PERCEIVED ROLE OF ICT IN ENHANCING AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION AMONG RURAL FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated Information and Communication Technologies ICTs as a tool to improve access to agricultural information in a broader sense. It also tried to trace the connection between the use of ICTs and changes in food security conditions among rural farming households in Delta State, Nigeria, more or less. A descriptive survey approach was used, and data were collected from 300 respondents via a structured yet validated questionnaire. The questionnaire showed strong internal consistency; in fact, Cronbach’s alpha was 0.86 for ICT Usage and Literacy, 0.81 for Application Trackers, 0.88 for Perceived Utility of ICT Services, and 0.84 for Food Security Indicators. Overall reliability was reported as 0.76, which sounds quite acceptable. After collecting everything, the data were processed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and regression analysis. The results suggest a fairly strong positive attitude toward ICTs, particularly mobile phones, radio, and television, for instance, in helping deliver agricultural information on time and in a more relevant way. The average scores further suggest that ICT tools support access to extension services, weather alerts, pest management skills, and market price updates. The study further shows statistically significant differences in agricultural productivity and food security when the number of ICT tools used is taken into account (F(2, 297) = 15.67, p < .001). In these results, the higher ICT users reported stronger outcomes than those with low or moderate use. In the end, the study suggests that adopting ICT is an important lever for stronger food security and recommends policies that expand rural ICT infrastructure, promote digital literacy, and embed ICT services directly into agricultural extension programs.