Determinants of mobile phones usage for agricultural purposes among arable crop farmers in Iwo zone of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the socio-economic factors underlining arable crop famers' use of mobile phones for agricultural-related purposes in Iwo Agricultural Development Program (ADP) Zone of Osun State. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 150 arable crop farmers from whom primary data were collected with structured interview schedule. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression analysis. Findings from this study revealed that most frequently used applications include voice call (99.3%), calendar (96.7%), calculator (96%) and torch light (95.3%). Most of the farmers strongly consented that mobile phones facilitated timely access to needed services (𝑋̅ = 4.74), eased production decision making (𝑋̅ = 4.54), enhanced increased income and profit (𝑋̅ = 4.50) and accessing personalized information about new farming techniques (𝑋̅ = 4.44). Major constraints identified for limiting the usage of phones for agricultural purposes were poor internet access (𝑋̅ = 3.73), inadequate electricity to charge t he mobile phone (𝑋̅ = 3.55), poor network access (𝑋̅ = 3.54) and high charges on services (𝑋̅ = 3.41). Gender (b= 4.337; P˂ .01), level of education (b= 16.358; P˂ .01), years of farming (b= 0.513; P˂.05), information sources (b= 0.645; P˂.01) all jointly had positive influence on farmers' use of mobile phones for agricultural information. It was recommended that higher capacity of female and arable crop farmers with lower level of education should be energized to utilize their mobile phones for enhancing their production activities.