COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF COOPERATIVE AND NON-COOPERATIVE SMALL-SCALE POULTRY FARMERS' USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

The study analysed the cooperative and non-cooperative small-scale poultry farmers’ use of information and communication technologies in North Central Nigeria. The sample comprised 360 cooperative small-scale poultry farmers and 360 non – cooperative smallscale poultry farmers. Data for the study were collected through a well–structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Threeway analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. Generally, the result of the study indicated that there was a significant difference in the cooperative and non – cooperative small scale poultry farmers’ use of all ICTs; the result also indicated that there was a significant interaction effect between cooperative membership and location, the result as well showed that there were locational differences in the use of ICTs by cooperative and non – cooperative small scale poultry farmers. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that efforts be made to sensitise farmers on the benefits of belonging to a cooperative society, as this will benefit and aid their access to inputs and training for increased production.