The ICT Effectiveness Used by Agricultural Extension Agents in Nigeria

Information has become a vital resource in agriculture, with knowledge and timely data playing a crucial role in equipping extension agents to help farmers take advantage of opportunities that can enhance their agricultural productivity. Agricultural extension services are central to the dissemination of innovations, transfer of knowledge, and empowerment of rural farmers. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) are essential tools that aid information processing and transfer, promoting efficient resource utilisation and improved service delivery. This study assessed the limitations of ICTs in evaluating the job functions of agricultural extension agents in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. The objectives were to: identify available ICT facilities; the availability of ICT facilities among extension agents; usage of ICTs by extension agents; and identify constraints to ICT usage. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select 300 respondents. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique across four stages. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and regression analysis. Findings revealed that mobile smartphones (x̅=4.00) and internet services (x̅=3.99) were the most accessible ICT tools. The pooled result indicates that the extension agent were competent in the use of search engine like google and yahoo (x̅=2.98), can connect to the internet using an internet browser (Mean=2.97), know how to find a particular page (x̅=2.96), can download instructional videos from internet (x̅=2.80), know how to download software (x̅=2.63) and can create and send e-mail to other people (x̅=2.54). The result revealed that there was no significant difference in the ICT competency in ICT usage of extension agents in Delta and Edo states, respectively. The null hypothesis is therefore accepted. This implies that there was no difference in competence among the EAs in the two states. The study recommends improved infrastructure and support for ICT deployment, especially in rural areas. Furthermore, for this growth to be in place, the communications infrastructure should be able to meet the delivery thereby improving farmers’ knowledge about agricultural technologies and bettering their attitude towards innovation adoption.