ASSESSMENT OF CASSAVA FARMERS’ AWARENESS AND UTILISATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the awareness and utilization of information and communication technologies among cassava farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. Using multi-stage sampling procedure, a sample of 200 cassava farmers was selected for the study. A well structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean score from Likert scale.It was found that majority (57.5%) of the respondents were male, married (47.5%), and could read and write(87.5%). The mean age of the farmers was 46 years. Most (57.5%) of the respondents were not  members of any cassava farmers’ association, with average farming experience of 12 years, on the mean farm size of 2.7 hectares with average annual farm income of N800,000. Cassava farmers’ level of awareness was high (61.68%), while mobile phone was the major (21.5%) type of ICT used by farmers with production output of 400bags per year. Poor rural internet access, poor power supply and inadequate extension service were the constraints that hindered effective use of ICT facilities by cassava farmers. It was therefore, recommended that government should provide adequate and constant power supply to rural areas among others.