;77.3% agreed that ICT can incorporate
feed-forward mechanism into research-extensionin order to have end-users’ input
and reaction.

A lot of studies on the use of ICT has brought into focus the numerous
importanceattached to the thriving technologies. In a related publication, Atala and
Umar (2006),in Nigerian context, examined the extent of use, efficiency and
limitations found inGeneral Mobile System (popularly called GSM) as a
technology for masscommunication. The study focused on the use of GSM by
journalists, identified thefollowing problems; poor services, high charges, network
problems, and difficulty ininterconnectivity. The study however discovered that
journalists have been assisted asGSM use has improved their work performance
and productivity.

2.5 Constraints to the Use of ICT

There are myriads of problems connected to the use and application of ICT. It is
atechnological device with inherent sophistication. Furthermore, it is a device
undergoingchanges from time to time, as the producers/manufacturers try to
improve on them.

Aderintoet al., (2008) discovered that on some of the constraints associated with
ICTinclude: lack of time, remoteness of station, high access change and low
knowledge ofuse. Danladiet al., (2008) observed a number of problems created in
the use of ICTwhich, among others include: the anti-social sites visitation by the
youths on the internetleading to the cultivation of negative attitudes/behaviours;
encouragement of crimes andfraudulent activities,; discouragement of corporate
learning, discouragement ofcreativity among teachers, and;
shortage/unaffordability of ICT equipment. Zainabet al.,(2008) also identified the
following problems associated with ICT use: frequent powerfailure and lack of
alternative power supply, lack of basic knowledge of ICT utilization,system
difficulties operation, inadequate finance for procurement and maintenance ofICT
facilities (components), and lack of adequate and trained staff to handle
ICTfacilities.

Akpabio, et al., (2008) identified constraints which include: poor ICT

infrastructuredevelopment, high cost of broadcast equipment, high charges for
radio/televisionpresentations, high cost of access/interconnectivity and electricity/
power problems.

Arokoyo (2003) cited the following as constraints to ICT in Nigeria: Poor and
erraticfunding, poor ICT infrastructural development, high cost of
power/electricity, very highcost of telephone services either by landlines or GSM,
Limited access to computer andthe Internet. Others were: Policy inconsistencies by
government in both the

telecommunication and agricultural sectors, high-level of rural poverty, high-level

ofilliteracy among farmers and computer illiteracy among scientists and
extensionists,limited access to worldwide databases on CD-ROMs, the limited
coverage by the nearabsence of rural radio/exorbitant cost for farm broadcasting.
Lal (2007) stated that oneof the major factors inhibiting ICT diffusion and
intensive utilization is poor physicalinfrastructure represented by inadequate and
interrupted electricity supply andcommunication connectivity infrastructure.

In conclusion, the foregoing literature review has extensively captured some

therelevant subject areas and objectives set for the study especially in the context
of:Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs), Agricultural Development and
Extension Systemin Nigeria, Socio-economic Characteristics of Extension agents,
Perception studies,communicating for Agricultural Development, the Use of
Information and CommunicationTechnologies (ICTs) and constraints to its use.

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Okeke T.C (1980) simply defined research methodology as a plan that specifies

how data should be collected and analysed. In this sense, data is not just mere

information, it is information gathered by investigation with the aid of their

instruments, techniques and means. Since research method has to do with methods

adopted by the researcher to collect data, which are relevant to the problem under

consideration, the researcher of this project made use of personal interviews and

data questionnaire

3.1 Research Design

The basic research design employed in this study was descriptive design. The

choice of this design was chosen due to the fact that it enriches the data collection.

The research design adopted on this study was carefully planned, so as to be able

to obtain accurate and complete information about the research project being used.

3.2 Sources of Data

The major source of data used in this work was mainly through primary and

secondary sources of data collection. The primary sources are data collected at first
hand from original sources for the user’s express purpose. Such data are usually

collected from oral interview, questionnaires and face to face observation of the

respondents. The secondary data are simple data collected on a second hand base.

This type of data could be obtained through the use of textbooks, seminar papers,

journals, newspapers, internet and magazines collected mostly from university,

polytechnics, public and specialized libraries.

3.3 Location of Study

This study was conducted in Afikpo. Afikpo North is a Local Government Area of

Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Ehugbo, Afikpo. Its

important cities are Unwana, Itim, Ohaisu, Nkpoghoro, Ugwuegu/Amaizu,Ozizza,

Amasiri, Ibii/Akpoha.

It has an area of 240km² and a population of 156,611 at the 2006 census. Its postal

code is 490.

3.4 Population of the Study

The population of the study comprises is supposed to cover the entire population

Nigeria but because of the vast nature of the country and the rigorous process

involved in getting the accurate number of the citizens the researcher has deemed it

necessary to limit the population to selected individuals in Afikpo North Local

Government Area of Ebonyi State.

3.5 Sample and Sampling Technique

The sample technique applied in selecting sample for the study is cluster sampling.

This type of sampling involves the initial sampling of groups of elements (called

clusters), followed by the selection of elements within each selected clusters. In

this form of sampling, the clusters are made up of individual units which constitute

mutually exclusive and exhaustive categories from these clausters, the researcher

randomly selects two subjects to be included in the sample.

3.6 Sample Size Determination

The Taro Yameni technique was adopted for this research work

Thus n = N

1+N(e)2

Where N= population of the study

n = sample size

(e) = level of significance

I= unit (a constant)

Note (e) = 0.05

3.7 Instruments Used for Data Collection

Owing to the area covered by this study, questionnaire was designed for data

collection. Data was collected through relevant newspaper, journals, oral

interviews, literature/write up from seminar papers and internet.

3.8 Methods of Data Analysis

The method of data analysis adopted in this research work is the quantitative

analysis approach. Quantitative research typically explores specific and clearly

defined questions that examine the relationship between two events, or

occurrences, where the second event is a consequence of the first event. Such a

question might be: ‘what impact did the programme have on children’s school

performance?’ To test the causality or link between the programme and children’s

school performance, quantitative researchers will seek to maintain a level of

control of the different variables that may influence the relationship between

events and recruit respondents randomly. Quantitative data is often gathered

through surveys and questionnaires that are carefully developed and structured to

provide you with numerical data that can be explored statistically and yield a result

that can be generalised to some larger population.

 CHAPTER FOUR

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Table1: Percentage Distribution of Socio-economic Characteristics of

Respondents.

Variable Frequency Percentage

Gender
Male 66 55
Female 54 45
Age:
Less than 29 8 6.7
30 – 39 44 36.7
40 - 49 39 32.5
50 and above 29 24.3

Gender: The finding on table 1 showed that majority (55%) of respondents who
use ICT were male while 45percent were female.

Age: The respondent whose age were 30 – 39 was 36.7 percent, while those less
than 29 years were 6.7 percent.

32.5 percent and 24.2 percent of respondents fall between 40 – 49 and above. This
mean that majority of therespondents were still active and participated in the use of
ICT in agriculture. It agreed with the findings ofMunya (2001) that young people
participate more in ICT in agricultural technology.
Education attainment: Frequency Percentage
No formal education 34 28.3
Incomplete Primary School 20 16.7
Complete primary school 30 25
Others 36 30
Marital status:
Single 59 21.7
Married 26 49.2
Divorced 8 6.7
Separated 11 9.2
Widowed 16 13.3

Education attainment: The above table showed that majority (71.7%) were
literate while (28.3) were illiterate.

This implies that majority of the respondents participate in new ideas and likely to
adopt new innovation. This isin line with Asogwa (2006) which stated that
educational status enhances efficiency of farmers.

Marital Status: The result indicated that 49.2 percent of the respondent were
married, 21.7 single while 6.7percent and 9.2 percent were divorced and separated
respectively.
House hold size:
3-5 20 17.7
6-8 40 33.3
9-10 28 23.3
11 – 12 22 18.3
> 12 10 8.3

Household size: In table 1 above, majority (33.3 percent) of the respondents had a
household size of 4-6 while8.3 percent of the respondents had a household size of
12 and above. However, with a mean household size of5.75, respondents was
considered as having larger household size than others. This was of great
importance as asource of cheap and affordable farm labour in farming.

Occupation status:
Farming 54 45
Trading 20 16.7
Civil service 25 20.8
Others 21 17.5

Occupation status: Occupational status showed that majority (45%) of the

respondents were farmers whileminorities (16.7%) were traders.
Income per month:
10,000 - 20,000 22 18.3
21,000 - 40,000 50 41.7
41,000 - 60,000 30 25
> 60,000 18 15

Income: Table 1 also showed that majority of the respondents (41.7%) earned
between 21,000 – 40,000 permonth while 15 percent earned N60, 000 and above.
Average income per month being N36, 625, it means thatmajority of the
respondents were low income earners.

Types of framing practice:

Livestock production 20 16.7
Crop production 50 41.7
Marketing farm product 39 32.5
Agricultural processing 5 4.2
Firb farming 4 3.3
Snail farming 2 1.7

Type of farm practice: It was indicated in the table that 41.7 percent of the
respondents practiced crop farmingwhile 1.7 percent practiced snail farming.
Members of co-operative society:
Yes 40 33.3
No 50 66.7

Member of Co-operative society: Thirty three percent of the respondents were

members of co-operative societywhile 66.7 did not belong to the co-operative
society.

Table 2: Percentage Distribution of Respondents Based on ICT Facilities

Awareness in the study Area

Existing ICTs Frequency Percentage

Radio 29 24.17
Computer 27 22.5
Telephone (mobile) 45 37.5
Television 10 8.33
Internet facilities 9 7.5
Total 120 100

The use of mobile phone in table 2 reveal that majority (37.50%) of the
respondents were aware of the existenceof mobile phone. Thus, mobile phone was
more commonly used in obtaining and sharing agriculturalinformation among the
respondents in the study area.
Table 3: Percentage Distribution of Respondents Based on their Access to ICT
in the Study Area.

ICTS ACCESS No ACCESS

Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
Radio 40 33.33 30
Telephone (mobile) 65 54.17 25 20.83
Television 38 31.67 57 47.50
Computer 24 20.00 69 57.50
Internet facilities 23 19.17 39 32.50
Total 190 220

Table 3 shows that 33.33 percent of the respondents had access to radio while 25
percent could not have accessto radio. Mobile telephone was accessed by 54.17
percent but only 20.83 percent of the respondents could nothave access to mobile
telephone. Also 31.67 percent had television while 47.50 percent had to computer
whileonly 20 percent made use of computer. Likewise 19.17 percent had access to
internet facilities while 32.50percent had no access to it. From the above result,
greater number of respondents (57.50%) had no access tocomputer.
Table 4: Percentage Distribution of the Use of ICT by Farmers in the Study
Area.

Use of ICTs Frequency Frequenc Percentag

y e
Get information on new varieties 38 31.67
Get information on market situation 29 24.17
Exchange of knowledge and ideas with fellow farmers 30 25
Provision of agricultural information to extension workers 20 16.67
Acquire information from research institution 15 12.5
Acquisition of skill through training 22 18.33
Get information on farm inputs availability cost and where 15 12.5
to obtain them.
Communication between extension agents and farmers 23 19.17
Searching for recent information or innovation on 27 22.5
agriculture
Searching for places where my farm products are highly 31 25.83
needed
Location of marketers for farm products 20 16.67
Total

Table 4 showed that most respondents (31.67%) used ICTs to get information on
new varieties while 12.50 percent get information on farm inputs availability, cost
and where to obtain them.
 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary

The agriculture information is vast, interdisciplinary and specific to different agro

climatic zones and needs a proper information dissemination system for its
effective use. So the agriculture information resources need to be significantly
organized and processed to disseminate right information to the right user at the
right time.

Communication is recognized as an important input for development to

disseminate and create dialogue among different stakeholders about the
technologies and issues of agriculture, environment and sustainable development.
ICTs are technologies offering new ways for communicating and exchanging
information and knowledge.

In the absence of information, smallholder producers faceproblems of adverse

selection that limit the performanceof agricultural commodity and input markets,
and in turnthe participation of small producers in these markets. InAfikpo North
L.G.A. of Ebonyi, smallholder farmers comprise of the majority ofthe farming
community. Most of them produce smallmarketable surplus and are geographically
dispersed.

Anunderstanding of the factors associated with ICT adoptionand use in agriculture

will enable the development ofstrategies to promote ICT adoption and increase
theeffectiveness and efficiency of information use inagricultural sector.
Studies addressing the effectiveness of ICT in ruralarea revealed some factors
which influenced the use ofICT tools. These factors are associated with
attitudetowards ICT usage.

The use of ICT by smallholder farmers is surely a newtechnological change in

rural area. A lot of factorsdetermine the adoption and the use of ICT tools
forfarming purposes.

The proportion of farmers using ICT tools in theirfarming activities (69%) was
greater than those of farmermembersof ICT project. The four main common types
ofmedia used for farming purposes were the radio program,the mobile call-up, the
television and the mobile SMS.

The intensity of the use of ICT tools in agriculture interms of the number of media
used had two positivedrivers (transport costs to the produce market and use ofany
information from the ICT project) and one negativedriver (land in fallow during
the short season). Focusingspecifically on mobile calls, its adoption in agriculture
hadfour positive drivers (land cultivated during short rainseason, mobile phone
ownership, participation in ICTproject and literacy) and three negative drivers
(land infallow during the short season, distance to the nearestmobile phone
services and household size). Its intensity of use in agriculture in terms of the total
number of callshad three positive drivers (distance to the nearest centerthat has
electricity, farming experience and mobile phoneownership) and one negative
driver (distance to thenearest mobile phone services). Consequently the
mainfactors leading the use of ICT tools regarded the landholding and the access to
mobile phone with its relatedservices. The less land in fallow during the short
seasonmeant the more inputs to use and the more produce toexpect, making
farmers to adopt and intensify the use ofICT tools for guaranteeing input and
output markets. Inaddition, owning personally the mobile phone in use andhaving
mobile phone services closer gave sufficientreason to use more and more mobile
calls in agriculturalexchanges.

5.2 Conclusion

This study revealed that the use of ICTs in agricultural technology delivery in
Ebonyi State can lead to the muchneeded and emphasized agricultural
transformation in Nigeria. Farmers in the study area were aware of ICTs andused
them in various agricultural activities. However, the use of ICTs was limited by
technical, infrastructural,financial and institutional constraints. Overcoming these
challenges would ensure increased use of ICTs foragricultural activities. Therefore,
efforts should be made to enhance the use of ICTs among farmers in EbonyiState.
Government could provide infrastructural facilities such as constant electricity,
good roads pipe bornwater, health facilities and modern farm facilities to enable
farmers utilize ICTs, ensure periodic training for bothfarmers and extension agents
on the operation of ICTs, subsidize ICTs facilities and make available all
networksin the study area in collaboration with the network providers, and constant
public enlightenment programmes tointimate male and female farmers of the need
to employ ICTs in their agricultural activities.

5.3 Implications and recommendations

1. The study revealed that considerable percentage of therespondents had medium

level of knowledge about ICT tools. It wasfound that most of the farmers depended
on TV and mobile for gettingwide range of information because of its accessibility.
But about newICT tools like, internet and agricultural DVDs they had very
lessknowledge. Hence, there is a need to provide farm informationthrough other
tools since internet has got more space, wider reachand retrievable form of
information it is possible to have two wayinteractions through video conferencing.
Hence, there is a need toestablish multipurpose ICT centres in village level
comprising all ICTtools.

2. The study revealed that nearly 40 per cent of the respondents hadrelatively
favourable attitude towards ICT tools. Therefore, there is aneed to make available
these tools at village level along with creatingawareness about the importance of
ICT tools and types of servicesproviding by these tools to the farming community.
Providing suchfacilities at village level will further attract them to use these tools
forfarm communication. Further providing services in local language andmaking
the tools more users friendly which will result in developingpositive attitude
towards ICT tools.

3. As per this study majority of the farmers had medium to lowextension

participation and mass media exposure and low socialparticipation and also
majority of the respondents expressed thatthere is lack of training centers and
trained man power to teach aboutICT tools. Hence, developmental departments
need to organize training programmes at village level and make farmers to
exposedifferent extension services and more to acquaint with new ICT toolsalong
with providing consultancy services and good infrastructurefacilities.

4. Variables like education and extension participation were foundsignificant both

the knowledge and attitude level of farmers. Hence,there is a strong need to
educate the farmers during extensionprogrammes regarding usefulness of ICT
tools, type of informationprovided and authenticity of information to make them
aware aboutthese tools.

5. Finally, it is envisaged that the results of the study would be useful topolicy and
decision makers, development planners, government andnon-governmental
organizations who are concerned with promotion ofICT projects and ICT enabled
services for reducing the digital divide. Itwas also expected that the methodology
used would provide avaluable source of information for others to take up such
studiescovering larger area in the years ahead.

5.4 Suggestions for future area of research

A comparative study on access and use of ICT tools in differentlocations may be

conducted at micro level. Since the study wasconducted in only three taluks of
three districts, it is necessary to havestudies in other areas in order to generalize the
findings.
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 APPENDIX I

STRUCTURED QUESTIONNAIRE

SECTION A: Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondents

1. Gender:
(a) Male ( ) (b) Female ( )
2. Age:
(a) Less than 29 ( ) (b) 30 – 39 ( ) (c) 40 – 49 ( )

(d) 50 and above ( )

3. Education attainment:
(a) No formal education ( ) (b) Incomplete primary school ( )

(c) Complete primary school ( ) (d) Others ( )

4. Marital status:
(a) Single ( ) (b) Married ( ) (c) Divorced ( )

(d) Separated ( ) (e) Widowed ( )

5. Household size:

(a) 3 – 5 ( ) (b) 6 – 8 ( ) (c) 9 – 10 ( )

(d) 11 – 12 ( )
6. Occupation status:

(a) Farming ( ) (b) Trading ( ) (c) Civil service ( )

(d) Others ( )
7. Income per month:

(a) 10,000 - 20,000 ( ) (b) 21,000 - 40,000 ( )

(c) 41,000 - 60,000 ( )

 (d) > 60,000 ( )
8. List of farm practices:

(a) Livestock production ( ) (b) Crop production ( )

(c) Marketing farm product ( ) (d) Agricultural processing ( )

(e) Fish farming ( ) (f) Snail farming ( )

9. Members of co-operative society:

(a) Yes ( ) (b) No ( )

SECTION B:

1. What ICT Facilities are you aware of?

(a) Radio ( ) (b) Computer ( )
(c) Telephone (Mobile) ( ) (d) Television ( )
(e) Internet facilities ( )
2. Which of the following ICT facilities are accessible to you?
(a) Radio ( ) (b) Computer ( )
(c) Telephone (Mobile) ( ) (d) Television ( )
(e) Internet facilities ( )
3. What do you use the available ICT facilities for?
(a) Get information on new varieties ( )
(b) Get information on market situation ( )
(c) Exchange of knowledge and ideas with fellow farmers ( )
(d) Provision of agricultural information to extension workers ( )
(e) Acquire information from research institution ( )
(f) Acquisition of skill through training ( )
(g) Get information on farm inputs availability cost and where to obtain them. ( )
(h) Communication between extension agents and farmers ( )
(i) Searching for recent information or innovation on agriculture ( )
(j) Searching for places where my farm products are highly needed ( )
(k) Location of marketers for farm products ( )