Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play numerous direct and supporting roles in agricultural production, but this critical essence has been largely under-researched. To this end, this study assessed the effects of ICTs use on the TE of poultry egg farmers. Primary data were collected from 180 poultry egg farmers in Ibadan, Oyo State with the aid of questionnaire. The study sample was selected using a four-stage sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Tobit regression were the tools utilised for analyses. Results indicate that the level of ICTs use was low among the poultry egg farmers (mean=42.0?0.12). The TE of the poultry egg farmers was also found to be low, averaging 42.6 percent. Membership of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) affected TE negatively (?= -0.112; ?=0.05), while education (secondary: ?=0.176, ?=0.05; tertiary: ?=0.135, ?=0.10) and phone use index (?=0.165; ?=0.10) affected it positively. Thus, there is potential in ICTs use to increase the technical efficiency and productivity of poultry egg production. However, there is need for improved capacity building for the egg farmers and regulation of the professional association for better inclusion.

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