view of ict to agriculture FAQ

1. Why do we need computer to process data into information?
   We need computers to process data into information because data are raw facts which are yet to be processed and therefore after it has been processed it has turn into information which has meaning to the end user.
2. Discuss the type of opportunity IT offers to people
   a) Software Developer: Software developer implements software solutions by building programs, applications and website. They write and test code, often using development tools. The work can involve talking to clients and colleagues to asses and define what solution of system is needed which means there is a lot of interaction as well as technical work. A computing software engineering or related degrees is often needed but a few employers train up other graduates who can demonstrate, interest in aptitude for software development.
   The key skills include;
   • Analysis
   • Logical thinking
   • Team work
   • Attention to details

b) System Analysis: System analysis examine IT systems and write requirement for new ones. They analyze how well software, hardware and wider IT systems fir the business needs of their employer or of a clients and write requirements for new systems. They may also help implement them, train users and monitor their effectiveness. Travel is a key feature of the job as the majority of work is undertaken at client’s premises.
The key skills include;
• Ability to extract and analyze information
• Communication
• Analysis
• Persuation and sensitivity

c) Business Analyst: Business analysts are equally happy talking with technology people, business managers and end users. They identify opportunities for the improvement to processes and business operations using information technology. The role is project based and begins with analyzing a customers need, gathering and documenting. Business analyst need technology understanding but don’t necessarily need a technology degree.
The key skills include;
• Communication
• Presentation
• Facilitation
• Project management
• Problem solving

d) IT support Analyst: Provides technical set-up, support and advice to IT users via email, phones, social media and in persons. They either provide support within a particular organization or to external businesses, customers of a particular product or on and hoc basis.
The key skills include;
• Wide range tech knowledge
• Problem solving
• Communication and listening
• Patience

e) Network Engineer: Network engineer is one of the more technically demanding IT jobs. Broadly speaking the role involves setting up, administrating, maintaining and upgrading communication systems, local Area Network and wide area networks for an organization for security, data storage and disaster recovery strategies. It is highly technical role and you’ll a hoard of special list technical certifications as you progress. A telecom or computer science-related degree is needed.
The key skills include;
• Specialist network knowledge
• Communication
• Planning
• Analysis
• Problem solving

f) Technical Sales Representatives: It may be one of the least hands on technical roles, but it still requires an understanding of how IT is used In business. You may sell hardware, or extol the business benefits of whole systems or services. The job could involve phone calls, meetings, conference and drafting proposals.
The key skills include;
• Product knowledge
• Persuation
• Inter personal skills
• Drive
• Mobility

1. Who are the professionals and managers of ICT

ICT Professionals and Managers plan, organize, direct, control and coordinate the acquisition, development, maintenance and use of computer and telecommunication system within the organizations.

1. What are the challenges of ICT and how they are addressed
   CHALLENGES OF ICT INCLUDE;
    Cost and Duplication: The cost of the acquisition of ICT gadgets and its attendants installation of software’s, drills a hole into the pocket of the average Nigerian. The practice of capitalism within the nation and duplication of gadgets and software’s.

 Decline in School Activities: ICT has also been blamed for the antisocial behavior prevalent in the society. The internet is a virtual world, an extension of reality but research as confirmed that individuals spend and prefer to exist in the virtual world. Several reasons have been given for this phenomenon, such as the increasing sophistication and complexities of gadgets coupled with the fact that ICT is easily becoming tangential to human lives and activities promotes the challenge to understand and master these hardware and software, thus becoming increasingly engrossed, another reason is that ICT serves as escape from the problems of reality.

 Brain Drain: Technology transmission is inversely proportional to human receptive capacity. Humans in general are now so dependent on technology for the collection and recollection of data and information that the brain seems to be in a state of inertia. It seems the hard drives and flash drives have replaced the store keeping. Function of the brain, the computer does virtually everything the brain does, a trigger for continued and over dependence.

 E-war and Hate Propaganda: ICT gadgets have been used as instruments and for crime and propagation of hate propaganda in Nigeria. The E-tribal war between the tribes of the Yoruba and Igbo’s may not have begun outline but it definitely gained momentum online and have escalated. This is making the government program of one Nigeria nearly impossible. Gadgets that are supposed to connect and reconnect friends and strangers have become a tool for propaganda and war.

 Cyber Crime: In the aspect of crime, Nigeria has a reputation for being cyber crime experts; these are popularly known as yahoo boys. The anonymity the internet provides makes it possible to forge and fake one’s details and pictures; this deceives unsuspecting victims into parting with their money with the belief of either purchasing an item or supporting a cause.

 Cultural Imperialism: Cultural imperialism is a condition which by which one culture replaces another either by coercion or persuation. ICT Gadgets are foreign products; constant purchase of them not only increases and benefits their economy but also makes us subject to subtle advertisement with alluring pictures and messages which promotes foreign brands and make us view national cultural artifacts as sub standard. This evident in the popularity of English language and dresses. Nigeria has over 250 languages of which English language is not one of them, yet it is our lingua franca, some people cannot even speak their native language and their tribal wears looks alien to them.

 Spread of Terrorism: ICT Gadgets due to their far reaching capacity have been used by terrorist to create awareness and instill recognition and fear in the minds of the people. An example of the terrorism group is the Boko Hara, recording and disseminating pictures and videos of hideous acts to the internet for downloading through these gadgets. These gadgets are used to seek for information, human and material resources, gather sympathizers, recognition and maybe even respect. The wide dissemination puts the state in a condition of disarray, another feature in the cap of the terrorist.

 Loss of Identity: Youths have attached their senses of identity to their possession of the latest gadgets and are gratified when they have a good number of views like on the various social media. Not achieving these goals have lead to depression and other desperate action such as posting nude and semi-nude pictures.

HOW TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES
 Recognition and Importation: So long as capitalism remains the dominating economic practice, were they will continue to be creation of more gadgets and ultimately attract more market. However the importation and introduction into the nation’s borders can however be regulated and restricted, this limits or stops the uninhibited dumping of gadgets in Nigeria.

 Balanced flow of Information: There should be a two way flow of information, so messages and adverts from Nigeria reaches the rest of the world, this way, everyone has a balanced view of countries and their products without viewing country’s product or service as either superior or inferior.

 Cultural Intercourse: Cultural intercourse, that is inter relation between and among other cultures, helps, merges each other. No case of cultural imperialism.

 Social Interaction: Events and festivals which bring people of similar or land of differencing tastes should be initiated and promoted. Social groups, age groups, age, grade, activities on the internet. The judiciary should be prepared to reacts swiftly to legalities concerning ICT.

 Reorientations: Development communication programs a form of reorientation of the general public; particularly the youth is needed to orientate them. They do not base their identity on social media status.

 Brain Power: Government development communicators’ society, social group and family units need to cla more for opportunities to utilize brain power and prevent brain drain caused by over reliance of ICT. For example, in the education sector the use of calculators could be limited; family units can encourage memorization such as stories and errands.

 National Pride: Nigeria and the people of Nigeria need to take pride in her custom, culture and history, and subsequently promote these to the international community with pride. Nigerians home and abroad, should own to the responsibility of teaching and speaking the various Nigeria languages rather than hiding under the façade of the English language cocoon; dress in native attires with the same confidence with which foreign attires are worn and ultimately increases the esteem granted to Nigeria values. This inhibits the encroachment and the feel of inferiority ICT seems to exude in the Nigerian society.

1. Explain the three primary components of ICT
   THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF ICT INCLUDE;
    Input Device: Radical improvements are witnessed with respect to the means of communication by human beings with computers such as keyboards, mouse device and scanners. The advent of touch screen monitor that allow users to give input to computers by touching on the appropriate location of the monitor has made it possible to develop user friendly interface for farmers which is easy, intuitive circumvents language barrier and at the same time provides a relaxed environment to the users.

 Output Device: Monitor screen, printers and plotters data projectors supports high resolution and good quality output. The qualities of these output devices have the potentials of generating renewed interest in the farmers in using IT base service.

 Processor: The processing speeds of computers have gone up. At present, Intel P-IV based processors@1-5Ghz are available in the P.C range which makes it possible to undertake substantial processing of data at the clients side.