Awareness Level of Farmers on Agricultural Related Softwares for Improved Agricultural Production: Panacea for Food Insecurity in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State

Abstract

Purpose: The study in its main objective assessed the awareness level of farmers on agricultural related softwares for improved agricultural production in Iseyin Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of respondents; evaluated the level of awareness on agricultural softwares in the study area; investigated the extent of factors influencing usage of agricultural related softwares; assessed the severity of various challenges to usage of agricultural related softwares. The research hypothesis examined significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and their level of awareness of farmers on agricultural related softwares available to the respondents. Materials and Methods: A well- structured interview schedule was used to collect primary data. A total of 75 respondents were selected. Both descriptive statistics and inferential statistical analysis were employed in data analysis. Findings: The study revealed that male (64.0%) population is more than population of female (36.0%) in the study area. Results further revealed that aside automated poultry machine, weather forecasting tools was the most aware agricultural softwares in the study area. The study also deduced that factors influencing usage of agricultural softwares was access to technology with highest frequency of 97.3%. Limited digital infrastructure, regulatory and policy issues, reliability and connectivity issues and awareness and perception was ranked 1st in the challenges facing the respondents to usage agricultural related softwares. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between socio-economic characteristics of sex (x2 = 5.88, p= 0.015), religion (x2 = 26.16, p= 0.000002), marital status (x2 = 184.94, p= 0.00001), secondary occupation (x2 = 45.02, p = 0.001), year of farming experience (x2 = 6.72, p= 0.035) and aspect of farming enterprise (x2 = 174.54, p= 0.001) meanwhile, educational status do not to have a significant relationship on the awareness level of farmers on agricultural related softwares. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended improved awareness of less-known agricultural softwares like precision agronomy and data management tools through targeted educational campaigns and demonstrations that highlight their benefits to farmers, addressing regulatory and policy barriers will be crucial, along with promoting digital literacy programs to increase farmers understanding and perceived benefits of using agricultural related software.