Information Communication Technologies Availability, Accessibility and Use of Print Technologies by Male and Female Farmers in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the availability, accessibility and use of print technologies by male and female farmers in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to identify the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers in the study area; identify ICTs in print technologies available to the farmers and ascertain the use of print technologies available to the farmers. The instrument for data collection was a pre-tested questionnaire while stratified random sampling technique was employed in selecting a sample size of 114 farmers. The data generated were analyzed with descriptive (frequencies, percentages and mean) and inferential (t-test) statistical tools. The result showed that the farmers are ageing and majority (51.75%) are males. The level of education attained by majority (75.44%) could not guarantee their adoption of new farm technologies emanating from print technologies. Majority (59.65%) of the farmers are small-scaled and have varying years of farm experience. Newspaper, posters, calendars and diaries with percentages ratings of 56.1, 31.6, 31.6 and 31.6 respectively are print technologies available in the study area. However, male farmers have edge over the female farmers in having access to print technologies. The test of the hypothesis revealed that there is significant difference in the mean responses of male and female farmers on the use of available print technologies ICTs facilities in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State (calculated t (4.25)> tabulated t (1.90). Thus the null hypothesis was rejected. It was recommended that female farmers who are handicapped educationally in the use of print technologies should be encouraged to find time and participate in adult literacy programme.