Use of ICT among Small Scale Yam Farmers in Southern Taraba, Taraba State, Nigeria

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@article{1713802,
      author = {Abraham Danlami, J. B. Dibah, F. D. Chape, A. O. Ayodele},
      title = {Use of ICT among Small Scale Yam Farmers in Southern Taraba, Taraba State, Nigeria},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {9},
      number = {7},
      pages = {1632-1641},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1713802.pdf},
      abstract = {This study examines the adoption and utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) among small-scale yam farmers in Southern Taraba, Taraba State, Nigeria. In a region where yam cultivation is central to livelihoods and food security, access to timely agricultural information is critical. However, rural farmers often lack adequate extension services and market access, placing them at a disadvantage in terms of productivity and competitiveness. ICT presents an opportunity to bridge these gaps by enhancing information flow, market linkages, and farming efficiency. The study specifically assesses farmers? awareness of ICT tools, the types of technologies used, the purposes for which they are applied in yam farming, as well as the perceived benefits and limitations of such adoption. A total of 100 farmers were selected through a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, interviews, and field observations, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings reveal that while awareness of ICT is relatively high (70%), actual use is largely limited to mobile phones (95%) and radio (60%), with fewer farmers using more advanced tools such as internet-based platforms. Farmers primarily use ICT for communication with buyers, accessing market price information, and receiving weather updates. Key benefits include timely access to agricultural information, reduced post-harvest losses, and improved decision-making. However, ICT adoption is hindered by poor network coverage, low digital literacy, high costs of smartphones and data, and limited access to electricity. The study concludes that ICT has the potential to significantly enhance yam farming in Southern Taraba by increasing productivity and efficiency. However, realizing this potential requires targeted interventions, including infrastructure development, digital literacy training, and the provision of localized, crop-specific ICT content. The study recommends multi-stakeholder engagement among government, NGOs, private ICT firms, and farmer cooperatives to promote inclusive digital transformation in rural agriculture.},
      keywords = {Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), small-scale yam farmer, market linkage, farmers? awareness, yam production, Nature Gift of the Nation},
      month = {January},
  }