Abstract:
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ABSTRACT
The study addressed the “mobile phone services on enhancing paddy farmer’s access to
agricultural market information in Bahi Districts.” Specifically determined knowledge, attitude and
practice of paddy farmers on the use of mobile phones, assessing paddy farmers’ income
through the use of mobile phone services and investigating social economic factors influencing
paddy farmers in mobile phone usage. The study involved a sample of 150 respondents. A
cross-sectional design was used. Methodologically the study used interviews, focus group
discussion, observation and documentary review to collect data. Descriptive and inferential
statistics were used as methods of data analysis. The findings from the study indicated that most
of the farmers 68.7% had no knowledge of mobile phone services. Also, the mean score was 2.8
means that overall respondents had a positive attitude towards the usage of mobile phones for
accessing agricultural market information. Annual household income level after usage of mobile
phones has increased by (35.9%). This indirect land to be cultivated in terms of acres has
increased compared to before the usage of mobile phones. Significantly the productivity of paddy
has increased compared to the situation before the implementation of intervention (M-kilimo).
The study also found that factors that lead to positive social-economic factors influencing access
to agricultural market information were farmers' experience, age, sex, digital knowledge, network
availability, and language while level of education had a negative influence. The study
recommends that Local government, NGOs and stakeholders must create awareness among
farmers on the usage of mobile phones in accessing agricultural market information as well as to
educate them on how to use mobile phones to access agricultural market information
