Mobile phone use for farm-related activities by ethnic minority farmers during the Covid-19 pandemic in Quang Tri Province, Central Vietnam

Abstract

This study explores the use of mobile phones for farm-related activities of ethnic minority farmers in Quang Tri province, Central Vietnam, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A random sampling strategy was used to select 180 ethnic farmers, different by gender, age, and education level, to interview using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results indicate ethnic minority farmers used mobile phones for various purposes related to agriculture through phone calls and social media platforms (Facebook, Zalo, YouTube, etc.). Mobile phones have become essential for farmers to access and exchange market information, receive weather information, get extension advisories, learn new farming practices and technologies, contact and buy farm inputs, etc. There was a statistically significant association between gender, age, and education level with the purposes of mobile phone usage. Young and highly educated farmers should be prioritized in digital service development strategies since they are the pioneers who will be the leading groups of farmers in terms of using mobile phones for farm-related activities. Furthermore, the significance of female farmers’ mobile phone use should not be overlooked, as when women have access to these devices, they can use them for various farming tasks to improve their agricultural production.