Title : Utilization of digital tools for sourcing and sharing innovative agricultural production practices among peri-urban and urban dwellers in Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract:
Soil-less innovative agricultural practices that are adequate for use in urban and peri-urban centres have continued to emerge over the years. Some of these include: sack farming, hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical farming, aquaponics, etc. These innovative agricultural practices appears to be gaining acceptance in land- locked urban and peri-urban centres and because they offer viable alternative to the traditional method of planting crops on the soil. This study comparatively assessed utilization of digital tools for sourcing and sharing innovative agricultural production practices among urban and peri-urban dwellers in Rivers State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 180 adult males and females. Structured Questionnaire was used to collect data while data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics (means, percentage and Chi-square analysis). Results showed that more than 80% of both groups were aware of bag farming and bucket farming but the percentages were higher among peri-urban dwellers. Awareness of other innovative agricultural practices were less than 41%. Less than 12% and 10% of peri-urban and urban dwellers (respectively) has ever tried hydroponics, vertical farming, aquaponics and aeroponics. Majority (90%) owned mobile phone but about 31.3% do not have android phones. Digital tools that majority (about 71%) used for sourcing and sharing information on innovative agricultural practices include phone calls/SMS and WhatsApp call/message while 16.7% used video call and 5.3% used e- mailing. The main constraints to utilizing digital tools among respondents include: inadequate time, problem of authenticity of on-line information, lack of interest in Agriculture, lack of adequate technical know-how of some innovative agricultural practices. Statistically significant difference observed in the frequencies of respondents who utilized digital tools for sourcing and sharing innovative agricultural practices was in favour peri-urban dwellers. It was recommended that Agricultural Extension Agents should embark on vigorous campaigns, trainings and workshops on effective use of digital tools for sourcing and sharing information on innovative agricultural production practices. Extension campaigns should promote awareness and adoption of soil-less innovative agricultural practices such as aquaponics, vertical farming, aquaponics and aeroponics.
Keywords: innovative agricultural production practices, digital tools, agricultural extension, information sourcing, information sharing
