Constraints to use of mobile telephony for agricultural production in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study identifies the factors affecting the use of mobile telephony by small-scale farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study describes the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the farmers, examines their access to telecommunications services, determines their frequency of using mobile telephony for agricultural activities as well as the factors affecting the use of the technology by the farmers. The study made use of 170 randomly selected farmers across the state. Descriptive statistics, likert scale and multivariate logit model were the analytical tools adopted for the study. The findings revealed that non-membership of agricultural society, inadequate extension services, fluctuating telecommunication services, inadequate access to mobile services and lack of electric power supply are the constraints to the use of mobile telephone services by the farmers. Therefore, the study calls for provision of stable services by mobile telecommunications service providers, regular electric power supply, training of the farmers by extension agents and agricultural development agencies as well as formation of agricultural societies by the farmers.