Determinants of utilization of mobile phones for agricultural information support services among food crop farmers in Albasu LGA, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the determinants of utilization of mobile phones for agricultural information services among food crop farmers in the Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to select one hundred and twenty (120) food crop farmers. Primary data was collected on the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, information needs, utilization of mobile phones, and constraints. The results revealed that the mean age was 39.83 years. Most (91.7%) of the respondents were males and the mean year of experience was 15.27. Most (68.3%) of the respondents had formal education. The respondents needed different types of information. The respondents utilized mainly mobile phone voice calls (1.63) and short message services (1.06). Lack of skills (1.48), poor mobile network (1.44), low income (1.53), and lack of education (1.47) were the main constraints to the use of mobile phones. Information needs (β = 0.413, t = 5.707, p < 0.001), education (β = 0.281, t = 4.110, p< 0.001), and membership of association (β = 0.149, t = 2.193, p< 0.05) were significant positive predictors of utilization of mobile phones. The constraints to the use of mobile phone was a significant negative predictor of utilization of mobile phones (β = - 0.193, t = -2.599, p < 0.05). The study recommended the need for farmers’ organizations or extension agencies to train food crop farmers on the use of other mobile phone functions to maximize their potential for obtaining and sharing agricultural information.