Information Technology in Agriculture
Narisi Mubangizi; Florence Birungi Kyazze; Paul Isolo Mukwaya
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Winter 2018, , Pages 29-42
Abstract
Proper use of climatic forecast information in planning and implementing agricultural activities is critical for the improvement of the wellbeing of smallholder farmers whose livelihoods depend on rain-fed agriculture. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design involving 12 focus group ...
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Proper use of climatic forecast information in planning and implementing agricultural activities is critical for the improvement of the wellbeing of smallholder farmers whose livelihoods depend on rain-fed agriculture. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design involving 12 focus group discussions and 255 household interviews to determine the extent to which smallholder farmers in Mount Elgon Region of Eastern Uganda accessed and used climate forecast information. Results showed that 84% of the farmers had received scientific climate information especially on timing of onset and cessation of rainfall and likelihood of landslides. The information was mainly accessed through radio and rarely from extension workers and fellow farmers. Over 60% of farmers considered the different types of climatic forecast information received to be less reliable and inappropriately timed relative to their needs and this barred most of them from applying it in their agricultural production decisions. The likelihood to use climate forecast information was enhanced by farmers' formal education, ownership of a radio set, perception that the information was reliable and timely. Thus efforts to enhance farmers’ use of rainfall forecast information customize it to the needs of the targeted farmers.
Rural and Agricultural Sociology
Ufedo Shaibu; Mohammed Ibrahim
Volume 7, Issue 1 , Spring 2017, , Pages 11-17
Abstract
The study analyzed farm households’ access and utilization of government health facilities in Kogi State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socioeconomic characteristics of farm households, determined the level of accessibility to health facilities by farm households, and determined the factors ...
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The study analyzed farm households’ access and utilization of government health facilities in Kogi State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socioeconomic characteristics of farm households, determined the level of accessibility to health facilities by farm households, and determined the factors that drive farm households’ utilization of government health facilities. A two staged random sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) farm households and twenty (20) government-owned health care facilities from four Local Government Areas in the State. Data obtained through structured questionnaire and spot assessments were analyzed using descriptive statistics, indices of accessibility and binary logit regression model. The indices of accessibility revealed that there is unequal access to government health facilities (medical personnel and infrastructure) in the area. The binary logit model indicated that farming experience (p<0.01), distance to health centre (p<0.05), and cost of treatment (p<0.001) negatively influenced the utilization of government health facilities, while gender (p<0.05), education (p<0.05), and numbers of dependants (p<0.05) directly influenced government health care facilities utilization among farm households. It was suggested based on findings from the study that government needs to urgently engage and deploy more medical personnel and facilities to rural areas. Also, intervention programmes such as construction of good access will reduce travelling distance to health facilities.
Agricultural Extension
O. T Yekinni; K. M Sunday; I. O Badiru
Volume 6, Issue 2 , Autumn 2016, , Pages 101-106
Abstract
There is disparity in access to Information and Communication Technologies between male and female especially in developing countries. This study did a gender analysis of access and use of ICTs in Ekiti state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 178 respondents. Data collected were ...
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There is disparity in access to Information and Communication Technologies between male and female especially in developing countries. This study did a gender analysis of access and use of ICTs in Ekiti state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 178 respondents. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test at α0.05. Radio (198.7), mobile phones (186.4) and television (182.9) were the mostly accessed ICT tools. More (30.7%) male had appreciable access to ICTs than (25.6%) female. Also, more (25.6%) male use ICTs appreciably than (23.9%) female and the pattern of ICT preferences (radio, television, and mobile phone) were the same among them. More (35.8%) female had substantial constraints to ICTs than (22.7%) male, and significantly different (t=-3.744) in constraints to ICTs access and use.
