Mobile Phone Services on Enhancing Paddy Farmers Access to Market

Abstract

vi 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