Mobile Phone Applications (Apps) Usage Issues among Rice (Oryza sativa) Farmers in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State

1Adekola, O.A.,2Akinyemi,T.A., 3Adeosun, K.G.4*Komolafe, S.E.

Authors

1Adekola, O.A.,2Akinyemi,T.A., 3Adeosun, K.G.4*Komolafe, S.E. 1Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria 2Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria 3Department of Communication and General Studies, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria 4Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria Author

Abstract

The study focused on mobile phone Apps usage among rice farmers in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area (LGA),Ogun State. Specifically, it determined; frequency of usage of phone Apps; agricultural purposes for which mobile phones Apps were used; benefits of using mobile phone Apps; and constraints to use of mobile phone Apps among rice farmers in the study area. Population for the study comprised of all rice farmers in Obafemi Owode LGA, Ogun State. Random technique was used to select 120 respondents. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and mean. Findings reveal eight Apps being used by farmers, including phone book (x =2.85), radio (x =2.64), calculator (x =2.55), SMS (x =2.52) were highly utilized while calendar (x =2.30), WhatsApp (x =1.57), Facebook (x =1.33) and Twitter (x =0.54) were poorly utilized mobile phone Apps by rice farmers in the study area. Other findings are nine purposes for using phone Apps. These are for calculation of expenses on input e.g. fertilizer, rice seed (94.2%), access market information (90.8%), for purchase of fertilizer (86.7%), listening to radio programs related to rice farming (82.5%) were the leading agricultural purposes of using phone Apps. Also nine benefits from use of Apps were identified. These include; utilization of mobile phone Apps has improved rice production (98.3%), helped them to determine amount of profit and loss on rice sales (97.5%), helped to access extension information on rice production (95.8%). Seven constraints were identified. These include; high tariff deduction from telecommunication companies (68.3%), and unstable power supply (61.7%) among others. It is recommended that rice farmers associations should help members to procure solar facilities to power their mobile phone.