TITLE PAGE

THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN HORTICULTURAL PRODUCT

(A CASE STUDY OF PLATEAU AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

PROJECT)

BY

SULEIMAN MUHAMMED

UJ/UCL/DIT/18/0017

BEING A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT

OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCE,

UNIVERSITY OF JOS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, IN

PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DIPLOMA IN

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPUTER SCIENCE (DCCS)

OCTOBER, 2018.

i
 APPROVAL PAGE

This research work has been read and approved having met the requirement for

the award of diploma in Information Technology computer science (DCCS).

______________________ ________________

PROJECT SUPERVISOR DATE

MRS. BINTA ROTHSHAK

______________________ ________________

EXAMINATION OFFICER DATE

MR. GOYIT DOMINIC NENGI

______________________ ________________

EXTERNAL EXAMINER DATE

ii
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this research work is original and was carried out by me and

any used material from other projects I certainly acknowledged. This research has

not being presented for any academic or other purpose before.

______________________ ________________

SULEIMAN MUHAMMED IDRIS DATE

UJ/UCL/DIT/18/0017

iii
 DEDICATION

This research project is dedicated to almighty God for his love guidance and

protection over us. Greatest thanks and adoration is due to you for providing me

the platform to under gone and successfully acquired computer skills and

knowledge, heartwarming appreciation goes to my family and my beloved brothers

and sisters.

iv
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My sincere gratitude to my supportive beloved family. for been a great

supportive one, you compliments me in terms of prayers, advices among other

goodness, my appreciation goes to almighty God for making my dream possible

and successful.

I wish to appreciate my kindhearted supervisor Mrs. Binta Rothshak who

took time out of her busy schedule to supervise and make relevant corrections on

this research work, the success of this research work is a reflection of your kind

guidance. A multitude of thanks and appreciation goes to the head of our

department Mr. Goyit Nengi Dominic a passionate and educated philanthropy

who sacrifices all his time in making my program satisfactory and successfully. A

big thanks and appreciation also goes to my exceptional Lecturers, Mr. Peter

Biyai, Mr. Nengi, Mr. Mohammed, Mr. Akaso and Mr. Nenman for their kind

assistance and guidance towards achieving my dream.

v
 ABSTRACT

This research titled “the relevance of information communication technology

(ICT) in horticultural products”, Investigates the profitability of applying

computer and agriculture innovative technology in horticulture management. The

study became necessary as a result of increased adoption of computer in every

sphere of life. Computer has redefined the agriculture system of farming in

Nigeria and to an extent the world. Random sampling method was adopted for

collecting the data collected from the field (P.A.D.P)., the Organization has

consistently remain as the brand governmental initiatives encouraging farming

with beneficiary farmers all around plateau, the response was analyzed and

presented using statistical technique (%), the simple percentage. findings of the

study have indicated positive and gross profit, productivity was recorded by

farmers and horticulturist that adopt computerization.

vi
 TABLE OF CONTENT

Contents
TITLE PAGE..................................................................................................................................................i
APPROVAL PAGE.......................................................................................................................................ii
CERTIFICATION........................................................................................................................................iii
DEDICATION..............................................................................................................................................iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...........................................................................................................................v
ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................................................vi
CHAPTER ONE............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................1
1.2 BACKGROUND OF PLATEAU AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.....................2
1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM.........................................................................................................4
1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY.........................................................................................................4
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY...................................................................................................5
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY..................................................................................................................6
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY.......................................................................................................6
1.8 DEFINATIONS OF TERMS.............................................................................................................6
CHAPTER TWO...........................................................................................................................................8
LITERATURE REVIEW..............................................................................................................................8
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................8
OVERVIEW OF HORTICULTURE AND BRANCHES............................................................................8
2.21 BRANCHES OF HORTICULTURE................................................................................................9
EMERGING CHALLENGES FOR HORTICULTURE.............................................................................10
2.4 TECHNOLOGY AND HORTICULTURAL PRACTICES...........................................................12
2.4.1 TELEGARDEN...........................................................................................................................12
2.4.2 THE DISTRIBUTED ROBOTIC GARDEN (MIT)...................................................................13
2.5 SUMMARY.....................................................................................................................................15
CHAPTER THREE.....................................................................................................................................17
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................17
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................17
3.2 POPULATION FOR THE STUDY.................................................................................................18
3.3 SAMPLE OF THE STUDY.............................................................................................................18
3.4 SAMPLE TECHNIQUE..................................................................................................................18
3.5 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION............................................................................................19
3.5.1 PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION.........................................................................................19
7
 3.5.2 SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION...................................................................................19
3.6 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT..........................................................................................................19
3.7 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS.................................................................................................20
CHAPTER FOUR........................................................................................................................................21
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA...........................................................................21
4.1 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................21
4.2 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS.....................................................................................21
CHAPTER FIVE.........................................................................................................................................27
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION....................................................................27
5.1 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................27
5.2 SUMAMRY.....................................................................................................................................27
5.3 CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................28
5.4 RECOMMENDATION..................................................................................................................29
APPENDIX I...............................................................................................................................................30
QUESTIONNAIRE.....................................................................................................................................31
REFERENCE.............................................................................................................................................33

8
 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Horticulture is a boon of nature which is refined by human skill as a science

to obtain more and more benefits. It involves rigorous cropping expertise,

including the improvement, production, distribution and use of vegetables, fruits,

woody landscape and greenhouse plants. Horticulture is now one of the fastest

growing industries with striking professional opportunities. An increasing

proportion of the world’s population is living in metropolitan environments where

their understanding of farming, and therefore of food production, is becoming

progressively more poor. While in 1950 approximately 71% of the world’s

population lived in rural locations, this had declined to 50% in 2011 and is

anticipated to be as low as 30% globally by 2050 (MARTIN R.A, 2005).

In many countries large scale production of agronomic crops through genetic

manipulation is being extensively used. However, production of horticultural crops

by genetic manipulations is grossly increasing. This is as a result of gross

integration of research in areas like genetic engineering, biotechnology, botany,

agronomy, computing and floriculture among others. Current trends indicate that

consumers are looking for increased variety, freshness, and healthy options in their

eating choices. They are also seeking greater ease and a higher proportion of fresh

produce in their diets. Those in metropolitan environments are more and more
1
aware of and dependent on green spaces for their livelihoods and wellbeing. The

future for horticulture and its foundation sciences within such an environment is,

therefore, exhilarating, tricky, motivating and surely worthwhile.

The concept of sustainability of horticultural crops narrate both to the use of

resources, such as water and nutrients, in a way which considers future needs, and

the accountable use of objectionable compounds such as pesticides which will not

compromise the quality of the environment. Availability of water is the most

relevant issue that is facing horticultural production in almost all areas of the

world. Hence, research is desirable to assess the impact of biotechnology to the

development of drought tolerant crops, the management of crops under managed

water deficits, use of low quality/ waste water and the use of more efficient

application methods, viz. enclosed systems such as simple greenhouses. Integrated

crop production systems have been revealed to be useful on a number of crops for

reducing the pesticide applications and for shifting to new control compounds that

have less perseverance in the environment and which are of lower overall toxicity.

This research work will assesses and investigate the importance of biotechnology

(Information communication technology) on the practices and management of

horticulture products.

1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Plateau agricultural development project (PADP) is a statutory Nigerian

agricultural development organization that operates under the state government of

2
plateau state north central Nigeria. The agricultural development organization was

initially funded in 2004. The philosophical aims and mission of the organization is

to support the agricultural development within the state and its environment. The

organization through awareness, sensitization and support initiatives programme

has attract the mind of the general public to the practices of agriculture. The

organization through synergy and cooperation with various community, farmers

group and union has a comprehensive database of the farmers in the state with the

major crops they always cultivate. This has indeed greatly helps in terms of

making decision of providing the support in line to the need and demand of the

farmers. The scheme has some programmes for assisting farmers to find potential

farmers to patronize their farm products locally and at the national level. However,

the organization maintain continues system of upholding the corporate values and

mission of the organization and plateau state government on actualizing its aim of

fulfilling on food sufficiency. The organization in consideration to the dynamic

increase of our societal population has continue to mobilize and attract new minds

to the field of agriculture and also integrate their record to the existing database,

this is with the view of its important to decision making especially in terms of

sustaining judicious and accountability in distributing support items like fertilizer,

improve seedling among others to the farmers. The organization also liaise with

some horticulture gardens in the state to developed, encourage and put more

grounds to ensure continues practice of farming for the betterment of our

environment, thereby maintaining a pollution free or less society.

3
1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

This research work is initiated with the sole aim of addressing some

challenges and issues experience in the area of horticulture. The problem identified

will be outlined and thorough research or investigation will be embarked to

provide solution or remedy to the problems especially by applying information

communication technology. In this research, horticulture is the science and art of

growing fruits, vegetables, flowers or ornamental plants. the problems that are

obviously faced in horticulture practices includes lack of consistency in addressing

disease control, unstable climate and weather, lack of adequate statistics on

agricultural parameters, lack of adequate preservation of crops, and lack of timely

platform for selling crops which at times leads to spoilage. The majority of the

problems that is faced currently is often associated with manual practices of

horticulture, with computerization and mechanization, the farmers can easily and

timely address most of the menace through technological equipment, like robots,

computerized disease prediction system, more so, farming activities and

transaction can be easily computed and stored using computer for future used.

There are quite a lot of advantages and benefits that is attributed with the adoption

of computerization (ICT) in horticulture practices.

1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The major concern of this research work is:

4
 1. To determine the role of computer in effective management of farming

records.

2. To promote the used and adoption of computer in horticulture practices.

3. To assess how computer impact Plateau agriculture development project.

4. To explored on the opportunities drive from computerize record keeping.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The research on the topic “THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN HORTICULTURAL

PRACTICES AND MANAGEMENT.” will be of great significance to many

domain and literature of knowledge. Its findings or results can be applicable in

virtually every field of human Endeavour especially horticultural practices and

management. It will also broaden the knowledge of the researcher as well as

enlighten, educate and informed any beneficiary of the research on the subject

matter. Additionally, the research work would serve as a vital source of reference

for those wishing to embark on further research as it provides some descriptive,

explanatory and explorative points that can be developed.

The outcome of this study would serve as a blueprint for plateau agricultural

development project, as well as others institutions or organizations will equally

benefitted from the research findings.

5
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study will be based on the application of technology

especially ICT in horticulture practices and management. The research is narrow to

P.A.D.P so as to provide and conform to the research aims of providing reliable,

accurate and concise result that will best reflect to the local demands and need of

the horticultural practice. Moreover, it is concern with the trends and practices of

horticulture using technological innovation and findings. The research was

conducted from august, 2017.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The limitation of this research work among others includes time; this will

affect the scope of the study considering the broad nature of the research topic, as

well as the lack of adequate and proper cooperation from the respondents, which is

largely attributed with illiteracy. Therefore, due to the above factors among others

the researcher’s main focus will be limited to P.A.D.P for better and dependable

result.

1.8 DEFINATIONS OF TERMS

COMPUTER: computer is defined as an electronic device or machine that accepts

instruction as input, processed, stored and retrieves the result as output based on

the instruction from the user.

P.A.D.P: Plateau Agricultural Development Project.

6
DATA: is a raw fact or unprocessed information.

DATABASE: is an organized collection of related information

BOON: means a benefaction, blessing or great privilege.

FLORICULTURE: is the practice of cultivating flowers.

TOXICITY: is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture

of substances can damage an organism.

ICT: information communication technology

7
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Technological revolution has completely changed and redefined the modern

agricultural system, since the advent of agriculture around 12,000 years ago;

humans have developed a highly sophisticated system for global food production

with the most rapid technological advances occurring during the second half of last

century. Agriculture has not only adopted new machinery, but also the financial,

cultural, and ideological apparatus of industrialism. This process has led to ever

increasing farm equipment, modern plant breeding programs, the use of synthetic

fertilizers, delivery of water via irrigation systems, and the use of pesticides to

control crop herbivore, which has all contributed to tremendous increases in crop

yield. Horticulture like other sub field of agriculture has grossly benefited from this

trends and innovation. This research work will assess the role of technology (ICT)

on horticultural practices.

OVERVIEW OF HORTICULTURE AND BRANCHES

Horticulture consists of two parts, Hortus and Colere all the two terms are

derived from Latin were Hortus meaning garden and Colere meaning to grow or to

cultivate (Cultura meaning cultivation). The word horticulture -first conceived by

Peter Laurenberg, in English language the word horticulture -used for the first time

8
in 1678 in a book entitled “New World of Words” by Phillips Horticulture can also

be defined as the branch of agriculture concerned with intensively cultivated plants

directly used by man for food, for medicinal purposes or for aesthetic purposes. In

other words, Horticulture is a science and technique of production, processing and

merchandizing of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantations, medicinal and

aromatic plants (HEMLA NAIK; 2011)

2.21 BRANCHES OF HORTICULTURE

Horticulture is a wide field which includes a great variety and diversity of

crops. The science of horticulture can be divided into several branches depending

upon the crops it deals with. The following are the branches of horticulture.

Pomology: study of fruit crops, Olericulture: cultivation of vegetables

Floriculture : cultivation of flower crops, Plantation crops : cultivation of

coconut, rubber, coffee, tea, etc, Spices crops : cultivation of cardamom, pepper,

nutmeg etc, Medicinal and aromatic crops: cultivation of medicinal and

aromatic crops, Post harvest technology: deals with post harvest handling,

grading, packaging, storage processing, value addition, marketing etc, of

horticulture crops, Plant propagation : deals with propagation of plants.

ACCORDING to NAIK (2012); Horticulture is thus important in areas of

source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, flavor, aroma, alkaloids, oleoresins, fiber,

etc. its also good source of medicine. It also good source of economic proposition

and development, good source of independent employment and making money job
9
opportunity, it also helps in Effective utilization of waste land through cultivation

of hardy fruits and medicinal plants among other.

EMERGING CHALLENGES FOR HORTICULTURE

The organized supply of a wide range of reasonably priced horticultural

crops in most developed countries has led to a marked gratification about the need

for ongoing R&D programmes in horticulture. Consequently, many governments

world-wide have scaled back funding for food production (at least in the applied

areas of R&D) and unfortunately, most research- driven universities have now

disbanded horticulture/horticultural science departments and combined them into

plant science departments with a very strong focus on the molecular sciences. On

the contrary, the basic necessity for research on horticultural crops has not

decreased, rather the challenges have increased in complexity given the existing

consumer demands for affordability, safety and continuity of supply; increasing

Needs to achieve sustainable practices; and the requirements to deal with

challenges originating from a more uneven climate, the loss of productive soils

through urban intrusion, and the loss of low-cost labour. Hence, specific priorities,

as given below need to be identified for horticultural research to meet such

challenges. With ever increasing public consciousness, the promotion of healthy

habit benefits through the eating of various fresh and dried fruits and vegetables as

well as their juices, dried products and extracts—many of which have extensive

on-label claims is on the rise. However many such claims have not in fact been

10
clinically confirmed and regulators are increasingly requiring label claims to either

be substantiated or removed. Obviously, to correctly determine the presumed

health benefits in many fruits and vegetables would be an interesting area of

Endeavour where there is a union of horticultural science with nutritional and

medical research. Further, owing to increased consumer interest towards the eating

of fresh rather than frozen produce, another challenge for horticultural science is to

improve methods for short- term storage so that best quality is retained rather than

to focus on longer-term storage for prolonged marketing.

The concept of sustainability of horticultural crops narrate both to the use of

resources, such as water and nutrients, in a way which considers future needs, and

the accountable use of objectionable compounds such as pesticides which will not

compromise the quality of the environment. Availability of water is the most

relevant issue that is facing horticultural production in almost all areas of the

world. Hence, research is desirable to decide issues such as the development of

drought tolerant crops, dealing with increased salinity, the management of crops

Under managed water deficits, use of low quality/ waste water and the use of more

efficient application methods, viz. enclosed systems such as simple greenhouses.

Integrated crop production systems have been revealed to be useful on a number of

crops for reducing the pesticide applications and for shifting to new control

compounds that have less perseverance in the environment and which are of lower

overall toxicity HEWETT (2014).

11
2.4 TECHNOLOGY AND HORTICULTURAL PRACTICES

Since the first deliberate sowing and harvesting around ten thousand years

ago, agricultural techniques have been industrially streamlined and transformed the

vegetable garden from a necessary part of every household to a luxury hobby in the

developed world. Efficiency and productivity has increased exponentially with the

industrialization and computerization of the horticultural practice and profession

DIMITRI, A. EFFLAND, (2010). The following are major ways technology

changed the landscape and redefined the scope of horticultural profession:

12
2.4.1 TELEGARDEN

13
 The Telegarden, has been developed by researchers at the University of

Southern California (Prof. George Bekey and Prof. Ken Goldberg), together with

performance artists (Joseph Santarromana). It is primarily an art installation that

allows internet users to view and interact with a remote garden filled with living

plants. Members can plant, water, and monitor the progress of seedlings via the

tender movements of an industrial robot arm. The Telegarden went online in

summer 1995 and attracted over 9000 visitors to help cultivating it in the first year.

The garden was then moved to the lobby of the Ars Electronica Center in Austria,

where it remained till 2004. The system consists of an industrial robot arm that is

statically mounted in the center of a circular pot filled with soil, see also Figure 2.

The robot arm’s end-effectors is equipped with a camera, a watering hose, and a

mechanism to deposit seeds into the soil, which are networked with the internet.

Users have the ability to login to the system from anywhere in the world, control

the position of the robot arm, observe the field through the camera, and trigger

watering and seed deposition. The system thus provides only two distinct forms of

actuation, distributing water and depositing seeds. It has a single mode of sensing,

namely vision. All decisions being made by online visitors based on their

perception are limited to these two modes of actuation and are exclusively

14
informed by visual feedback through the robot’s sensor.

Figure 1

2.4.2 THE DISTRIBUTED ROBOTIC GARDEN (MIT)

The Telegarden, which focuses on actuation and relies on humans for

perception and decision-making, the distributed robotic garden at MIT is a first

attempt of an integral system that combines sensing, computation and actuation.

The system consists of two mobile robots that are equipped with mobile

manipulators, water bottles and cameras and tend to four potted cherry tomato

plants, Each plant in the system is augmented with the capability to keep track of

its own state, measure the humidity of its soil, and call a robot for help if needed by

integrating a small computer, humidity sensor, and communication device into its

pot. Distributing sensing and computation in this way has the following

15
advantages: instead of maintaining a central database with potentially hundred

thousands of plants, and keeping track of how tall each one is and how many fruits

it bears, this information could be stored right at the plant. The plant could also use

this data to perform simple reasoning such as “my fruit were green two weeks ago

so they must be red now” and have it updated by robots that can be recruited to this

purpose. For example a plant can ask a robot to perform an inventory of its fruit

status. In order to do this, the robot positions itself in front of the plant, sweeps its

camera in front of it and counts the number of red and green tomatoes it sees as

well as their position. This distributed architecture is important as it allows the

system to be scalable, that is remain operational even if the number of plants are

infinite, as there is no central “bottleneck” through which information need to pass

and where decisions need to be made.

16
Figure 2

The system was able to perform the following functions: respond to a watering

request by a pot by autonomously docking at the plant and delivering a fixed

amount of water, performing an inventory consisting of location and color of fruits

on a plant and storing this information on the plants database by wirelessly

communicating with its pot, and harvesting a specific fruit by obtaining its

approximate location from the pot’s database, visually serving to it and grasping it

with its claw.

2.5 SUMMARY

This chapter of the research has conceptually and systematically reviewed

the role of technology specifically (information communication technology) in the

17
field of horticulture. The research findings indicate that today technology through

computerization is applied in virtually every field of horticultural practices; it

ranges from synthetic fertilizer, agro robots, improved seedlings, tele-garden

among others. In conclusion, the researcher has observed that computer is

essentially important in the field of horticulture and references were equally

provided.

18
 CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

Research is defined as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent

information on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation.

The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary lays down the meaning of

research as “a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new

facts in any branch of knowledge.” REDMAN AND MORY define research as a

“systematized effort to gain new knowledge.” Some scholars consider research as

a movement, a movement from the unknown to the known. Research can be view

as a voyage of new discovery. We all possess the vital instinct of inquisitiveness or

curiosity about how things happen within our environment. What happen, how,

and why among other unknown confronts us, we wonder and our inquisitiveness

makes us probe and attain full and fuller understanding of the unknown. This

inquisitiveness is the mother of all knowledge and the method, which man employs

for obtaining the knowledge of whatever the unknown. The process of making this

discovery or findings is called research (ACKOFF; 2010).

According to CLIFFORD WOODY research comprises defining and

redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting,

organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and

at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the
19
formulating hypothesis. Thus, research methodology can be described as the

systematic process or procedure of identifying a problem and the stages involvesin

developing and providing a reliable and concise answer or solution to the problem.

3.2 POPULATION FOR THE STUDY

Population refers to the sum total number of member or element in a

particular area. In research context, the total number of individuals in the

population (P.A.D.P) is what makes up the research population. More so, the

researcher is interested in all the individuals but cannot conform to all the

individuals, therefore a sample size will be drafted to represent the population.

3.3 SAMPLE OF THE STUDY

According to ADEFILAN (2008) sampling refers to the selected members

of the population that are concisely selected to represents all the member of the

population. In other words, sample is the set of elements that equally represent an

entire population in study. However, a sample size was adopted to select some

members to represent all the people in the population (P.A.D.P).

3.4 SAMPLE TECHNIQUE

Sample technique involves the procedure of selecting members of the

population that will represent the entire population. In this research project, a

simple random technique will be used or adopted to select the respondents. The

respondents will be provided with ten (10) well structure and articulated questions

20
that was design to reflect the basis of the research work. The number of the

questionnaire administer are twenty (20) respondents draft to represent the entire

population.

3.5 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

The primary and secondary sources of data collected were adopted in this

research work. The task of data collection begins after research problem has been

defined and research designed about the method of data collection to be used for

the study as is listed below i.e. primary and secondary data collection.

3.5.1 PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION

This is those data which are collected afresh and for the first time and thus

happen to be original in character e.g. questionnaire and interview.

3.5.2 SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION

On the other hand, are those which have already been collected by some one

else and which have already passed through the statistical process and printed

materials such as text book, newspaper, unpublished materials journal are

considered in secondary source or instrument of data collection.

3.6 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

The major research instrument of this study shall consists of ten (10)

question drafted to collect relevant information from the respondents, the questions

are drafted in the form of questionnaire.

21
3.7 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

The method used to analyses the questionnaire is simple percentage, which

is presented in tabular format using frequency distribution and consequently

converted into percentage for easy analysis.

no of respondent 100
SIMPLE PERCENTAGE (%) =
∑f
X 1

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter will give a comprehensive analysis of the responses from the

questionnaires as provided by the respondents, which was designed to determine

22
the perception of the public on computerization, Information communication

technology (ICT) and modern horticultural system.

4.2 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

A total of twenty (20) questionnaires were administered to the population at

Plateau Agricultural Development Project (PADP), this is the adopted sample size

which equally represent the entire population. The respondent successfully filled

and returned the questionnaires, thus the entire questionnaire distributed to the

respondents were successfully completed and returned.

Table 4.2.1: Did you agree that computer play vital role in horticulture?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 20 100

No 0 0

Total 20 100

From the table above Table 4.1.2, it can be seen that twenty (20) respondents

representing 100% proposed that computer plays significant role on horticulture,

while none of the respondents choose no.

Table 4.2.2: Did you agree that the use of computer will reduce cost and improve

productivity in horticultural practices?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 20 100

23
 No 0 0

Total 20 100

From the table above Table 4.1.3, it can be seen that twenty (20) respondents

representing 100 % agreed that the use of computer reduce cost as well as

improved productivity, none of the respondents choose no.

Table 4.2.3: Did you agree that computer enhanced and improved the business

transaction?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 20 100

No 0 0

Total 20 100

From the table above Table 4.1.4, it can be seen that twenty (20) respondents

representing 100 % agreed that computer improved the business transaction of

horticulture products, while none of the respondents choose no.

Table 4.2.4: Did you agree that computer reduce the risk of farming loss

especially in respect of disease control?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 17 85

No 3 15

Total 20 100

24
From the table above Table 4.1.5, it can be seen that seventeen (17) respondents

representing 85% agreed that computer reduce the risk of farming loss especially

in respect of disease control, while 3 respondents representing 15% choose no.

Table 4.2.5: Computer and information communication technology (ICT) enhance

and Serve as instrument of positive change and development in horticulture?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 16 80

No 4 20

Total 20 100

From the table above Table 4.1.6, it can be seen that sixteen (16) respondents

representing eighty (80%) agree that computer and ICT enhanced and attracts gross

development in horticulture, while four (4) respondents representing ten (20)

percents choose no.

Table 4.2.6: Did you agree that computerization improved maximizing profit

making and reduces human energy involve in horticulture practices?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 15 75

No 5 25

Total 20 100

From the table above Table 4.1.7, it can be seen that fifteen (15) respondents

representing seventy five (75) agree computerization improved and maximize

25
profits making, while five (5) respondents representing twenty five (25) percents

choose no.

Table 4.2.7: Did you agree that computer help job employment?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 14 70

No 6 30

Total 20 100

From the table above Table 4.1.8, it can be seen that fourteen respondents

representing seventy (70%) agree horticulture and computerization brings about

Job employment, while six (6) respondents representing 30% percents choose no.

Table 4.2.8: Did you agree that computer greatly help advertising or marketing a

horticultural products?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 20 100

No 0 0.0

Total 20 100

From the table above Table 4.1.8, it can be seen twenty (20) respondents

representing one hundred (100) percent`s agree that computer is efficient and

greatly helps on advertising horticultural products, here none of the respondent’s

choose No.
26
Table 4.2.8: Did you surf the internet for research and other horticultural

purpose?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 20 100

No 0 0

Total 20 100

From the table above Table 4.1.10, it can be seen twenty (20) respondents

representing one hundred (100) percent`s agree that computer greatly help them in

research in respect of horticulture and other purpose like entertainment., here none

of the respondent’s choose No.

Table 4.2.8: Do you experience any challenge?

VARIABLE RESPONSES PERCENTAGE (%)

Yes 15 75

No 5 25

Total 20 100

From the table above Table 4.1.10, it can be seen fifteen (15) respondents

representing seventy five (75) percent`s agree that some challenges is experienced

while online, while five (5) respondents representing 25 % choose no.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 INTRODUCTION

Agriculture is as old as human creature himself, agriculture started from the

pre-mechanical, mechanize down to the present computerized era. The changes

have been grossly attributed to the advances in research and technology.

Computerized farming is an agricultural technique or system involving large-scale,

stacked farming using improved seedlings, fertilizers and absolute low human

power is involved. Advances in agricultural technology has create a new

interesting field of horticulture were fruit and flowers our cultivated for

ornamentation and human consumption. Horticulture is mostly practices in urban

areas. Horticulture farming is the system of farming of fruits, vegetables, grains,

28
and flowers. This research has review the positive impact of technology to

horticulture.

5.2 SUMAMRY

Today, our world produces sufficient food to nourish and energies our body.

However, the practices of farming especially the horticultural aspect is hinder with

profound challenges which technology and advances in research is concerned and

tend to address. This research work has assessed and reviews the advent, impact

and roles of computerization, ICT, and technological innovation in the field of

horticulture. In the world of tomorrow the availability of sufficient food is no

longer problem, as computerization is well position to address all orts of obstacles

or challenges that dire affect the practice of farming. In addition, agriculture today

is professional work that doesn’t required any human power to practices, In fact,

with the growth of the global population and increasing demands food is very

prominent, if proper technology is applied to farming the returns or profit can be

very interesting and absolutely lucrative.

5.3 CONCLUSION

The demand for useful and efficient technology is grossly growing as

horticulture enterprises become more sophisticated. Today, horticultural products

are produce and exports all over the world, horticulture contribute to a great

percentage of Indian, USA, and Thailand economy. Further, with the advent of

new technologies, viz. remote sensing, environmental monitoring, image analysis

29
among others, there is a growing expansion of the system of farming horticultural

products. However, challenges relate to the provision of relevant knowledge and

the most effective means of managing the horticultural products is a major

concern.

However, since most fruit crops of horticulture are vegetative propagated

and not seed propagated. The task of conserving the fruits over a long time is a

major concern and there is limited options for their effective conservation, while at

times its relatively expensive or not affordable by a local horticulturist,; hence such

issues a challenge and need to be addressed. If technology is properly adopted, the

horticultural industry will see a rapid transfer and adoption of knowledge. This will

comprise the transfer of major enterprises from developed to developing countries

as they would have to meet the needs of year-round production and in response to

securing lower-cost land and labor. Eventually, this process would require

involvement of governments and major stakeholders in the society.

5.4 RECOMMENDATION

The researcher`s made the following recommendations.

1. There is a need for the government and corporate organization to find lasting

solution to major problems of horticultural production.

2. Soft loan should be judiciously provided and allocated to horticulturist

farmers, this will improved yield and high rate of fruits production.

30
 3. Proper sensitization should be made in respect of role of technology to

farming activates, this ranges from farming, cultivating, advertising and

finally selling the product using computer technology.

4. Government should give priority to farming as this can contribute grossly to

national development.

APPENDIX I

University of Jos,

Information Technology institute,

P.M.B, No 11 Murtala Muhammad

Way Jos, Plateau state

7th/January/2018.

Dear Respondent,

LETTER OF RESPONDENTS

I am a final year student from University of Jos Information Technology,

undertaken a research work on the topic, “THE RELEVANCE OF

31
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN

HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS” (A CASE STUDY OF PLATEAU

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT; JOS NORTH).

I therefore, wish to solicit your kind corporation by considering the

questionnaire attached. This research is purely academic exercise, thus, responses

shall be treated confidentially.

Thank you for your co-operation

YOURS FAITHFULLY,

QUESTIONNAIRE

Name: ______________________________________________

Sex: Male ( ) Female ( )

Marital Status: Single ( ) Divorce ( )

Qualification: Diploma ( ) Degree ( ) HND ( ) Others

Department: ______________________________________________

SECTION B

S/N QUESTIONS VARIABLE

Did you agree that computer play vital role in horticulture? Yes

1 No

Did you agree that the use of computer will reduce cost and Yes

2 improve productivity in horticultural practices? No

32
 Did you agree that computer enhanced and improved the Yes

3 business transaction? No

Did you agree that computer reduce the risk of farming loss Yes

4 especially in respect of disease control? No

Computer and information communication technology (ICT) Yes

5 enhance and Serve as instrument of positive change and No

development in horticulture?

Did you agree that computerization improved maximizing Yes

6 profit making and reduces human energy involve in No

horticulture practices?

Did you agree that computer help job employment? Yes

7 No

Did you agree that computer greatly help advertising or Yes

8 marketing a horticultural products? No

Did you surf the internet for research and other horticultural Yes

9 purpose? No

33
 REFERENCES

ACKOFF; (2010). The robot in the Garden First Ed.

EFFLAND, (2010). Current Trends and Emerging Challenges in Horticulture

Ondo: Ola Press Ondo, 2014.

NAIK; 2011) The Principle of HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY. Jos:

Tresure Base press Jos , 2012.

REDMAN AND MORY The chanlenges of managing records . Lagos: Adebayo

press lagos , 2014.

Raymond et al, (2008) statistical analysis for researchers 8 th Ed. New Delhi

Kindersley (Lagos).

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