Factors Affecting The Use Of GSM Technology In The Marketing Of Food Crops Among Farming Households In Abia State Nigeria:- Anuakpado Perfertual A

ABSTRACT

 This study is on the Factors Affecting the Use of <3SM Technologies on the Marketing of Food Crops among Farming Households in Abia State, Nigeria. The objectives were to; examine the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, asses the level of awareness of farming households on new information and communication technologies on the marketing offood crops in the study area, determine factors that affects the use ofGSM technologies in the food crop marketing by farming household and make recommendations based on the findings. Firstly, the three Urban area ofAba, Umuahia and Ohiafia were purposively selected. Secondly, a random selection of20 respondents were done from each ofthe 3 agricultural zone in Abia State. This amounted to total of 120 respondents used for the study. Descriptive statistics, probit model and Z - statistic were employed for the analysis. Majority ofthe respondents indicated that they are very much aware ofthe technology, the major factors affecting the use of the GSM phones were quality of crops produced, farm size, quality of crops sold the previous year, distance to market, income, and availability of electricity service. The study recommended that more enlightenment should be embarked upon to sensitize the rural people on the importance of GSM technology in the transaction of their business, Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) should be regulated towards the activities of service procedures to encourage the ownership and use ofthe phones.