Agricultural workers’ perception of information and communication technology usage for agricultural development in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted with a view to establishing the extent to which agricultural researchers, extension agents and rural farmers perceived the use of ICT for transformation of the Nigeria’s agricultural system. A total of 465 respondents, consisting of 113 researchers and 146 extension agents were randomly selected, using the available sampling frame. A non-probability point of saturation method was used to select 224 rural farmers. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from the agricultural workers on their socioeconomic characteristics and perceptions of ICT usage for agricultural Development. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that the agricultural researchers had a very high perception of ICT usage for agricultural development. The extension agents and rural farmers had a high perception of ICT usage. The regression result showed that researchers’ and extension agents’ levels of education significantly influenced their perception of ICT usage for agricultural activities. Rural farmers’ perception of ICT usage for agricultural activities was significantly influenced by their age. The ANOVA test of differences among the agricultural workers’ perception of ICT usage for agricultural development showed no significant difference. It was concluded that with necessary ICT facilities in place, the agricultural researchers, extension agents and rural farmers, are all likely to harness the potentials of communication-driven technologies for enhancement of agricultural development in southwest Nigeria.