An investigation on computer and internet use for agricultural development in rural areas: A case study for Tokat Province in Turkey

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the familiarity of the people to computer and internet technologies and for what purposes they use these technologies in rural areas of Tokat Province, Turkey. How people approach these technologies and what socio-economic features affect their use, were also determined. The main data used in the study were collected from a face-to-face questionnaire administered to over 184 people. Based on the results of this study, 36.00% of the individuals in the questionnaire used computer and internet, and the major purpose of the computer’s usage was to access the internet. It was determined that these technologies were not used efficiently to develop rural life, agricultural production and professional and personal development. Based on the findings, there was a strong relationship between computer and internet use and social and economic characteristics of the individuals. It was concluded that in order for computer and internet technologies to be used most efficiently in rural areas, fast and planned training studies should be implemented, necessary infrastructure should be developed and examples of successful uses in agricultural production should be shown to people.

Key words: Computer, internet, agricultural production, rural development.