Abstract
The study investigated the utilization of mobile phones in meeting agricultural
information needs of Irish Potato Rural farmers for bumper harvest in Jos, Plateau State,
Nigeria. Three specific research questions guided the study and one null hypothesis
were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted descriptive
design and was carried out in Plateau State, Nigeria. The population consists of 6,194
registered Irish potatoes rural farmers in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau
State. The sample size of 376 Irish potato rural farmers was drawn for the study using
Taro Yamane formula. The instrument for data collection was a self-developed
questionnaire titled “Utilization of Mobile Phones in meeting Agricultural Information
Needs of Irish Potato Rural Farmers for Bumper Harvest Questionnaire,
(UMPAINIRFBHQ). Data collected were analyzed using Frequency Counts, Percentages,
Mean and Standard Deviation to answer research questions while Chi-square goodness
of fit was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed
that, Irish potatoes rural farmers in Jos, Plateau State, require agricultural information
on best seed selection, fertilizer management, pest and disease control, weather
updates, market trends, and modern farming techniques to achieve a bumper harvest.
Mobile phones play a crucial role in meeting these needs by facilitating access to
agricultural information, expert consultations, market monitoring, and peer networking,
significantly enhancing farm productivity. The study concluded that, mobile phones play
a vital role in meeting the agricultural information needs of Irish potatoes rural farmers
in Jos, Plateau State, significantly contributing to improved farming practices and bumper harvests. The study therefore recommended among others agricultural
extension services should implement regular training programs to educate farmers on
mobile phone usage, digital literacy and rural electrification initiatives and alternative
power sources such as solar chargers should be promoted to ensure continuous mobile
phone usage for accessing agricultural resources.
Keywords: Utilization, Irish potato, Information needs, mobile phones, Rural farmers,
Bumper harvest.
Publication Date: 2026-07-31