Food Security, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Economic Growth in ECOWAS

Egbetokun Samuel Olurotimi, Adediran Oluwasogo Sunday, Agosu Peter Minasu

Abstract


ICT is essential in securing food security by supplying farmers with crucial information, such as weather forecasts and crop pricing, and for educating them about modern farming practices. Therefore, the important issue of concern in this study is to what extent food security interacts with ICT to promote economic growth in ECOWAS? And, what is the causality between food security and economic growth in ECOWAS? Hence, the objectives would be to investigate the extent to which food security interacts with ICT to promote economic growth in ECOWAS and assess the causality between food security and economic growth in ECOWAS. The study employed secondary data over the sample period of 2001 to 2022 as sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators. After establishing the interaction effect between food security and ICT to promote economic growth in ECOWAS, the study on the basis of Granger Causality, found that there is bidirectional causality between food security and economic growth. Hence, based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that there should be utilization of mobile technology for agricultural extension services, investment in agricultural skills training, and job creation programs by the governments of ECOWAS countries. These would equip farmers with the capacity to utilize ICT for maximum agricultural output and enhance regional cooperation and trade.


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