Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Information Communication
Technology tools in facilitating development within Community-Based Farming
Projects (CBFPs) served by Mankweng Service Centre (MSC). The objectives of
the study were to identify various ICT tools through which farmers get agricultural
information, to determine the types of ICT-based agricultural information
preferred by farmers in Mankweng, to examine the factors influencing use of ICTs
by farmers in Mankweng and also to identify the challenges encountered by
Mankweng farmers in their use of ICT. The study was cross-sectional in design
and included 102 farmers from the Community-Based Farming Projects in
Mankweng Service Centre as participants. Participants were selected using
multi-stage sampling of combined cluster and systematic random sampling.
Quantitative data was collected from participants using a structured questionnaire
under the supervision of the researcher. Descriptive and inferential methods of
analysis were employed. Data was summarised using frequency distribution of
variables followed by measures of central tendency, measures of variance, and
relationship of variables. Summary of findings was presented in the form of
tables, figures and frequencies. Univariate regression model was used to analyse
factors influencing use of ICT amongst farmers.
The findings of the study show that majority (64%) of the farmers were women
and (36%) of the farmers were men. Majority of the farmers (56%) were less than
50 years of age with 79% of the farmers having no tertiary education. The results
of this study also revealed that the demographics of the participants were not the
critical determinant factors in ICT usage (p>0.2) amongst farmers. The level of
education farmers acquired was rather a very important predictor of the utilization
of the ICT tools available to the farmers. The study revealed cell phones to be
the most commonly used ICT device followed by Radio and TV. The study
revealed that the affordability of ICT devices is the main challenge which
ultimately limits access.
Based on these findings, the study recommends that the Limpopo Department of
Agriculture (LDoA) should make a provision of informal education sessions for
farmers on the use of ICT devices, and ICT infrastructure and smart phones. In
addition, the study recommends advocacy for more agricultural programmes
through affordable platforms like TV and community radio stations media.
Keywords: ICT tools, Education, CBFPs, MSC, LDA, Farmers
