Analyzing socio-economic factors affecting the use of information and communication technologies among farmers in central highlands of Ethiopia (original) (raw)

Currently agricultural sector is the main sector of the economy in Ethiopia. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have been changing the way that actors like researchers, development agents, policy makers, and farmers share agricultural information and knowledge. Particularly, farmers have started to use ICT to get agricultural information and knowledge, despite a number of challenges. Therefore, this study attempted to analyze socioeconomic factors affecting the use of information and communication technologies among farmers in Central Highlands of Ethiopia. Data were collected (n=120) from 120 randomly selected respondents from Tole District, of which 55 were ICT user farmers and 65 of them were non users of ICT. In the study Econometric model (binary logit) was used to analyze data. Qualitative data were analyzed through interpretation, narration, and finally complement the econometric analysis. This study identifies social, economic and institutional factors as the major factors affecting the use of ICT among farmers in the study area. The survey results revealed that age, sex, education status and distance from nearby market have influence on use of ICT in agricultural extension among farmers. The findings also revealed that High cost of ICT tools, lack of electricity, lack of fund, lack of ICTs use training, Lack of ICTs use awareness, poor infrastructure, less extension support, lack of agricultural information and unavailable on time were the major constraints that faced majority of both users and non users of ICT while using ICTs in agricultural extension. The study recommends concerned stakeholders and partners found at different levels should attempt to address those factors influencing the use of ICT among farmers. This study recommends that policymakers at different levels should recognize that farmers are using ICT in addition to traditional ICT like radio and TV. Hence, this fact should be taken as an input for policy formation of ICT in agriculture and rural development in particular and for its usability among farmers.