ADOPTION AND UTILIZATION OF NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGY FOR RURAL OCCUPATION: A STUDY OF FARMERS IN GIDAN-KWANO COMMUNITY OF MINNA, NIGER STATE
1Omale Gloria Eneh; 2Muhammed Dagaci, Safiya Kaka; 3Bolajoko KabirAyodeji; 4Madza, James &S5tephen, Jato
1Department of Information and Media Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna.
2Department of Mass Communication; Ibrahim BadamasiBabangida University Lapai
3Department of Information and Media Technology; Federal University of Technology, Minna.
4Department of Mass Communication; University of Mkar, Mkar.Gboko Benue State
5Department of Mass Communication; University of Mkar, Mkar.Gboko Benue State
Email:e.gloria@futminna.edu.ng; safidaci@gmail.com; @futminna.edu.ng; James.madza@gmail.com& Steve.jato@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The research was a study on adoption and utilization of new media technology among rural farmers in Gidan-Kwano community of Minna, Niger State. The objective was to find out the level of exposure to digital media use in their occupation, their awareness about the importance of the technology, their readiness to adopt the technology amongst others. Survey was adopted while questionnaire and semi-structured interview were the research instruments used. The population of the study was 4000 farmers. Krejcie and Morgan table for sample size determination was used to derive a sample size of 351. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Yin’s thematic explanation model. Findings revealed that the major hindrance to the adoption and utilization of new media by top farmers in the study area is that of illiteracy and poverty. This aligned with the reason behind their ignorance of the importance of the technology hence couldn’t apply it. Furthermore, some farmers who adopted the use were not comfortable with it due technical challenges in operating the device and other challenges encountered. The study further confirm that findings conducted by several scholars in this area which is illiteracy, poverty, poor power supply, poor network by service providers amongst others is true and therefore, opined that until the findings and recommendations made by scholars are taken seriously by government and relevant institutions, organizations and agencies, researches will continue to move in circles without any significant advancement.
Keywords: New media, Digital device, Mobile technology, rural occupation, Farming.
