Factors affecting the using information and communication technologies (ICTs) by livestock farmers in the Eastern Cape province

Abstract

Livestock farming is a significant part of agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa and is contributing immensely to household welfare. Livestock farmers have been exposed to different ICTs stations in developing countries. Nevertheless, efforts have been made to use ICTs but involvement does not replicate how ICTs influence livestock farmers to access and use to enhance productivity and farm returns of farmers. It is therefore imperative to investigate factors affecting the use of ICTs by livestock farmers in the Eastern Cape Province. The study made use of multi-stage sampling in selecting 170 livestock farmers. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used as analytical tools. Livestock farmers were using ICTs to enhance their production and farm returns respectively. The commonly used ICTs were radio and television, mobile phones, and computers. The use of ICTs by farmers was effective as they contributed significantly to enhancing the productivity of livestock farmers. Socio-economic and institutional factors influence the use and adoption of ICTs by livestock farmers. Therefore, the study recommends introduction training programs tailored to build knowledge and use of ICTs in increasing farmers’ awareness as well as gaining knowledge. Government must subsidize farmers so that they can be able to purchase data and ICT tools.

Keywords

• Eastern Cape province
• factors
• information and communication technology
• livestock farmers
• welfare