Assessment of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) use among extension agents in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the use of Information and Communication Technologies among extension agents in Imo State. Data were collected from 41 respondent randomly selected with the use of questionnaire and analyzed using frequency count, percentages, means and Pearson Product Moment Correlation for hypothesis testing. Majority (70.7%), (56.1%), and (53.7%) of Extension agents were male, between 41 and 50 years and above 10 years working experience respectively. GSM (mean =3.80), radio (mean =3.71) and television (mean = 3.37) were used by extension agents. There is significant relationship between extension agents’ access and use of ICTs (r=0.663>P.0.05), there was no significant relationship between extension agents socioeconomic characteristics and ICTs use and between ICTs use and competence. The major constraints faced by extension agents are work conditions (m=4.00) and lack of support from government (m=3.83). The study concludes that any effort in improving ICT use for extension delivery should first address the issue of extension workers awareness, competence and access. It is recommended that Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) should provide training for extension agents on the ICTs they scarcely use due to their lack of knowledge of its use.