Abstract

This study investigated the role, impact, level of use and potentials of integrating Information and Communication Technologies (ITCs) into agricultural development process in Oluyole local government area of Nigeria. The study observed that as much as finance and infrastructure were important in developing agriculture, much more were required in the form of ICTs to adequately extend innovations to effectively employ resources, take advantage of new methodologies and markets to better the lots of living standard of the farmers. Based on the findings, it was recommended that ICTs should be incorporated into all endeavours related to agricultural development. Awareness should be generated among young and middle-aged farmers about availability of ICT services in order to increase farmers’ participation in ICT initiatives. Also, since small or and marginal farmers were using ICTs services, more emphasis should be given to providing information strictly relevant to their farming systems. Strong interfaces should be developed at village level so that the problem of computer illiteracy among farmers may be resolved.

Key words: Nigeria, Oyo state, information, communication, technologies, rural farmers.