Abstract

This study examined access and utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among Farmers in Umuahia South L.G.A, Abia State, Nigeria. Abia State is made up of 3 Agricultural zones namely Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia, with 17 Local Government Areas (L.G.A.), Out ofthese 3 agricultural zones, umuahia zone was selected for the study. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in the selection ofthe sample size, from these zones, one L.G.A (Umuahia North) was purposively selected for the study. From this L.G.A, 3 communities namely Olokoro, Nsirimo and Apumiri were randomly selected and from each community 60 respondents were selected bringing the sample size to 180 respondents. Data was collected through well structured questionnaire and subsequently analyzed with simple descriptive statistics like frequency distribution and inferential statistics like regression model. Major findings ofthe study revealed that 68% of the respondents were between the age brackets of 46-60 yrs, On level of education 58% had secondary education, 15% had non while the remaining percentage had either primary or tertiary education. On forming experience, 41% ofthe respondents had practiced farming for 11-20 yrs and 83% ofthem practice subsistence forming. On access to ICTs, 62% ofthe respondents claimed they had access to ICTs while 59% claimed no personal access to ICTs. Effects of ICTS on agricultural activities reveal that access to ICTS has increased their agricultural information i.e 88%, knowledge of Market for delivery, lowering information cost and time saving 57%. Based on the findings of this study the respondents" access to ICT was fatly inadequate, therefore extra efforts to encourage them will enhance the effective utilization ofICTs among farming households so as to promote participatory communication in the agricultural sector which will go a long way to improve farmers lives in the area of food security and make significant contribution in reducing the number ofpeople suffering from malnutrition and hunger in the nearest future.