MOBILE PHONES AND AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION DISSEMINATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study explores mobile phone usage for communicating agricultural information to farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, regarding the usage level, the information accessed, and the challenges faced. Specifically, the study aimed to find out the level of farmers' usage of mobile phones for agricultural purposes, the agricultural information accessed through mobile phones, and the constraints to effective usage. To conceptualise the study, Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Uses and Gratifications Theory were used to analyse the adoption of mobile phones among farmers and to assess mobile communication to satisfy their information needs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted and out of the 70,535 let farmers in the Akwa Ibom State Agriculture Development Project (AKADEP) register, 400 farmers were selected through multistage sampling. Questionnaires were used to collect data that were analysed using frequency and percentages. The study found that 70% of farmers use mobile phones for accessing agricultural information The least accessed information was weather (5%) and crop/livestock advisory (4%) and the most accessed was financial and institutional information (51%) and market prices (22%). The most common challenges were high airtime/data costs (23%) and low literacy and language barriers (21%). The study concluded that mobile phones are important for agricultural communication, but their effectiveness requires more relevance, institutional support, and accessibility. To improve information access and farm decision-making, it's recommended that farmers receive training tailored to local needs using voice messages in local languages, as well as improving network coverage and connections with extension services.