ABSTRACT
The study examined the Use of ICTs for improved fish farming and production in Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the responding fish farmers in the area; identify ICT devices used by respondents in the area; examine the accessibility of fish farming/production information using ICT by the respondents; and identify problems associated with the use of ICTs by fish farmers in the study area.
Multi stage sampling technique was adopted in sample selection. Data was collected via administration of questionnaire to respondents. The sample size was 120 fish farmers randomly selected from a list of 637 registered ICT user fish farmers obtained from the State ADP.
Data were analyzed using descriptive tools such as frequency and percentages, presented in tabular forms as well as pie charts and multiple bar charts.
Results from the study showed that majority, (38.3%) were 41-50 years, 53% were males, 83.3% were married, 51.7% had a family size of 1-5 people. Majority had tertiary education, specifically NCE/OND (40%), 40% had above 21 years of fishing experience. . Also results revealed that majority (57.5%) have not been visited by extension agents. ICT devices mostly used includes mobile phones, radio, television, internet. Fish farmers needed information on pond construction, sources of fingerlings, diseases treatment, advertising, weather/temperature and others. The challenges facing them includes high cost of device, low income of farmers, power supply, low scale agricultural production, network problem among others. It was recommended that education and training be given to the farmers by the extension agents and other related agencies, power supply and good network services should be made available by the government and telecommunication companies, input supply and input subsidies should be made available in order to increase the scale of agricultural production.
