Challenges facing semi-urban fish farmers’ use of information and communication technology devices in Imo State Nigeria
Keywords:
Semi-urban, Fish farmers, Communication, TechnologyAbstract
The study examined the challenges semi-urban fish farmers face in their use of information and communication technology devices in Imo state. Data were obtained using structured questionnaire from 210 fish farmers selected randomly from a list of 2300 fish farmers obtained from fish farmers cooperative office in Owerri, the state capital. Using descriptive statistical tools, data were analyzed and presented in tables for understanding and clarity. Results revealed that majority (37.6%) are within the active age of 41-50, 58.6% are males, 50% have secondary education, and have about 11-15 years of fish farming. The respondents have frequent access to radio, telephone (mobile), television, magazines and newspapers. They need information on feed formulation, water management, disease management, fingerlings, processing and drug use. They face the following challenging erratic power supply, low level of education, language barrier, low income, lack of skills in ICT, among others. In view of the following we recommend that communication companies and service providers improve their network coverage. Government should also improve in their provision of electricity and make power supply constant and steady.
References
Abubakar, L. and Abdullahi, H.A. (2009). Information and communication technologies in agricultural development in Nigeria: Challenges and opportunities. Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, Abuja. Pp. 715-717.
Adejo, P.E. and Haruna, U. (2009). Access of farmers to ICTs for agricultural development in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State. Op.Cit. Pp. 704-707.
Akinyemi, O. (1998). Sustainable management of Nigeria’s fisheries in the 21st Century. Faculty of Agriculture Lecture Series, No. 7, University of Ibadan. Pp. 39-44.
Akinbile L.A. and Alabi O. E. (2010) Use of ICTs among fish farmers in Oyo state. Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 14 (1),
Aphunu, A. and Atoma, C. N.(2011) Extent of Use of ICTs by Fish Farmers in Isoko Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria Journal of Agricultural Extension. Vol. 15 (1),:10-20
Arokoyo T (2003): Response to the e-discussion: ICT Applications in Rural Extension and Information Exchange. In Bokre, D and Ballantayne T, INARS-ICTs Transforming Agricultural Extension CTA Observatoryon ICTs. 6th Consultative Expert Meeting, Wageningen.
Ayodele, I.A. and Ajani, E.K.(1999). Essentials of Fish Farming. Agape Prints, Ibadan. Pp. 39-44.
Bene, C. and Heck, S. (2005). Fisheries and the millennium development goals, solutions for Africa. NAGA World Fish Center Quarterly, Vol. 28, No.384, July-December, pp.14-18.
Bowora, J. and Chazovachii, B.(2010) The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Poverty Reduction in Zimbabwe: An Analysis of the Urban Poor in Harare. International Journal of Politics and Good Governance Volume 1, No. 1.3
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) (2005): Farming Nigeria’s Waters. A Compilation of the News Letters of the Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Project on National Special Programme for Food Security. Vol.1, Nos 1-2,
October, 2003-June, 2005. Technical note 16.
FAO (1999): The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture. 1998 Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy Gholamreza P. and Naser.Z. (2005): Information-seeking behaviour of Iranian extension managers and specialists. FAO, Rome Pp 36
Gupta, D., and Sullivan, J. (2010). “Bharti Airtel Limited Africa: More Challenges than Reflected; Comprehensive Feedback.”JP Morgan: Asia Pacific Equity Research, Available at https:// mm.jpmorgan.com/stp/t/c.do?i=16238-5&u=a_p*d_481495 .pdf*h_21ovi1ej%0D%0A,
Gupta, M.V. (2006). Challenges in sustaining and increasing fish production to combat hunger and poverty in Asia. NAGA World Fish Center Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 1 and 2, January-June, 7p.
Ifejika, P.I., Akinbile, L.A., Ifejika, L.I. and Oladeji, J.O. (2008). The socio-economic effects on adoption of aquaculture technologies among fish farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, Vol. 11, pp. 74-86.
IMSG (2010) Education in Imo State . Imo State, Nigeria: Ministry of Information, Owerri, Imo State Government.
Meyer H.W.J (2005): The Nature of Information, and the Effective Use of Information in Rural development. National Agriculture Extension & Research Liaison Services (NAERLS, 2001): Field Situation Assessment of 2001 Wet Season Agriculture Production in Nigeria Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Ndati, N. And Okumu, P.(2014) Internet and the Promotion of Aquaculture in Kenya. European Scientific Journal December 2014 edition vol.10, No.35
New Partnersip for African Development (NEPAD) (2005). Fish for All Summit. NEPAD Action Plan for the development of African Fisheries and Aquaculture. Abuja, Nigeria, 23rd August; 24p.
Nkwocha, V.I., Ibeabuchi, I.I., Chukwueke, T.C., Azubuike, N.O. and Nkwocha, G.A. (2009). Overview of the impact of ICT on agricultural development in Imo State, Nigeria. Proceedings, ASN. Op. Cit. Pp. 711-714.
Onuzuruike, E. 2009. Telecom Infrastructure Sharing as a Strategy for Cost Optimization and Revenue Generation: A Case Study of MTN Nigeria/Zain Nigeria Collocation. Master’s thesis, Blekinge Institute of Technology, http://www.bth.se/fou/cuppsats.nsf/28b5b36bec7ba32bc125744b004b97d0/8 ab522d9c73deb98c 125769a0037ccce! OpenDocument&Highlight=0, telecom infrastructure*,sharing
Rutger. J.E. (2000). Technical. Policy and Institutional Trends in Information and Communication. Proceedings of a CTA Seminar. Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 14 (1), June 2010 30
Ugwumba, A. and Ugwumba, A. (2003). Agriculture options and the future of fish supply in Nigeria. The Zoologist, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 96-122.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2015 J.U. Chikaire, A.O. Ani, F.N. Nnadi, C.C. Godson-Ibeji
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
