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Abstract
The factors influencing the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and
the effect on the efficiency of maize marketing in North-Central Nigeria were analyzed; based
on profit margins, factor effects and logit regression model. Results showed that age of
marketers, education, regulatory bodies, market channels, marketing cost and ICT
significantly affect maize marketing efficiency; and that maize marketing was price efficient
but operationally inefficient (ranging from 194.83 to 399.46 percent). Sources of market
information were: extension agents (53 percent), radio and television (53 percent), mobile
phones (47 percent), video programs (30.5 percent), and internet (25 percent). Furthermore,
the costs of mobile phones and air time, electricity, phone support services, internet services,
radio and television network services, and literacy of marketers significantly influence the
use of ICT. The use of mobile phones should be promoted for disseminating market
information and market infrastructure should be improved.