The Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) - Readiness of Extension Agents in Kwara State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56286/ntujavs.v3i3.647Keywords:
ICTs, Digital Devices, Readiness, Extension AgentsAbstract
The ICT-readiness of extension agents involves assessing their familiarity, skills, availability. access and usage of technology tools that can enhance extension service deliveries. This study assessed the ICTs-Readiness of agricultural extension agents in Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and five Agricultural extension workers were randomly selected for the study. Description statistics such as frequency count, percentage and mean were used for the study. The result revealed that about 64.8% of the respondents had low level of usage of ICTs/Digital devices. About 86.7% of the extension agents were somewhat ready for the use of ICTs/digital devices for agricultural extension services. This study therefore recommends that there should be continuous training of extension agents on the various digital devices so as to enhance extension services deliveries to the farmers in the study area.
References
Agwu A.E, Uche-Mba U.C, Akinnagbe O.M. (2008) Use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) among researchers, extension workers and farmers in Abia and Enugu States: Implications for a national agricultural extension policy on ICTs. Journal of Agricultural Extension. 2008;12(1):37-49.
Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (2000) The APEC e-commerce readiness assessment guide; 2000. [Online] (Accessed Aug 9, 2023) Available:http://www.ecommerce.gov/apec/docs/readiness_guide_files/readiness_guid e_5pdf
Barrett M. (1996). Information technology and innovation: Transformations in the London insurance market. University of Cambridge.
Lakshmi, K.B., Purnima, K.S., & Rani, B. J. (2018). Assessment of e-readiness of extension functionaries of southern states of India in agricultural technology dissemination. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education, 18(2), pp.31-35.
Michels, S.I. and Vancrowther L.D. (2001): Discovering the magic Box: Local Appropriation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): SDRE, FAO, pp. 4 – 5.
Olowokere, G.T. (2006). Use of ICTs among rural dwellers in Oyo-State. An Unpublished B.Sc. thesis, University of Ibadan. Pp. 2, 10, 11.
Poornima C.P, and Husain Shakeer A (2021). A Standardised Scale to Measure the m-Readiness of Farmers. Indian Res. J. Ext. Edu. 21(1), 87-90.
Samansiri, T. (2017). Tea marketing in a digital world: Developing strategies for Sri Lanka tea industry.
Stienen, J, Bruinsma, W and Neuman, F (2007), How ICTs can make a difference in agricultural livelihoods’, International Institute for Communication and Development, , The Hague, the Netherlands.
Wally, D. (2021). Exploring the application of ICTs and big data analytics on climate data in climate-smart agriculture to increase productivity for small-scale farmers: The case of Ghana. Published master thesis. Faculty of Cultural and Social Sciences, Paris, Lodron University of Salzburg and Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Aalborg University, Copenhagen.
Zaied A.N.H, Khairalla F.A, and Al-Rashid W. (2007). Assessing e-Readiness in the Arab countries: Perceptions towards ICT environment in public organizations in the state of Kuwait. The Electronic Journal of e-Government. 2007;5:77-86.