Patterns and drivers of mobile telephony for sustainable livelihood among farming households in Kwara state, Nigeria
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Date
2014
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Abstract
Recently, it is acknowledged that mobile phones provide multiple functionalities and
diverse applications that affect all forms of capital accumulation, necessary for
sustainable livelihood. However, there is no empirical result regarding the impact of
mobile phones on asset accumulation in Nigeria. This study examined the socio-economic
determinants of mobile phone use and intensity of use for sustainable capital formation in
farming households in Kwara state, Nigeria. Accordingly, 120 rural farming households
were randomly sampled and count data on the number of calls made with respect to
livelihood capitals generated. Binary logistic regression and zero-inflated negative
binomial regression models were used in analyzing the data. The study revealed that 73%
of the respondents have access to mobile phone use. The study identifies major uses of
mobile phone for sustainable livelihood enhancement activities. Significant determinants
of mobile phone use are; possession of formal education, household size, age, marital
status, annual farm income, diversity of crop cultivated and the number of family
members living outside the community (p<0.05). This study highlights the relevance of
mobile phones for sustainable development and recommends the need for increased
investment in facilitating access to mobile phone use across rural communities in Nigeria.
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Keywords
mobile phones, capital accumulation, socio-economic