Use of information and communication technologies by Vietnamese smallholders: Implications for extension strategies

In order to facilitate the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for accessing agricultural information by smallholders, it is critical to understand their perspectives on the use of ICT. However, few empirical studies have considered how smallholders utilise ICT in Central Vietnam. This research investigates the Central Vietnamese smallholders' views on the extent of use of ICT for accessing agricultural information. A sample size of 250 smallholders was randomly selected from a total of 687 smallholders in Trieu Phong district, Central Vietnam. A two-section questionnaire was used to gather data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The smallholders used mobile phones, TV and radio networks/broadcasts as the common ICT tools, and these were also effective ICT tools for accessing agricultural information. Lack of knowledge and skills for using applications on mobile phones were the main challenge to the smallholders' use of ICT. A statistically significant relationship, existing between the extent of mobile phone use and the smallholders' age (chi = 10.04, p = 0.040), gender (chi = 5.99, p = 0.014) and the type of households (chi = 6.84, p = 0.033), was found. Similarly, there was a statistically significant relationship existing between the extent of radio network/broadcast use and the smallholders' age (chi = 9.58, p = 0.048) and gender (chi = 4.83, p = 0.028).

Automated summary

This study investigated Central Vietnamese smallholders' perspectives on the extent of ICT usage for accessing agricultural information. The main ICT tools used by smallholders were mobile phones, TV, and radio networks/broadcasts, but lack of knowledge and skills for using mobile phone applications were the main challenges they faced. Significant relationships were found between mobile phone use and smallholders' age, gender, and household type, as well as between radio network/broadcast use and smallholders' age and gender.