Perceptions of Small-scale Farmers on the Adoption of ICTs for Accessing Agricultural Information in Mahikeng, Northwest Province, South Africa

Abstract

This study evaluates the perceptions of small-scale farmers in Mahikeng, Northwest Province, South Africa, regarding the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in agriculture. The findings indicate that most respondents (94%) view ICT as a valuable tool for implementing change, enhancing access to agricultural information, and improving productivity. Specifically, 62.8% agreed that ICT increases access to information, while 63.6% believed it boosts productivity. Farmers also acknowledged the benefits of ICT in reducing travel time and expenses (61.1%) and expanding market access and networks (70.2%). Education was found to have a significant positive impact on ICT adoption (coefficient = 1.190649, p ≤ 0.01), indicating that higher education promotes ICT literacy. However, gender and reliance on traditional information sources were negatively correlated with ICT perceptions, reflecting barriers to adoption. Notably, 53% of farmers believed that ICT improves the quality of services. Awareness of ICT benefits for extension services also played a key role in shaping positive perceptions (coefficient = 4.261418, P ≤ 0.05), while Ease of use significantly influenced farmers' perceptions (coefficient = 0.36816, P ≤ 0.05). These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to increase ICT adoption, focusing on education, gender equity, awareness, and the development of user-friendly technologies.