Factors that affect implementation of information Communication technology in small holder Diary Cooperatives: A case study of Kabete In Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Recent efforts to improve smallholder access to agricultural information have seen increased application of Information Communication Technology (lCT) in developing smallholder dairy initiatives. The purpose of this study was to establish the factors that affect implementation of ICT in smallholder dairy co-operatives in Kabete, Kiambu County, Kenya. The study adopted a causal descriptive research. The target population was the smallholder dairy cooperatives in Limuru, Kikuyu, Gatundu, Nderi, Gikambura, Ndumberi and Sigona. Using purposive sampling, the study selected 41 respondents to respond to the study questionnaires which were designed for collecting data. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007 program. The findings indicate that the government's involvement in ICT implementation does not include controlling the cost despite the fact that it has invested in ICT infrastructures. It was established that most dairy cooperatives in Kabete, Kiambu County do not have trained and motivated employees to use modem ICT technologies hence the need for training and assessment. In addition to that, farmers have limited access to finances that could facilitate their accessing ICT from their cooperatives and there is poor infrastructure within the county that affects the cost of implementing ICT. Awareness of ICT benefits is very important as it determines the adoption ofICT. The study recommends that the government takes an active role in controlling the cost of adopting and implementing ICT so that even the financially disabled farmers can be able to access and use it. Cooperatives should recruit well trained and motivated employees to use modem ICT innovations. Further research is recommended on the same topic on a larger scale.