Modelling of mobile phone adoption to access information within banana value chain: a case of Nyeri County, Kenya
Abstract
Farmers need mobile phones to access information to improve their agricultural practices for the enhancement of farm production. Mobile phones can be used to access information on weather, pest and disease control, market prices, inputs and agronomic practices. The objective of this study was to determine the perceived usefulness, social influence, security and ease of use to predict adoption of mobile phones to enhance banana farming in Nyeri County (0.4197° S, 37.0400° E), Kenya. There is limited research between the four factors and use of information and communications technology (ICT) in banana farming. To address this gap, a conceptual model based on two theories-Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology was developed. A total of 597 banana farmers were interviewed after which Partial Least Squares – Structural equation modelling and SPSS data analysis were used to analyze the data. Perceived usefulness (PU) has a positive and significant influence (β = 0.191, P < 0.001; Social influence (SI) has a positive and significant influence (β = 0.176, P< 0.001); Security (SEC) has a positive and significant influence (β = 0.118, P = 0.002) and Perceived ease of use (PEOU) is seen to have a Positive and significant influence (β= 0.169, P < 0.001) on adoption of mobile phones
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