Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Compliance of Extension Personnel Inimo State Agricultural Extension Service Delivery System of Nigeria

الموضوعات :

Ibezim G. M. C ¹ (Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Abia State University, Umuahia Campus, PMB 7010, Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria)
Osondu C. K ² (Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Abia State University, Umuahia Campus, PMB 7010, Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria)

تاريخ الإرسال : 13 الخميس , ربيع الأول, 1437 تاريخ التأكيد : 13 الخميس , ربيع الأول, 1437 تاريخ الإصدار : 04 الثلاثاء , رمضان, 1435

الکلمات المفتاحية: Information communication technologies, Compliance, Extension personnel,

ملخص المقالة :

The purpose of the study was to examine compliance of extension personnel in Imo state agricultural extension service delivery system of Nigeria. A purposive and multi-stage random sampling was used to select 105 extension personnel from the three agricultural zones of the state. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages, as well as mean score and correlation analysis. Results showed that the extension personnel in the state had a favourable and clear perception of relevance of ICTs for extension service delivery but only used radios, televisions, mobile phones and short message service (SMS) frequently. Generally, they were not able to use computer-based ICTs to perform extension tasks. Results showed that level of education, work experience and income had positive relationship at 5% level of significance with the number of ICTs the extension personnel had access to. ICT training should be built into the regular or periodic training programmes of extension personnel to make them ICTs compliant for improved agricultural productivity and to keep abreast of the current global trend.

المصادر:

1) Aderinto A., Adedoyin, S. F., Awotide, D. C. and Adamu, C. O. (2008) Use of Information and

Communication Technologies (ICTs) among Extensino Personnel in Ondo State. Nigeria Journal of Rural Socioloty (NRSA), 8(1):66-70.

2) Adesope, O. M and Matthews-Njoku, E. C (2005). Perceived Effect of Information Technology. Proceedings of the tenth Annual National Conference of the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON).

3) Agbamu, J. U. (2006). Essentials of Agricultural Communication in Nigeria. Malt house Press Ltd. Lagos, Nigeria.

4) Agumagu, A. C., Adesope, O. M., Matthews-Njoku, E. C. and Nwaogwugwu, O. N. (2008). Availability, access and frequency of information usage and communication technology among extension managers in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology, 8 (2): 56 – 61.

5) Arokoyo, T. (2005). ICT’s Application in Extension Service Delivery. In Capacity Building in Nigerian Agricultural Extension System: Adedoyin, S.F. (ed). Agricultural Extension in Nigeria. Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria ARMTI, Ilorin, Nigeria. Pp. 245-251.

6) Asian Development Bank (ADB). (2003). A strategic approach to information and communication technology. Toward e-development in Asia and the pacific. ADB report, November, 2003.

7) Chapman, R and Slaymaker, T. (2002). ICT’s and Rural Development: Review of the Literature, Current Interventions and Opportunities for Action. ODI Working Paper 192. London.

8) CTA. (2006). ICTs; Transforming agricultural extension an e-discussion, 20th August-29th. September 2005. WAGENINGEN Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural development (CTA) the Netherlands.

9) Greenidge, C. B. (2003). ICTs and the Rural Sector in ACP States. Mirage or Marriage? Feature address delivered at the CTA’s ICT Observatory.

10)Madukwe M. C. (2006). Delivery of Agricultural Extension Service to Farmers in Developing Countries: Issues for Consideration.“Knowledge for development” Observatory on Science and Technology. http://knowledge.ctn.int/en/content/view/full/2009. Accesses 12-1-2009.

11)Meera, S. N., Jhamtani, A. and Rao, D.M.U. (2004). Information and Communication Technology in Agricultural Development. A comparative Analysis of three Projects from India. Agricultural Research and Extension Network (AGREN) Network Paper No. 135, P 14. ODI (Overseas Development Institute). London.

12)Munyua, A. (2000). Farmers’ perception of the Agricultural Information Resource. International Journal of Agricultural Economic and Rural Development, 1 (3): 24.

13)Mwakaje, A. G. (2010). Information and Communication Technology for Rural Farmers Market Access in Tanzania. Journal of Information Technology Impact, 10 (2): 111-128.

14)Okon, D. P. (2005). Evaluation of the Access and Use of Information and Communication Technologies among Public and Private Extension Officers in South-South Zone of Nigeria. An unpublished Ph.D Thesis Department of Rural Sociology and Agricultural Extension MOUAU.

15)Oladosu, I.O. (2005). Extension workers ICT use characteristics and Training needs for the sustainability of rural Development and Extension Training in Nigeria. In Capacity Building in Nigerian Agricultural Extension System: S.F. Adedoyin (Ed): Proceedings of the 10th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria. Illorin. Pp 36 – 41.

16)Olaniyi O. A. (2013). Assessment of Utilization of Information and Communication

17)Technologies (ICTs) Among Poultry Farmers in Nigeria: an Emerging Challenge Journal of Animal Science Advances, 3(7): 361-369.

18)Omotayo, O. M. (2005). Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Agricultural Extension: Emergency Issues in Transferring Agricultural Technology in Developing Countries. In Capacity Building in Nigerian Agricultural Extension System:: S.F. Adedoyin (Ed): Proceedings of 10th annual conference of Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria. Ilorin: 159 – 169.

19)Omotesho, K. F., Ogunlade, I. O. and Muhammad Lawal (2012): “Assessment of Access to Information and Communication Technology among Agricultural Extension Officers in Kwara State, Nigeria”, Asian Journal Agriculture and Rural Development, 2(2): 220-225.

20)Salau, E. S. and Saingbe, N. D. (2008). Access and Utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among Agricultural Researchers and Extension Workers in Selected Institutions in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Production Agriculture and Technology (PAT) 2008; 4(2): 1-11 accessed on 23 April, 2012 from http//www.patnsukjournal.com

21)Unagha, A. O. (2006). Towards an Information and Communication Technology Conscious Nigerian Society. In Uhegbu, A.U (Edu The Research Librarian: Journal of the Nigerian Library Association Abia State. Chapter 1(1): 83 –88.

22)Warren, M. F. (2001). Adoption of ICT in Agriculture: Intrinsic and Instrumental Roles in Technology Transfer. 3rd Conference of the European

Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Montpellier, June. Agro-Montpellier Pp. 675-679.

23)Wirsiy, K. C. and Shafack, R. M. (2002). The impact of Information Technology on Information Dissemination. In Madu, E. C. and Dirisu M.B (eds). Information Science and Technology for Library Schools in Africa. Ibadan Evicoleman. Pp. 56-93.

24)Yakubu, D. H., Abubakar, B.Z., Atala, T. K. and Muhammed, A. (2013). Use of Information and Communication Technologies among Extension Agents In Kano State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 17 (1): 162 – 173

25)Yekini,O. T. and Hussein, L. A. (2008). An assessment of the Relevance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to Agricultural and Rural Development by Research and Extension personnel in South-Western. Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology, 8 (1):79-86.