Use of Cell Phone by Farmers and its Implication on Farmers- Production Capacity in Oyo State Nigeria

Authors: Bolarinwa, K. K., Oyeyinka, R. A.

Abstract:

Relevant agricultural information disseminator (extension agent) ratio of 1:3500 farm families which become a menace to agricultural production capacity in developing countries necessitate this study. Out of 4 zones in the state, 24 extension agents in each zone, 4 extension agents using cell phones and 120 farmers using cell phone and 120 other farmers not using cell phone were purposively selected to give 240 farmers that participated in the research. Data were collected using interview guide and analysized using frequency, percentage and t-test.. Frequency of contact with agricultural information centers revealed that cell phone user farmers had greater means score of X 41.43 contact as against the low mean X19.32 contact recorded by farmers receiving agricultural information from extension agents not using cell phone and their production was statistically significant at P < 0.05. Usage of cell phone increase extension agent contact and increase farmers- production capacity.

Keywords: Cell phone, contact, extension agents and production.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1077946

References:

[1] United Nation annual Report 2005.
[2] Food and Agricultural Organization 2005 online statistical data base , Rome, Italy food and Agricultural organization of United Nation . Retrieved Nov 10 .2006 from www.fao.org
[3] Obabire, O.E. (2007). Cassava Processing Techniques and Household Food Security of Women Processors of Ogun State, University of Ibadan Ph.D Thesis
[4] IFPRI 2002. Ending Hunger in Africa: Only Small Farmer can do it. Inrenational Food Research Policy Institutes (IFPRI), Washington DC.
[5] Pinstrup-Anderson; Randya-Lorch, R. and Rosegraut M. 2001. Global Food Security. A Review of challenges. In: Pinstrup Anderson and Pandya-Lorch (eds.) The unfinished Agenda. Perspectives on Overcoming hunger poverty and empowerment degradation. Interntional Food Policy Research Institute (IFRRI). Washington Dc., p. 7-17.
[6] Apantaku S.O. Awotunde and Folorun, M.A. (2001). Target Agencies, Awareness and Implementation of Universities Agricultural Based Research Recommendtion. Asset Series (2), p. 141-150.
[7] Lawal A.O 2008 Information and Communication Technology Usage in Research - Extension-Farmers Linkages system for Agricultural Development in South West Nigeria Unpublished Ph,d Thesis of University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria
[8] Dada, O.M. and Adedoyin, S.F. (2006). Constraints militating against the attainment of household food and nutrition security in Ogun State. Proceeding of the Fifteenth Annual Congress of the Nigeria Rural Sociological Association, pp. 65-72.
[9] Hubbard, M. (1995). Improving Food Security. A Guide for Rural Manager Intermediate. Tech. Pub., London, U.K. pp. vii, 1-7.
[10] Bertolini, R. (2004). Making Information and Communication Technologies Work for Food Security in Africa: International Food Policy Research Institutes.
[11] Michiels, I.S. and Van Crowder, L. 2001. Discovering the Magic Box. Local Appropriation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations SD Dimensions Special. www.fao.org/sd/.