Effects of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on Youths Participation in Sesame Seed Production in Kwali Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Youths play a major role in Agricultural production and enhancement of Agricultural productivity. The broad objective of this study is ascertaining the effects of ICT on youth’s participation in the production of sesame seed in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Primary data was used for the study. Purposive sampling of sesame youths farmers was employed to select 20 sesame youths farmers each from five political
wards that are known to be cultivating sesame which gave 100 respondents. Descriptive statistics, likert scale and problem confrontation index were used to achieve all the specific objectives. From the result majority of the farmers are male (70%), married (66%) with a household size of 2.5(57%) and having a majority between ages of 31-40years representing 40%. The level of education of the majority which is secondary school and that may determine to an extend the use of ICT ranges 38% farm size which may encourage them to request for better knowledge of sesame production is also low(1ha). Other factors includes effectiveness in the use of ICT (GSM 100%, Radio 100%, Cassette 4%, TV 9%, Cassette and Recorder 2%, Video 5%, Media van 2%, Agric Book 0%, Internet 17%, Projector 3% and Storage device 0%.). Knowledge of ICT of sesame farmers having 100% use of GSM and Radio while the rest parameter has varying low percentages. The challenges associated with the use of ICT among youths in sesame production shows that lack of ICT facilities 66%, lack of skills 72%, poor power supply 72%, cost of maintenance 76% & theft 78%. The study therefore, recommended prompt attention on the part of government is required to provide ICT facilities, strengthen information dissemination through sensitization and Extension service delivery among others.