Rural Women Rice Farmers' Perceptions of Information and Communication Technologies for Enhancing Agricultural Practices in North Central
Keywords:
ICT, Use, Perception, Women, Rice and Agricultural Practices
Abstract
This study examines the perceptions of rural women rice farmers on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in enhancing agricultural practices in Northcentral Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select the farming communities for the study. Three L.G.A. were selected from each state based on the volume of rice production and the number of women involved in farming. The sample size of the study was 450 women rice farmers from 45 communities made up of 50 farmers from each of the L.G.A. The most commonly used ICT tools were public address systems, radios, and mobile phones. The results showed that more than 50% of the respondents attest to ICT playing a significant role in decision-making, access to financial services, and knowledge sharing all of which positively impact agricultural practices. Regression analysis revealed that socio-economic factors such as marital status, education, farming experience, household size, and cooperative membership influence the use of ICT, accounting for 15.52% of the variation in use. However, barriers such as poor network connectivity (mean = 0.803) and high costs (mean = 0.795) limit broader ICT adoption. Addressing these challenges could empower rural women farmers and increase agricultural productivity. The study recommends that government and agricultural agencies improve the accuracy, relevance, and timeliness of information shared via ICT platforms, particularly focusing on climate data, market trends, and best farming practices that are easily accessible to rural women. In addition, Policymakers should consider creating specific policies that support the digital inclusion of rural women in agriculture.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Abdullah, F., Ward, R., & Ahmed, E. (2016). Investigating the influence of the most commonly used external variables of TAM on students’ Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU) of e-portfolios. Computers in human behavior, 63, 75-90.
Achukwu, G. A., Sennuga, S. O., Bamidele, J., Alabuja, F. O., Osho-Lagunju, B. & Banarbas, T. M. (2023) Factors affecting the rate of adoption of agricultural technology among small scale rice farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT, Nigeria, Journal of Agricultural Science and Practice, 3(5), 56-71
Adeyemi, S. O., Sennuga, S. O., Alabuja, F. O., & Bankole, O. L. (2023). Technology usage and awareness among smallholder farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria. Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science, 11(3), 54-59.
Ajah, J., Unamba, F. C., Sennuga, S. O., Bamidele, J., Onjewu, S. S. & Omole, A. O. (2023). Socio-Economic Factors Affecting the Adoption of Farm Chemicals by Small-Scale Rice Farmers in Abuja, Journal of Agricultural Science and Practice, 8(4), 70-79. 81.
Aker, J. C., & Mbiti, I. M. (2010). Mobile phones and economic development in Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(3), 207-232.
Akintobi, O. S., & Aimienoho, O. O. (2020). Factors Militating against Youth Involvement in Agricultural-based Livelihood in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science, 8(5), 130-143.
Ani, K. J., Anyika, V. O., & Mutambara, E. (2022). The impact of climate change on food and human security in Nigeria. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 14(2), 148-167.
Anyoha, N., Chikaire, J., Godson Ibeji, C., Ogueri, E., & Utazi, C. (2018). Information and Communication Technology Roles in Improving Women Farmers Access to Agricultural/Agribusiness Services in Orlu Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria. Curr Inves Agri Curr Res 3 (4)-2018. CIACR. MS. ID. 000170. DOI: 10.32474/CIACR. 2018.03. 000170. 424. Marketing, 83, 75-4.
Bagozzi, R. P. (2007). The legacy of the technology acceptance model and a proposal for a paradigm shift. Journal of the association for information systems, 8(4), 13-25.
Benyam, A. A., Soma, T., & Fraser, E. (2021). Digital agricultural technologies for food loss and waste prevention and reduction: Global trends, adoption opportunities and barriers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 323, 129-199.
Bryceson, D. F. (2018). Agrarian Labour and Resources in Sub-Saharan Africa.Gender and Generational Change within Family Farms, 1980–2015
Davis, F.D. (1989). “Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology”. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), pp. 319-340,
Das, R. E.& Ganesh, I.O. (2022). Role of ICTs in Agriculture Knowledge Management. 3. 1-20.
Dinesh, D. Frid-Nielsen, S., Norman, J., Mutamba, M., Loboguerrero Rodriguez, A. M. & Campbell, B. M. (2016). Is climate-smart agriculture effective? A review of selected cases. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/67909
Ekwe A, A, Uche-Mba, U. & Akinnagbe, O. (2018). Use of information communication technologies (ICTs) among researchers, extension workers and farmers in Abia and Enugu States: Implications for a national agricultural extension policy on ICTs States. Journal of Agricultural Extension. 12(4): 37-49.
Fadiji, T.O. (2017). Analysis of Problems and solutions to the usage of ICT components among frontline extension agents in Nigeria. 4(2): 9-21.
Fuentes-Peñailillo, F., Gutter, K., Vega, R., & Silva, G. C. (2024). Transformative technologies in digital agriculture: Leveraging Internet of Things, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence for smart crop management. Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks, 13(4), 39.
Idu, E. E., Ola, I. A., Sennuga, S. O., Bamidele, J., Alabuja, F. O., Osho-Lagunju, B., Preyor, T. J. & Omole, A.O. (2023). Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Among Smallholder Rice Farmers in Kuje Area council, Abuja, Nigeria, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 7(6), 1025-1036
Islam, M. S., & Grönlund, Å. (2011). Factors influencing the adoption of mobile phones among the farmers in Bangladesh: Theories and practices. The International Journal on Advances in ICT for Emerging Regions, 4(1).
Jain, R., Ahuja, U. R., & Kumar, A. (2012). ICTs and farm women: Access, use, and impact. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 67(3), 385-394.
Jöhr, H. (2012). Where Are the Future Farmers to Grow Our Food? International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 15,9-11.
Kalba, K. (2008).The Adoption of Mobile Phones in Emerging Markets: Global Diffusion and the Rural Challenge”. International Journal of Communication, 2, 631- 661
Kante, M., Oboko, R., & Chepken, C. (2019). An ICT model for increased adoption of farm input information in developing countries: A case in Sikasso, Mali. Information processing in agriculture, 6(1), 26-46.
Mapiye, O., Makombe, G., Molotsi, A., Dzama, K., & Mapiye, C. (2023). Information and communication technologies (ICTs): The potential for enhancing the dissemination of agricultural information and services to smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Information Development, 39(3), 638-658.
Mamun-Ur-Rashid, Md. (2020). Smallholder farmer's use of ICTs and Influencing factors on climate-smart agriculture information in a selected coastal area of Bangladesh. 32, 140-152.
Muzari, W. (2016). Gender disparities and the role of women in smallholder agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Science and Research, 5(1), 1869-1873.
Marvelous, G. (2023). Challenges and Opportunities for ICT Adoption in Rural Areas of Nigeriahttps://webmanager.ng/blog/challenges-for-ICT-adoption-in-ruralNigeria/Assessed 17/10/2024.
Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (2012) Nigeria Rice Production (2008-2012).Accessed 15/10/2024
National Population Commission (2006). “Enumerator’s manual‟, March.Est.2016.
Nayyar, T., Aggarwal, S., Khatter, D., Kumar, K., Goswami, S., & Saini, L. (2019). Opportunities and challenges in digital literacy: Assessing the impact of digital literacy training for empowering urban poor women. University of Delhi.
Nkechi, N. P., Sennuga, S. O.& Franklin, O. E. (2022). Evaluation of small-scale women farmers’ utilization of ICT in accessing agricultural information in Gwagwalada area council, Abuja, Nigeria. Green Report3:34-58.
Ojoko, E. A., Akinwunmi, J. A., Yusuf, S. A., & Oni, O. A. (2017). Factors influencing the level of use of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) in Sokoto state, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade, 62(3), 315-327.
Okeke, M. N., Nwoye, I. I., & Kadiri, A. O. (2020). Assessment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Utilization among Rural Women Rice Farmers in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research, 8(5), 415-422.
Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, B., & Adeya, C. N. (2004). Dynamics of adoption and usage of ICTs in African universities: a study of Kenya and Nigeria. Technovation, 24(10), 841-851.
Oyediji, B. I., Yekinni, T., Sennuga, S. O. & Bamidele, J. (2024). Factor influencing the attitude of poultry farmers towards credit services in in South-Western, Nigeria, African Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture,4 (2), 106-119.
Oyelami, L.O., Sofoluwe, N.A. & Ajeigbe, O.M. (2022). ICT and agricultural sector performance: empirical evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. Futur Bus J 8,18-35
Peng, T. S., Lyndon, N., Taib, H. M., Basaruddin, N. H., Aman, Z., Gan, S., & Tahir, Z. (2024). How Does Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Affect Oil Palm Agricultural Practices?. Geografia, 20(3), 99-121
Rambod A, Nastaran R, Siva K. B, Arash, B. S., & Hazandy, A. H. (2023) Application of digital technologies for ensuring agricultural productivity, Heliyon,9 (12), 34-50
Routray, S. K., & Mohanty, S. (2024). Information and communications technology for a sustainable world. IEEE Potentials.
Sennuga, S. O., Ojewole, G. O., Bamidele, J., Alabuja, F. O., Abdulahi, R. O., Iheonu, M. E., & Chinwuba, M. A. (2023). Women Participation in Household Food Security in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture & Education Research, 1(1), 1-16
Sharma, V., Tripathi, A. K., & Mittal, H. (2022). Technological revolutions in smart farming: Current trends, challenges & future directions. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 201, 107217.
Singh, P., Tewari, P., & Verma, D. (2018). Perception of rural women towards Information Communication Technologies.
Wamae, D. P. W. (2023). Utilization of Agricultural Information by Rice Farmers In Garun-Mallam, Kano State Nigeria. Department of Health Information Management Rivers State College Of Health Science And Management Technology (Rschsmt), 1(1), 1-17
Waverman, L. (2015). Polarization of Job Losses: Canada and the USA, the Role of ICT. Digiworld Economic Journal, (100), 165.
Zougmoré, R. B., & Partey, S. T. (2022). Gender perspectives of ICT utilization in Agriculture and Climate Response in West Africa: A review. Sustainability, 14(19), 12240.
Achukwu, G. A., Sennuga, S. O., Bamidele, J., Alabuja, F. O., Osho-Lagunju, B. & Banarbas, T. M. (2023) Factors affecting the rate of adoption of agricultural technology among small scale rice farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT, Nigeria, Journal of Agricultural Science and Practice, 3(5), 56-71
Adeyemi, S. O., Sennuga, S. O., Alabuja, F. O., & Bankole, O. L. (2023). Technology usage and awareness among smallholder farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria. Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science, 11(3), 54-59.
Ajah, J., Unamba, F. C., Sennuga, S. O., Bamidele, J., Onjewu, S. S. & Omole, A. O. (2023). Socio-Economic Factors Affecting the Adoption of Farm Chemicals by Small-Scale Rice Farmers in Abuja, Journal of Agricultural Science and Practice, 8(4), 70-79. 81.
Aker, J. C., & Mbiti, I. M. (2010). Mobile phones and economic development in Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(3), 207-232.
Akintobi, O. S., & Aimienoho, O. O. (2020). Factors Militating against Youth Involvement in Agricultural-based Livelihood in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science, 8(5), 130-143.
Ani, K. J., Anyika, V. O., & Mutambara, E. (2022). The impact of climate change on food and human security in Nigeria. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 14(2), 148-167.
Anyoha, N., Chikaire, J., Godson Ibeji, C., Ogueri, E., & Utazi, C. (2018). Information and Communication Technology Roles in Improving Women Farmers Access to Agricultural/Agribusiness Services in Orlu Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria. Curr Inves Agri Curr Res 3 (4)-2018. CIACR. MS. ID. 000170. DOI: 10.32474/CIACR. 2018.03. 000170. 424. Marketing, 83, 75-4.
Bagozzi, R. P. (2007). The legacy of the technology acceptance model and a proposal for a paradigm shift. Journal of the association for information systems, 8(4), 13-25.
Benyam, A. A., Soma, T., & Fraser, E. (2021). Digital agricultural technologies for food loss and waste prevention and reduction: Global trends, adoption opportunities and barriers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 323, 129-199.
Bryceson, D. F. (2018). Agrarian Labour and Resources in Sub-Saharan Africa.Gender and Generational Change within Family Farms, 1980–2015
Davis, F.D. (1989). “Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology”. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), pp. 319-340,
Das, R. E.& Ganesh, I.O. (2022). Role of ICTs in Agriculture Knowledge Management. 3. 1-20.
Dinesh, D. Frid-Nielsen, S., Norman, J., Mutamba, M., Loboguerrero Rodriguez, A. M. & Campbell, B. M. (2016). Is climate-smart agriculture effective? A review of selected cases. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/67909
Ekwe A, A, Uche-Mba, U. & Akinnagbe, O. (2018). Use of information communication technologies (ICTs) among researchers, extension workers and farmers in Abia and Enugu States: Implications for a national agricultural extension policy on ICTs States. Journal of Agricultural Extension. 12(4): 37-49.
Fadiji, T.O. (2017). Analysis of Problems and solutions to the usage of ICT components among frontline extension agents in Nigeria. 4(2): 9-21.
Fuentes-Peñailillo, F., Gutter, K., Vega, R., & Silva, G. C. (2024). Transformative technologies in digital agriculture: Leveraging Internet of Things, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence for smart crop management. Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks, 13(4), 39.
Idu, E. E., Ola, I. A., Sennuga, S. O., Bamidele, J., Alabuja, F. O., Osho-Lagunju, B., Preyor, T. J. & Omole, A.O. (2023). Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Among Smallholder Rice Farmers in Kuje Area council, Abuja, Nigeria, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 7(6), 1025-1036
Islam, M. S., & Grönlund, Å. (2011). Factors influencing the adoption of mobile phones among the farmers in Bangladesh: Theories and practices. The International Journal on Advances in ICT for Emerging Regions, 4(1).
Jain, R., Ahuja, U. R., & Kumar, A. (2012). ICTs and farm women: Access, use, and impact. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 67(3), 385-394.
Jöhr, H. (2012). Where Are the Future Farmers to Grow Our Food? International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 15,9-11.
Kalba, K. (2008).The Adoption of Mobile Phones in Emerging Markets: Global Diffusion and the Rural Challenge”. International Journal of Communication, 2, 631- 661
Kante, M., Oboko, R., & Chepken, C. (2019). An ICT model for increased adoption of farm input information in developing countries: A case in Sikasso, Mali. Information processing in agriculture, 6(1), 26-46.
Mapiye, O., Makombe, G., Molotsi, A., Dzama, K., & Mapiye, C. (2023). Information and communication technologies (ICTs): The potential for enhancing the dissemination of agricultural information and services to smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Information Development, 39(3), 638-658.
Mamun-Ur-Rashid, Md. (2020). Smallholder farmer's use of ICTs and Influencing factors on climate-smart agriculture information in a selected coastal area of Bangladesh. 32, 140-152.
Muzari, W. (2016). Gender disparities and the role of women in smallholder agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Science and Research, 5(1), 1869-1873.
Marvelous, G. (2023). Challenges and Opportunities for ICT Adoption in Rural Areas of Nigeriahttps://webmanager.ng/blog/challenges-for-ICT-adoption-in-ruralNigeria/Assessed 17/10/2024.
Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (2012) Nigeria Rice Production (2008-2012).Accessed 15/10/2024
National Population Commission (2006). “Enumerator’s manual‟, March.Est.2016.
Nayyar, T., Aggarwal, S., Khatter, D., Kumar, K., Goswami, S., & Saini, L. (2019). Opportunities and challenges in digital literacy: Assessing the impact of digital literacy training for empowering urban poor women. University of Delhi.
Nkechi, N. P., Sennuga, S. O.& Franklin, O. E. (2022). Evaluation of small-scale women farmers’ utilization of ICT in accessing agricultural information in Gwagwalada area council, Abuja, Nigeria. Green Report3:34-58.
Ojoko, E. A., Akinwunmi, J. A., Yusuf, S. A., & Oni, O. A. (2017). Factors influencing the level of use of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) in Sokoto state, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade, 62(3), 315-327.
Okeke, M. N., Nwoye, I. I., & Kadiri, A. O. (2020). Assessment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Utilization among Rural Women Rice Farmers in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research, 8(5), 415-422.
Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, B., & Adeya, C. N. (2004). Dynamics of adoption and usage of ICTs in African universities: a study of Kenya and Nigeria. Technovation, 24(10), 841-851.
Oyediji, B. I., Yekinni, T., Sennuga, S. O. & Bamidele, J. (2024). Factor influencing the attitude of poultry farmers towards credit services in in South-Western, Nigeria, African Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture,4 (2), 106-119.
Oyelami, L.O., Sofoluwe, N.A. & Ajeigbe, O.M. (2022). ICT and agricultural sector performance: empirical evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. Futur Bus J 8,18-35
Peng, T. S., Lyndon, N., Taib, H. M., Basaruddin, N. H., Aman, Z., Gan, S., & Tahir, Z. (2024). How Does Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Affect Oil Palm Agricultural Practices?. Geografia, 20(3), 99-121
Rambod A, Nastaran R, Siva K. B, Arash, B. S., & Hazandy, A. H. (2023) Application of digital technologies for ensuring agricultural productivity, Heliyon,9 (12), 34-50
Routray, S. K., & Mohanty, S. (2024). Information and communications technology for a sustainable world. IEEE Potentials.
Sennuga, S. O., Ojewole, G. O., Bamidele, J., Alabuja, F. O., Abdulahi, R. O., Iheonu, M. E., & Chinwuba, M. A. (2023). Women Participation in Household Food Security in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture & Education Research, 1(1), 1-16
Sharma, V., Tripathi, A. K., & Mittal, H. (2022). Technological revolutions in smart farming: Current trends, challenges & future directions. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 201, 107217.
Singh, P., Tewari, P., & Verma, D. (2018). Perception of rural women towards Information Communication Technologies.
Wamae, D. P. W. (2023). Utilization of Agricultural Information by Rice Farmers In Garun-Mallam, Kano State Nigeria. Department of Health Information Management Rivers State College Of Health Science And Management Technology (Rschsmt), 1(1), 1-17
Waverman, L. (2015). Polarization of Job Losses: Canada and the USA, the Role of ICT. Digiworld Economic Journal, (100), 165.
Zougmoré, R. B., & Partey, S. T. (2022). Gender perspectives of ICT utilization in Agriculture and Climate Response in West Africa: A review. Sustainability, 14(19), 12240.
Published
2024-10-27
How to Cite
Bako, H., T.O., F., E.E., I., & T.M., B. (2024). Rural Women Rice Farmers’ Perceptions of Information and Communication Technologies for Enhancing Agricultural Practices in North Central. GPH-International Journal of Agriculture and Research, 7(09), 10-25. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14000273
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2024 GPH-International Journal of Agriculture and Research
Author(s) and co-author(s) jointly and severally represent and warrant that the Article is original with the author(s) and does not infringe any copyright or violate any other right of any third parties, and that the Article has not been published elsewhere. Author(s) agree to the terms that the GPH Journal will have the full right to remove the published article on any misconduct found in the published article.
