Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of women in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia on using modern technology to enhance their productivity. To achieve this goal, survey design with quantitative method was employed. The primary source of the data was household women. They were selected by using stratified sampling. The data gathering tools were questionnaires, focus group discussions, and interviews. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that 73.2% of the study participants have been using modern technology in their day-to-day life. Additionally, over half of the women indicated that using modern technology has saved their time, increased their income from agriculture, and helped them to live a better life. However, 80% of respondents in Gamo Gofa and 76% in Bench Maji believed that modern technology had no effect in reducing environmental impact. 47.6% of the respondents believed that modern technology reduced cost. In Sidama and Silte zones, 74.5 and 74.88% respectively, of the study participants recognized as modern technology have brought change in their life. 61.83% believed that leading a better life as a result of using modern technology. On the other hand, in Basketo and Semenomo, 68 and 70% of women respectively had negative attitudes towards modern technology in saving their time. In Bench Maji zone, 77% of the respondents believed that modern technology never increased their income. Finally, to improve the existing negative perception of women towards modern technology in some areas of the region, feasible recommendations are made by showing directions to different stakeholders on how to solve the identified shortcomings.

Key words: Women, agriculture, perception, modern technology.