INFLUENCE OF ICTS ON E-AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES: INSIGHT FROM NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Agricultural extension in this information age has been recognized as an essential medium of disseminating information and advice to farmers and this is achieved through the usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The paper dwelled on the influence of ICTs for E- agricultural extension services in three selected Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) of Niger state. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select (204) Extension Agents as respondents. Data were analyzed using both frequency and percentages of summated scores by categorization into high moderate, and low range, chi-square, and regression analysis. Result reveal the highest proportion of the respondents use Mobile phones and television (M=422; M=4.41). However, the levels provide a true picture of what is on the ground at the time of conducting this study. A moderate level was shown on Radio (M=3.06) and a Low level on the internet (M=2.15). Therefore, the overall mean score on ICTs (M= 3.46) signifies a moderate level on the usage of ICTs for E-agricultural extension services. There was a statistically significant relationship between ICTs and E-agricultural extension services. Results of regression analysis revealed that the influence of ICTs was statistically and positively significant on E-agricultural extension services. Therefore, there is a need for a schedule of programs on ICTs for extension personnel as ICTs play a vital role in E-agricultural extension.