The use of mobile phone in camel marketing: The case of Babille district of Fafan zone, Somali region, Ethiopia

This study assessed the use of a mobile phone in camel marketing in Babille district, Fafan zone, Somali region, Ethiopia. A random sample of 130 households was selected from two purposively selected areas (kebeles) in Babille district. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model were used to analyze data. The model result indicated that age, year of education of household head, information seeking behavior, annual household income, access to market information and availability of mobile phone technicians were significant determinants of mobile phone usage. The most important challenges in the use of mobile phones in camel marketing were reported as lack of electricity, phone network interruptions, lack of mobile phone use knowledge, language barriers, lack of access to market information, and absence of organized sources of information. The study recommends a) adult education to enhance ICT usage, b) provision of seasonal extension services, and c) deployment of IT technicians to expand ICT usage in camel marketing in the Somali and other camel rearing regions.