Use of Ict Tools By Onion Farmer’s in Accessing Agricultural Extension Infromation. a Case Study of Harugongo Sub-County, Kabarole District

Abstract

In many developing countries, rural populations are heavily dependent on agriculture as well as different social services for their livelihoods. Just like any other developing country, in Uganda over 80 percent of people living in rural areas largely depend on Agriculture as their main source of income (Gollin & Rogerson, 2010); And yet Uganda’s Agricultural sector is continuously facing numerous challenges as well as constraints in the application and use of ICT tools to access agricultural information. Farmers are working in an information intensive environment and numerous studies have showed that information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play a vital role in the dissemination and transfer of agricultural information to farmers.

This study assessed the use of ICT tools by farmers to access agricultural extension information, where access was measured in the capacity of a farmer being able to utilize ICT tools to search or seek Agricultural extension information. Specifically, the study focused on determining the readily available ICT tools, how well the available ICT tools are being used to access agricultural extension information and determined the farmers’ socio-economic characteristics that influence use of ICT tools. The sample population for the study was drawn from Harugongo Sub county, Kabarole District.

The research was a case study design, both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used with a total 144 onion farmer participant involved in the study and 3 agricultural officers from the district. Two approaches of data collection were employed which included; questionnaire which was the main instrument with closed and open-ended questions and key informant interviews. Completeness and consistency of the collected data was done by review of the completed questionnaires. Coding and analysis of the collected data was done using R software and the findings presented using tables, charts and graphs with their respective interpretation. Ethical issues of getting consent, protecting participant from harm, and confidentiality were considered.

It was found out that 66% of respondents possessed mobile phones and 76% radios while 6% Television which is less owned. The data showed that most farmers occasionally use ICT tools to access agricultural information and the most used ICT tool was a mobile phone(70%), which is mainly used for communication through consulting fellow farmers on farming issues. However, farmers mentioned that they struggle to know where (source) to access agricultural information. Respondents mentioned that ICTs such as radio tend to share agricultural programs at wrong hours of the day which affected farmers attention to access training programs. The results revealed most radios and messages received through text on phones mainly talk about input prices for seeds and who is offering the best price of inputs, leaving out the most relevant information such as use of fertilizers.

The social economic factors that were found to have a positive influence on use of ICT tools include; Education, training in use of ICT tools, on farm income, access to agricultural loans, while Age, Nearest market distance from home and Household size had a negative influence on use of ICT tools to access agricultural information. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers should be considered when planning for different programs that involve ICTs in provision of agricultural information. The district extension system should focus on sensitizing farmers about the sources of information, training how to use ICT tools and design radio programs that are aired at the right time for farmers to listen in.

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