Awareness of ICT-Based Projects and the Intensity of Use of Mobile Phones Among Smallholder Farmers in Uganda

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Lwasa ◽  
Narathius Asingwire ◽  
Julius Juma Okello ◽  
Joseph Kiwanuka
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Input Markets

As the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is embraced in Uganda, determinants of awareness of ICT based projects remain unknown. The intensity of use of mobile phones among smallholder farmers in the areas where such projects operate is unclear. To address this knowledge gap, 346 smallholder farmers in two ICT project sites in Mayuge and Apac districts were subjected to econometric analysis using bi-variate logistic and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to ascertain determinants of projects’ awareness and intensity of use of mobile phones. The authors find that education, distance to input markets, and membership in a group positively influence awareness. The decision to use a mobile phone for agricultural purposes is affected by distance to electricity and land cultivated and negatively influenced by being a member of any farmer group. Lastly, intensity of mobile phone use is affected by age, farming as the major occupation, and distance to an internet facility, being a member of a project, having participated in an agricultural project before, value of assets, size of land cultivated, possession of a mobile phone, and proximity to agricultural offices. The paper discusses policy implications of these findings.

Awareness of ICT-Based Projects and the Intensity of Use of Mobile Phones Among Smallholder Farmers in Uganda

2013 ◽  
pp. 89-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Lwasa ◽  
Narathius Asingwire ◽  
Julius Juma Okello ◽  
Joseph Kiwanuka
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Input Markets

As the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is embraced in Uganda, determinants of awareness of ICT based projects remain unknown. The intensity of use of mobile phones among smallholder farmers in the areas where such projects operate is unclear. To address this knowledge gap, 346 smallholder farmers in two ICT project sites in Mayuge and Apac districts were subjected to econometric analysis using bi-variate logistic and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to ascertain determinants of projects’ awareness and intensity of use of mobile phones. The authors find that education, distance to input markets, and membership in a group positively influence awareness. The decision to use a mobile phone for agricultural purposes is affected by distance to electricity and land cultivated and negatively influenced by being a member of any farmer group. Lastly, intensity of mobile phone use is affected by age, farming as the major occupation, and distance to an internet facility, being a member of a project, having participated in an agricultural project before, value of assets, size of land cultivated, possession of a mobile phone, and proximity to agricultural offices. The paper discusses policy implications of these findings.

Understanding women’s mobile phone use in rural Kenya: An affordance-based approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Wyche ◽  
Nightingale Simiyu ◽  
Martha E. Othieno
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Mobile Communication ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Rural Kenya ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Definition Of

Increases in mobile phone ownership and Internet access throughout Africa continue to motivate initiatives to use information and communication technologies (ICTs)—in particular, mobile phones—to address long-standing socioeconomic problems in the “developing world.” While it is generally recognized that mobile phones may help to address these problems by providing pertinent information, less widely known is exactly how (and if) a handset’s human–computer interface—that is, its software and hardware design—supports this form of communication. The concept of “affordances” has long been used to answer such questions. In this paper, we use Hartson’s definition of affordances to qualitatively investigate rural Kenyan women’s interactions with their mobile phones. Our detailed analysis provides empirically grounded answers to questions about the cognitive, physical, and sensory affordances of handsets used in our field sites and how they support and/or constrain mobile communication. We then discuss the implications of our findings: in particular, how this affordance-based approach draws attention to mobile phones’ design features and to the context in which they and their users are embedded—a focus which suggests new design and research opportunities in mobile communication.

Use of information and communication technologies by Vietnamese smallholders: Implications for extension strategies

2020 ◽  
pp. 026666692090660
Author(s):  
Hung Gia Hoang
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Central Vietnam ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Ict Tools ◽  
And Gender

In order to facilitate the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for accessing agricultural information by smallholders, it is critical to understand their perspectives on the use of ICT. However, few empirical studies have considered how smallholders utilise ICT in Central Vietnam. This research investigates the Central Vietnamese smallholders’ views on the extent of use of ICT for accessing agricultural information. A sample size of 250 smallholders was randomly selected from a total of 687 smallholders in Trieu Phong district, Central Vietnam. A two-section questionnaire was used to gather data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The smallholders used mobile phones, TV and radio networks/broadcasts as the common ICT tools, and these were also effective ICT tools for accessing agricultural information. Lack of knowledge and skills for using applications on mobile phones were the main challenge to the smallholders’ use of ICT. A statistically significant relationship, existing between the extent of mobile phone use and the smallholders’ age (χ = 10.04, p = 0.040), gender (χ = 5.99, p = 0.014) and the type of households (χ = 6.84, p = 0.033), was found. Similarly, there was a statistically significant relationship existing between the extent of radio network/broadcast use and the smallholders’ age (χ = 9.58, p = 0.048) and gender (χ = 4.83, p = 0.028).

Mobile Phone Technology for ALL: Towards Reducing the Digital Divide

2015 ◽  
pp. 1456-1470
Author(s):  
Diane Nelson Bryen ◽  
Enid Moolman
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Mobile Phone Technology ◽  
Communication Disabilities ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has been ratified by more than 137 countries. Among its 55 articles, access to information and communication technologies is highlighted. However, people with intellectual and communication disabilities continue to have limited access to mobile phone technologies. This article describes the potential of mobile phones for this population and what is known about its use by children and adults with intellectual disabilities as well as those with significant communication disabilities. Policy implications to reduce this digital divide will be proposed as well as needed research.

The impact of mobile phone use on farmers’ livelihoods in post-insurgency Northeast Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 026666691988690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chioma Anadozie ◽  
Mathias Fonkam ◽  
Jean-Paul Cleron ◽  
Muhammadou MO Kah
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Feedback Loops ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Sustainable Livelihoods Framework ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Northeast Nigeria

The most ubiquitous information and communications technology (ICT) in the hands of the common man today is the mobile phone. Most existing literature on the impact of mobile phones in farming has examined the various components of the farming cycle in isolation, and failed to holistically account for the complex interactions and relationships between these components. In this study, we combine the strengths of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) and Systems Theory (ST) as a theoretical lens to understand the impact of mobile phone use in farming and its developmental contributions on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in post-insurgency northeast Nigeria. On the basis of empirical data and literature, we develop a qualitative system dynamics model depicting mobile phone use in farming. The main feedback loops show that the greatest bane to farming in the area is insecurity and climate variability. However, better access to information and communications afforded by mobile phones empowers farmers and enables them to overcome these vulnerabilities. The use of feedback loops in analysis provides rigour and depth to the findings due to their ability to demonstrate the interdependencies between system components. We contribute to knowledge and inform practice by extending the understanding of the impact of mobile phone use in farming through system dynmics modelling.

scholarly journals Understanding The Purpose and Potential Popularity of Mobile Phone Use in Zambia’s Maize Production

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gershom Endelani Mwalupaso ◽  
Xu Tian ◽  
Eunice Matafwali ◽  
Moses Chansa Mwamba ◽  
Essiagnon John-Philippe Alavo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Average Treatment Effect ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Voice Calls

There is a growing use of mobile phones in rural areas on account of its relative inexpensiveness and lack of requirement for an urban environment. As a platform for accessing information through text messages and voice calls, farmers are able to collect agricultural information which may lead to higher productivity due to technology spillover. If the use of mobile phones contributes to the improvement of farmers’ productivity, their agricultural output level should increase. In this study, we investigate the adoption of mobile phones to obtain agricultural information and its effect on smallholder maize farmers’ production using cross-sectional data from Zambia. Understanding such causal effects is indispensable especially against the background of vision 2030. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was adopted to estimate the average treatment effect of treated of mobile phone adoption in agriculture. We found that the use of mobile phones significantly increases farmers’ productivity, by about 30%. If farmers start to adopt mobile phones to collect agricultural information, the total maize output would also increase by 30.36%, which would culminate in feeding two more people per household daily for the whole year. Therefore, we cautiously conclude that mobile phone use in agriculture serves the purpose of contributing to the fight against hunger via enhancing maize production and this is driving its popularity among smallholder farmers in rural Zambia.

scholarly journals Mobile phone-assisted agricultural extension services: User competency and usage frequency in eastern Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (105) ◽  
pp. 18886-18911
Author(s):  
C Nyaplue-Daywhea ◽  
◽  
JK Ahiakpa ◽  
OA Mensah ◽  
F Annor-Frempong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Usage Frequency

Adoption studies have mainly focused on econometric and quantitative modelling that usually assume smallholder farmers competently adopt agricultural technologies. This study provides novel insights on user competency and frequency of usage of mobile telephony for agricultural extension services among smallholder farmers and agricultural extension agents (AEAs) and key factors that impede the adoption process. The study examined users’ competencies and mobile phone usage frequency for access and delivery of agricultural extension services in Eastern Ghana. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 95 AEAs and 330 smallholder farmers in five districts of the Eastern region of Ghana and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression analyses were performed to analyse the data. Results showed substantial differences between AEAs and smallholder farmers’ competency in the use of mobile phones for agricultural extension services. Socio-demographic characteristics of smallholder farmers and AEAs correlated with usage frequency of mobile phones for access to extension services and delivery. Educational level, amount of weekly expenditure of money on mobile phone use, mobile phone network quality, income level, and age of both AEAs and smallholder farmers had positive and significant correlations with frequency of usage of mobile phones. User competency differentially impacts the frequency of mobile phone use in agricultural extension services between AEAs and smallholders. High call tariffs and access to recharge cards are major challenges in using mobile phones for agricultural extension in the study areas. The study shows components of the adoption theory of compatibility, and complexity where an innovation fits within the socio-cultural framework and perceived difficulty of use. Thus, the frequent use of voice calls is indicative of early stages of the diffusion process and may diversify into other applications in the future. Farmer-based organisations should be resourced to support training of farmers to use mobile phones to improve access to agricultural information dissemination. Integrating voice-based agricultural information services (IVRs) into the current SMS-based agricultural extension services in Ghana could potentially boost extension service delivery to smallholder farmers in the Eastern region and across the country. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture may partner with key stakeholders and mobile service providers to offer hands-on capacity building to smallholder farmers and AEAs in video calling/conferencing, multimedia service, and social media to enhance their competencies for improved agricultural extension services.

Adoption and Use of ICTs by Livestock Keepers for Improved Access to Livestock Information

2021 ◽  
pp. 246-268
Author(s):  
Consolata Kemirembe Angello
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Telecommunications Services ◽  
The Government

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are very important tools for economic development and poverty reduction when used effectively by individuals in all economic sectors including agriculture. Urban livestock keepers need ICTs in their activities so that they can make informed decisions that can lead to improvement of the livestock industry. Despite its importance, ICT use is hindered by several factors including unawareness of the radio and television programmes and lack of computer skills. This chapter reveals the extent of use of ICTs by urban and peri-urban livestock keepers whereby different types of ICTs are used by urban livestock keepers to access livestock information, though some ICTs, for example, mobile phones are used more than other ICTs (radio and television). Internet is used by very few livestock keepers due computer illiteracy. Policy implications include improvement of the telecommunications services by the government through relevant bodies in order to facilitate more access to information through mobile phones, radio, television, and the internet.

scholarly journals An investigation into the usage of mobile phones among technical and vocational educational and training students in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Herring Shava ◽  
Willie Chinyamurindi ◽  
Anathi Somdyala
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
And Training

Background: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are gaining popularity in South Africa; this includes the use of mobile phones and the Internet. Mobile phones also seem to be popular with the student cohort of the South African population, especially for communication purposes. Empirical evidence affirms the importance of mobile phones to this cohort, including the need to research further how these groups use and experience such devices.Objectives: This study seeks to provide an understanding of how mobile phone features, the motivation to use and time spent on a mobile phone influence behavioural intention to use mobile phones among a sample of technical and vocational educational and training (TVET) students in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Method: A survey was carried out with 161 TVET students through a self-administered questionnaire completed by each respondent. Pre-testing and pilot testing of measures were conducted using a sample of final-year students using mobile phones who fit the same characteristics as the intended sample. To arrive at findings, data analysis was undertaken through the Chi-square test.Results: Descriptive results of the study reveal that the majority of mobile phones owned by TVET students were in the category of smartphones, bearing modern features that facilitate instant messaging, exchange of data and information as well as speedy access to information via the Internet.Conclusion: Inferential results of the study indicate that the more features a mobile phone has, the higher the desire to make use of the phone for communication purposes. Furthermore, motivation and time were found to play insignificant roles in influencing student utilisation of mobile phones for communication purposes.

scholarly journals Impacts of Mobile Phone Use on Poverty Reduction for Non-Commercial Farmers in Rural North Ghana

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew David Smith ◽  
Jo Hanisch
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Traditional Area

This paper presents findings from an investigation of the poverty-reduction impacts of mobile phone use by subsistence farmers in the Kaleo Traditional Area (KTA) in rural north Ghana. The mobile phone can benefit poor people engaged in commercial activities in developing countries, yet it remains unknown whether the mobile phone affords poverty-reduction impacts on livelihoods where commercial activity is secondary to self sustenance. Our findings suggest that comparative advantages exist for phone-owning farmers in the KTA. However, phoneless farmers who ‘free-ride’ on their phone-owning neighbours also accrue gains. Hence, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can benefit not only phone-owners with poverty-reduction impacts, but encouragingly (albeit, more subtly), phoneless farmers.

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