Use of cell phones by the farmers as an extension tool to practice sustainable agriculture and achieve food security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Journal Title: Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences - Year 2017, Vol 5, Issue 0
Abstract
This study sought to identify how farmers used mobile technology as an extension tool in the area of Al-Delam, Saudi Arabia. The study population consisting of 277 farmers was drawn using face to face interview. Well-structured, pre-tested questionnaires were used to collect data. Results of the study are based on questionnaires completed in all respects by 196 participants (70.1% of total). Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results of study revealed that approximately 77% of respondents were using mobile as an extension tool continuously (in routine) and about 68% of the respondents were of the opinion that cell phone helped them meeting their needs and achieving their goals related to agriculture. However, approximately 77% of farmers did not subscribe to any extension services and about 67% intended to subscribe in the near future. Regarding the use of the cell phones for agricultural purposes, about 60% farmers were using them to determine the price of agricultural inputs (e.g. seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides). The study also revealed that about 50% farmers used their cell phones to obtain information through calls, SMS and WhatsApp with the means of 2.86, 2.40 and 2.31, respectively on a 1 to 5 scale. The study concluded that the different categories of the farmers were meeting their needs for agricultural information from different information sources. However, the study showed a positive and significant correlation between larger farmers and the use of cell phone as an extension tool to seek agricultural information at the significance level of 0.01.
Authors and Affiliations
F. O. Aldosari, Mohamad S. Al-Sakran, Hammad F. N. Alkhubizi, Abdullah A. Al-Zaidi, Mirza B. Baig, Muhammad Muddassir, Mehmood Ali Noor
Keywords
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- EP ID EP428003
- DOI 10.18006/2017.5(Spl-1-SAFSAW).S91.S98
- Views 57
- Downloads 0
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