Challenges of Using ICTs to Disseminate Agricultural Information

Dissemination of agricultural information is important to ensure farmers have adequate knowledge and skills to address their needs and sustain production. Although, research has been done to improve agricultural productivity in Sudan, performance of the agriculture sector continues to decline. Inadequate dissemination of agricultural information is thought to have contributed to the reduction of agricultural productivity, economic performance, food security and loss of bio-diversity in Sudan. The purpose of this study was to determine the challenges of using ICTs to disseminate agricultural information. The study used an ex-post facto research design. The research was conducted in Gezira State which is the most agriculturally productive state in Sudan. The state of Gezira has an estimated population of about 60,952 farmers. Data was obtained from a random sample of 120 farmers attained through proportionate stratified random sampling. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software verson11.5. Frequencies, means and percentages were used for descriptive statistics, while Chi-Square test was used as an inferential statistic at 5% level of significance.

Autorentext

Nada has been working at the Agricultural Research Corporation for about 7 years and specialises in computer hardware and software maintenance and computer networks. Her research interests include websites and databases design and management and applications of ICT in agriculture. Current research work includes the development of micro-controller-b