Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and youth farmers empowerment in conflict de-escalation and transformation periods in Osun State Nigeria

Abstract

Three months information communication technology’s components utilization was organized for youth farmers during conflict de-escalation stage as an appropriate empowerment or conflict rehabilitation strategy. The quest for the extent to which utilization of ICT’s components by youth farmers has rehabilitate or empowerment youth farmers in conflict-prone areas necessitates conduct of this research. The period of examination was dichotomized into Conflict De-Escalation Period (CDEP) and Conflict Transformation Period (CTP). A simple random sampling technique was used to select 250 farmers from the Village Extension Agent’s (VEA) register. Data were collected using an interview schedule and analyzed using frequency count, percentages, and t-tests. Findings revealed that over 50.0% of the youth farmers did not have access to ICT components during conflict de-escalation periods, as against over 60.0% of the youth farmers who made use of ICT components during conflict transformation periods. Consequently, farmers recorded lower production of cocoa (40 tons), maize (10 tons) and cassava (22 tons) during CDEP as opposed to higher production of cocoa (525 tons), maize (62 tons), and cassava (1,210 tons) recorded during CTP. The majority (95.0%) of youth lived below the poverty line in CDEP, contrasting with 68.0% who lived above the poverty line in CTP. Less than 13.0% of the youth farmers made use of new ICT, while more than 50.0. % made use of interpersonal and traditional ICT. Crop production is statistically different in CDEP and CTP at p<0.05. Hence, use of ICT and peaceful environment are essential to increase in crop production and poverty alleviation among youth farmers.