Application of ICT to Agriculture as a Panacea to Unemployment in Nigeria

Tolulope Kehinde, Kayode-Adedeji and Agwu, Dr. Edwin M. (2015): Application of ICT to Agriculture as a Panacea to Unemployment in Nigeria. Published in: International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Review , Vol. 3, No. 4 (January 2015): pp. 26-48.

Abstract

This study looked at the relevance of agriculture in the Nigeria society and the need for employment and application of information and communication technology into agricultural sector as a solution to unemployment problems in Nigeria. As information and communication technology is a booming sector of the economy which presently engaged the younger generations of Nigerians, it can as well be used to improve the economic development of Nigeria and Nigerians. Data was gathered through qualitative method with focus group and individual in-depth interview as tools. Participants were selected randomly from a group of students, farmers and traders in Ogun and Lagos States of Nigeria. Findings revealed that although government support was essential in improving the agricultural sector in Nigeria, it was also important for citadels of learning and the private sectors to join hands in creating the much needed awareness amongst the youths on the significance of the agricultures and application of ICT as a veritable but untapped employment opportunity. The study also revealed that there is need to include agricultural studies into present day school curricular as well as create massive awareness through the mass media, especially Nollywood industry to portray the agricultural sector in a good light in order to ensure economic growth and uptake by the younger generations.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: ICT, Agriculture, Employment, Poverty alleviation, Nigeria
• Subjects: J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor > J21 - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor > J24 - Human Capital ; Skills ; Occupational Choice ; Labor Productivity; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J4 - Particular Labor Markets > J43 - Agricultural Labor Markets

References

Abubakar, B. (2010). Availability and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in six Nigerian University library schools. Library philosophy and practice. Retrieved from www.webpages.uidaho.edu

Agwu, E. (2012) Generations X and Y’s adoption of internet and internet banking in Nigeria: a qualitative study. International Journal of Online Marketing, 2(4), 68-81, October-December 2012

Agwu, M.E, and Kadiri, I. (2014) Analysis of critical strategic factors for the successful implementation of poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria. International Journal of Computational Engineering & Management, Vol. 17(1) 1–9, January 2014

Agwu, Edwin (2013). From reluctance to resistance of the adoption of internet banking services in selected cities of the United Kingdom; International Journal of Customer Relationship Marketing and Management, 4(4), 41-56, October-December 2013

Agwu, M. E., Atuma, O., Aigbiremolen, O. M. & Iyoha, F., (2014). The Impact of Information Communication Technologies in the Strategic Management of Financial Institutions. International Review of Management and Business Research, Vol. 3 Issue.3, pp 1588-1602. September 2014. Available at www.irmbrjournal.com

Ahmad, N. and Saymour, R. (2008). Defining Entrepreneurial activity: Definitions supporting Frameworks for Data collection. Retrieved from www.oecd.org/std/business-stats/39651330.pdf

Ajayi, A. (2008).Towards Effective use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching in Nigeria Colleges of Education. Asian Journal of Information Technology 7(5), 210-214. Retrieved from http://www.medwelljournals.com/abstract/?doi=ajit.2008.210.214

Ani, O. (2005). Adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in academic libraries: A strategy for library networking in Nigeria. Electronic Library. 23(6), 701-708. Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1529807.

Awe, J. (2012). Public Private Partnership (PPP) in ICT for development in Nigeria. Retrieved from www.enigeria.gov.ng/2012/downloads/Awe-03.doc

Blanchflower, D. and Oswald, A. (1999). Entrepreneurship and the youth labour market problem, LEED Document [(DT/LEED (99) 11], Territorial Development Service, OECD, Paris

Baron, R. (2014). Essentials of Entrepreneurship. Okalahama US: Edward Eglar Publishing. Retrieved from www.e-eglar.co.uk/PDFS/webcats/Enterpreneurshipuk.pdf

Brijah, L., & Dyer, E. (2003). Problems in recruiting students into Agricultural Education on programs: A Delphi study of Agric teacher perceptions. Journal of Agricultural Education. 44(2), pp 75-85. Retrieved from http://www.jae-online.org/attachments/article/339/44-02-75.pdf.

Chhabra, S. (2013). ICT influences on Human Development, interaction and collaboration. United state of America: IGI Global.

Chigbu, U. (2012). The case of Agriculture as the only saviour to Nigeria’s Deing Economy. Retrieved from http://www.gamji.com/article4000/NEWS4400.htm

Chhabra, S. (2013) ICT influences on Human Development, interaction and collaboration. United state of America: IGI Global.

Ching, L. L. (2008) Africa, the food crisis and food aid. Third world resurgence, issue no. 212, retrieved from www.twinside.org.sg/title2/susagri043.htm

Chinweizu, N. (2006). Discuss in details the history of Agriculture in Nigeria from the colonial era to the present day, pointing out clearly all Agricultural programmes. Retrieved on from www.onlinenigeria.com/article

Cuervo, A, Ribeiro, D., & Cuervo, A. (2007). Enterprenurship: concepts, theory and perspective. Introduction, Retrieved from www.uv.es/bcjauveg/docs/LibroCuervoRibeiroroigintroduction.pdf

Dakwa, k. (2010). Information and communication technology in Nigeria: Prospect and challenges of development. “Africa Today” Retrieved from www. Drucker, P. (1985). Innovation and Entrepreneurship. London: William Heinemann.

Eke, L. (2013). The ICT sector in Nigeria in 2013: A preview by Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, zinox Group, This Day lives online. www.thisdaylive.com/article/the-ict-sector-in-nigeria

Dudu, O.F. and Agwu, M. E. (2014) A review of the effect of pricing strategies on the purchase of consumer goods, International Journal of Research in Management, Science & Technology (E-ISSN: 2321-3264) Vol. 2, No. 2, pp.88-102, August 2014 Available at www.ijrmst.org

Eko, N. (2010). Agriculture in Nigeria, retrieved from www.gamji.com/article8000/NEWS8697.htm

Enete, A. A. and Amusa, A. T. (2010). Challenges of Agriculture adaptation to climate change in Nigeria: a synthesis from literature. The journal of field actions. Field actions science reports.. [online], 4(1). Retrieved from http://factsreports.revues.org/678.

Esters, L. (2007). Factors influencing postsecondary Education Enrolment Behaviours of urban Agricultural Education students. Career and technical Education Research, 32 (2), Pp 79-98. Retrieved from http://acter.metapress.com/content/b6320388456j721g/. Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment (2011). Agriculture. Retrieved from www.finti.gov.ng/component/content

Fu L. and Aktar, S. (2011). ICTs as an enabler for private sector development. Information in economy report. Retrieved from www.unctad.org/en/publications library/ier2011_en.pdf on October 23, 2014

Ikpefan, O.A., Owolabi, F., Agwu M.E. & Adetula, D. (2014) Working Capital Management And Profitability Of The Manufacturing Sector: An Empirical Investigation Of Nestle Nigeria Plc and Cadbury Nigeria Plc. European Journal of Business and Social Sciences (EJBSS); Volume 3, Issue 06, pp 23-34 September 2014

International Labour Organisation (ILO, 2009). “Youth entrepreneurship”, Geneva

Iruonagbe, T.C. (2009). "Rural-Urban Migration and Agricultural Development in Nigeria". Arts and Social Sciences International Research Journal. Vol. 1. Society for Academic Excellence, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Pp. 28-49.

Iruonagbe, T. (2000). Rural-Urban and Agric Development in Nigeria society for research and academic excellence. Retrieved from www.academicexcellencesociety.com/rural-urban-migration.htm/

Maclean, R. and Wilson, D.N. (2009). International Handbook of Education for the changing World of Work: Bridging Academic and Vocational Learning.

Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

Merriam, S. B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study applications in education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

National Bureau of statistics, (2012). Agriculture. Retrieved from www.nigeriastat.gov.ng/sectorstat/sectors/Agriculture

Naude, W., Szirmai, A., & Goedhuys, M. (2011). Innovations and entrepreneurship in developing country. Retrieved from www.wider.unu.edu/publication/polig/en.../UNU

Obadan, M. and Odusola, A., (2000) “Productivity and unemployment in Nigeria” National Centre for Economics Management and Administration. Ibadan.

Obayelu A.E & Ogunlade, I. (2006) Analysis of the use of Information and Communication Technology for gender empowerment and sustainable poverty alleviation in Nigeria. International Journal of Education and Development using ICT. 2(3). Retrieved from www.ijedict.dec.uwi.edu [23/04/14]

OECD and European Commission (2004). Career guidance: A handbook for policy makers, (OECD/European Commission, Paris).

Ogbu, A. (2010) Jonathan sees Agriculture as Economic booster. This Day live. (6th July, 2011). Retrieved from www.thisdaylive.com/articles/

Ogunsola, A. and Ayobami, B. (2005). ICT in Nigeria. Revolution or Evolution journal of social sciences, 11(1), 7-14. Retrieved from www.icrepublishers.com/02-journals/Jss/Jss.

Okafor, A. (2001, March 27). Experts Canvass Agricultural Revolution to boost Economy. Vanguard Daily. Retrieved from all Africa global media.

Okafor, A. (2001, 27 March). Experts Canvass Agricultural Revolution to boost Economy Vanguard Daily, online, http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/34a/130.html.

Okafor, A. (2011). “Unemployment in Nigeria- Youth Unemployment and implications for stability of Democracy in Nigeria”. Journal of sustainable Development in Africa, 13(1), Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania. Pp 358-373. ISSN 1520-5509.

Opara, Q. (2001, 7 November). Subsidise Agriculture, ignore IMF, World Bank, Expert Tells FG. This Day. Retrieved from http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/34a/index-ca.html.

Palys, T. (2003). Research decisions: Quantitative and qualitative perspectives (3rd ed.) Toronto: Nelson

Sachs .J. (2006) Combating Poverty Through Massive ICT Deployment: United Nations, on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, Day (Editorial) 13 December, 2006.

Siraj, M. (2012). A model for ICT based service for agriculture extension in Pakistan. Knowledge for life. Retrieved from www.r4d.dfid.gov.ukPDF/OUTPUTS/MISC_info-

Spiers,M. (2010). The development of information communication technologies in Nigerian libraries. Retrieved from http://www.mYU3DG7VfkJ:eprints.rclis.org/ bitstream/10760/14464/2/

Stockholm challenge (2008) Using ICT for improving incomes of rural farmers – the Rural Information System. Retrieved 8 October, 2014 from www.stockholmchallenge.se/data/2130

This Day live, (2013, 1, October). Nigeria’s Agricultural sector crawls at 53. Retrieved on from www.thisdaylive.com on August 2, 2014

Urama, N., & oduh, M., (2012). Impact of Development in Telecommunications on poverty in Nigeria. Journal of Economics and sustainable Development. 3(6), ISSN 2222-2855.

Umaru, A. and Zubairu, A. (2012). An Empirical Analysis of the contribution of Agric and petroleum sector to the growth and development of the Nigeria Economy from 1960-2010. International Journal of social science and Education. 2(4), ISSN 2223-493XE

UN Report (1999). Youth employment: Lisbon Declaration and Youth Policies, www.unicef.org Retrieved 23/10/14.

Yin, R. K. (2011). Qualitative research from start to finish. New York, NY: Guilford.