USE OF ICT-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEMS ON MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) MARKETING AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN KENYA.

This study evaluated the impact of Information Communication Technology (ICT)-based marketing, drawing lessons from an ICT-based MIS projects in western Kenya. Data was collected from a sample of 192 farmers randomly selected using multi-stage random sampling procedure. Typically, men within the middle age range were determined to be active participants in farming and the major consumers of farm produce. In regard to technology adoption, both genders demonstrated a balanced capability. A Chi square test using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 was used to test the relationship between the various ICT tools and maize marketing. Results show that there was a high variation in ICT tools used by farmers. Mobile telephony and radio were the commonly used (36.5%) ICT by the farmers. Internet was the least used at 4.7%. Majority (95.5%) of the respondents reported positive contribution by ICT in farming produce and incomes while 4.2% reported no change. There was a high variation in the effect of ICT services on household maize marketing. Of the respondents, 64.4% identified inadequate funds as a major constrain in application of ICT tools. As such, it is quite apparent that farmers have put in more effort to utilize technology, only that they still face few problems that need to be handled to ensure full integration of technology into farming.