THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs) IN THE MARKETING OF GRAINS AMONG WOMEN IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Well Researched and Ready to use Masters Dissertation, page number: 87, Department: Agricultural Economics

Abstract

The study focused on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the

marketing of grains among women in Delta State, Nigeria. The broad objective was to analyze the role of ICTs in the marketing of grains among women in Delta State, Nigeria. The specific objectives included to (i) describe socio-economic characteristics of women grain marketers in the study area; (ii) identify and describe the types of ICTs available to women grain marketers; (iii) determine level of access and usage of ICTs among women grain marketers; (iv) determine the factors that influence the level of usage of ICTs among women grain marketers; (v) estimate the effects of ICTs on returns from marketing by women grain marketers; (vi) identify the constraints to the use of ICT by

women grain marketers in the study area. Using multi-stage sampling technique, two local governments each from the three Agricultural Zones in Delta state were randomly selected making six local government areas. Using purposive sampling, two markets which are predominant in marketing of agricultural produce (rice, beans, maize,) were selected from each LGAs making a total of twelve markets. From the markets, 5 wholesalers and 5 retailers each were selected randomly making a total of 60 wholesalers and 60 retailers, a total of 120 respondents formed the sample of the study. A set of structured questionnaire was administered to obtain required information. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, multinomial logit model, multiple regression and principal component factor analysis. Result showed that majority (99.2%) of the sampled women grain marketers had access to market information through mobile phone in marketing of grain while 39.2%, s32.5% and 43.30% had access to market information through radio, newspaper and television respectively. Multinomial logit (MNL) analysis, using high level of ICTs usage as the base category, indicated that marketing experience (2.26) (p<0.05) had significant relationship with low and moderate level of ICTs usage

while age (-2.65) (p<0.01), school children (-1.51) (p<0.01) and average annual income (-3.12) (p<0.01) were significantly negatively related to low and medium level of ICTs usage in the study area. Marketing experience (2.44) (p<0.05); use of radio (2.78) (p<0.01); newspaper (2.74) (p<0.01); computer (3.34) (p<0.01) had significant relationship with the net returns from marketing of grains. The constraints to the use of ICT were categorized into four factor loading. Constraints under factor 1 include: high cost of ICTs components, repairs, maintenance, inadequate fund and technical know how. Constraints under factor 2 include: inadequacy of patronage, low daily sales. Constraints under factor 3 include: high taxes, association charges and health-related

problems while constraints under factor 4 are: general insecurity/theft and illiteracy. The study therefore recommended that since most of the women grain marketers possessed mobile and other ICTs, therefore effort should be made by service providers to improve network coverage in the study area in order to improve market performance. Electrification should be invested in by government as well as private sector so as to boost ICT investment in the area. Low cost access to information infrastructure is a necessary prerequisite for the successful use of ICT by women grain marketers. Reducing the price of these facilities through innovative production of affordable but efficient ICT will enhance their use in the area.

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