AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

DETERMINANTS OF USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT) BY Gnetum africanum FARMERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  Umoh, Idaresit Uwem, Okon, Uwemedimo Eyo and Udousung, Idongesit John

Abstract
The study assessed the determinants of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage by Gnetum africanum farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A sample of 120 Gnetum africanum farmers was randomly selected for the study using a set of questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that that female (65.5%) dominated Gnetum africanum production. On the access to ICT facilities: mobile phone, radio and Television were the readily accessed facilities although a mean score of 2.2 indicated very low access to ICT facilities in the study area. These ICT facilities were relevant to Gnetum africanum production activities in the areas of information on market situation (76.13%), information on staking materials (71.65%), fertilizer application (68.02%), information on how to get root stock (58.25%), packaging and transportation (55.93%), information on record keeping (55.17%) and information on credit needs (53.77%). The binary logit analysis further revealed that significant relationship exist between education (r = 0.21066, p ≤ 0.05), income level (r = 0.39940), p ≤ 0.01) and years of farming experience (r = 0.21134, p ≤ 0.01) and the extent of ICT facilities usage. It was recommended that the extension institutions in Nigeria should concentrate their effort on agricultural information delivery through these ICT facilities accessible to Gnetum africanum farmers in order to improved Gnetum africanum production in the study area.