INFORMATION ANS
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY(ICT) UTILIZATION IN AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
to the study
The role of information in our societies today
cannot be overemphasized. This is due to rapid growth in the area of
Information and Communication Technology (ICTs). As it is popularly said that
knowledge is power and knowledge cannot be separated from information, infact
information is the basic necessity of maximally harness the factors of
production (Khalid 2013). Also Ezeh (2013) confirmed in his opinion that
information remains one of the basic needs of life.
Nnadi (2012) defined agricultural
information as a collection of Knowledge on agriculture in general and that
this knowledge encompasses ideas, innovations and technologies of policies in
all areas of agriculture. It is important to note that the standard of living
of having them gain access to information. This is because their abilities lie
in the level of information available to them and they will always remain
handicap without information (Muhammad, 2007).
To further assert this, Gopala
(2012) explained that the substances farmers use in making choices in their
practices is made available via agricultural information. A lack of this
information remains a major but silent setback in the agricultural sector. To
maintain steady progress, farmers must be well informed as well as take
positive steps in – line with the information (Ezeh,
2013).
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
The penetration of information and communication
technology in Nigeria is on the increase but Nigerian farmers have limited access
and use of these technologies in their agricultural activities. These
information and communication technologies includes but not limited to
integrated peer management control, high
yielding technologies and efficiency in land use (Nnadi, 2012).
The
Nigerian government has formulated diverse policies and schemes to foster
private sectors and foreign investors’ participation towards subsidizing and making
more viable information and communication technologies having recognized how
important they are in agriculture. One of these schemes are recorded by Ezeh
(2013) is the growth enhancement support scheme (GES)
introduction by Nigerian government in 2012 to facilitate and provide farmers
with valuable information and product as well as monitoring their progress via
mobile phones.
Apart
from the effort towards embracing emerging information and communication
technology, it is evident that Kogi State of Nigeria is not lagging behind (Oladunjoye 2013). However, aside from the existence
of these technologies, there has been problem of accessibility for farmers and
many others who may want to utilize them for agricultural purposes. It
therefore remains uncertain whether Information and Communication Technologies
are effectively utilized by farmers in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi
State for lack of accessibility.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of
the study
The aim of this study is to determine the level
of ICT utilization in agricultural information dissemination in Yagba West
Local Government, Kogi State.
The specific objectives are:
1.
To identify the types of Information and Communication Technologies
available for agricultural information dissemination in Yagba West Local
Government Area, Kogi State.
2.
To determine the level of accessibility of Information and Communication
Technologies by farmers in Yagba West Local Government Area, Kogi State.
3.
To investigate the level of utilization of Information and
Communication Technologies in obtaining agricultural information by farmers in
Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
4.
To identify the available constraints to effective utilization of
Information and Communication Technologies in agricultural information
dissemination in Yagba west LGA.
5.
To find solutions to the problems affecting the ICT utilization in
agricultural information dissemination.
1.4 Research
Questions
This study will be
guided by the following research questions.
1.
What types of modern ICTs infrastructures are available for
agricultural information dissemination in Yagba West Local Government Area,
Kogi State?
2.
What is the accessibility of these ICTs infrastructures by farmers in
Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State?
3.
What is the level of utilization of Information and Communication
Technologies in obtaining agricultural information by farmers in Yagba West
Local Government Area of Kogi State?
4.
What are the available constraints to effective utilization of ICT in
agricultural information dissemination in Yagba West Local Government Area of
Kogi State?
5.
What are the possible solutions to the problems affecting the ICT
utilization in agricultural information dissemination?
1.5 Justification for the Study
Since the use of ICT to tackle
rural development and agriculture challenges is still new, and is constantly
changing in nature, the amount of research done on ICT utilization in
Agricultural information dissemination is limited and scare to find.
The findings and recommendations of this
research, if implemented, will benefit not only the people of Yagba West LGA
but the whole Nigerians. It will expose the farmers and other stakeholder to
the vast opportunities available in the areas of ICT as regards agricultural
information generation and dissemination. It would equally increase the number
of Nigerians that would have access to vital information on agriculture. In addition, this study will add to the
existing literatures on ICT utilization in agricultural information
dissemination and will provide an in-depth knowledge to researchers and readers
alike.
1.6 Delimitation of the Study
The
scope of this research borders on ICT utilization in agricultural information
dissemination in Yagba West Local Government Area, Kogi State. The bordering of
this research also extended to include the various ICT resources being used to
disseminate information pertaining to agriculture to the Communities in Yagba
West LGA.
Considering
the broad nature of the topic, the study focuses on the farmers in the towns
and villages (districts) under Yagba West LGA Yagba West Local Government. The
studied districts in Yagba West LGA Yagba West Local Government include: Egbe,
Ere, Omi, Eri, Oga, Iyamerin, Ejiba, Igbaruku, and Akata
Operation Definition of Terms:
Agricultural extension: Educational services which bring new technologies and disseminate
agricultural information to farming communities to enable them improve their
production, incomes and standards of living.
Agricultural information: Verifiable
and reliable factual data about agriculture including reports as well as
opinions.
Agricultural Information Dissemination: Making information about agriculture accessible
to the farmers in Yagba west LGA.
Dissemination: This is the spread of information, knowledge, etc. so that it reaches
many farmers in Yagba west LGA, Kogi State.
Farmer: A person who grow crops, rear animals in Yagba West Local Government
Area.
ICT infrastructures: Communication devices such as radio, television, phones, e – book, computers and satellite.
Utilization: Make practical and effective use of something to
its fullest extent.