J Biol Today's World 2020; 9(7 ): 231.
Agricultural Extension and Advisory Officers’ Familiarity and
Competence for Application of ICTs in Agricultural Advisory Services
Delivery in Imo State, Nigeria
Godson Ibeji CC1*, Chikaire JU1, Anaeto FC1, Oparaojiaku JO2
1Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
2Department of Agricultural Extension Management, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Ohaji, Imo State, Nigeria
*Correspondence should be addressed to Godson Ibeji CC, Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo
Received: 12 June 2020 • Accepted: 22 June 2020
ABSTRACT
This paper examined the familiarity and competence of agricultural extension staff with and in use of ICT devices for
communication to and with farmers. The specific objectives were to ascertain extension officers ’ familiarity with ICT
devices; identify perceived ICT capability competence of extension officers; and identify perceived challenges facing
extension staff use of ICT devices. One hundred and twenty (120) extension staff of the Imo ADP were purposively
selected and interviewed. Percentage and mean were used to analyse the data. The findings reveal that the extension
agents were familiar with radio, television, computers, internet, projector, printer, ipads, ipods, web-boards, interactive
white boards among others. They have the ability to use computers, knowledge of the internet, use computers to solve
problems, data processing and sending text messages - Lack of training in ICTs, poor infrastructure, and poor power
supply, high cost of ICT devices and high cost of maintenance were challenges facing extension personnel in ICT use. To
improve ICT use by extension offices, training should be given regularly to staff, availability of maintenance shops be
encouraged and cost of ICT device be brought low.
Keywords: Capability, ICT application, ICT competence, Agricultural information, Extension staff.
Copyright © 2020 Godson-Ibeji CC, et al. This is an open access paper distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
Journal of Biology and Today’s World is published by Lexis Publisher.
INTRODUCTION the limitations of time and space in extension service. This is
a viable solution to the problem of reaching plenty farmers at
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play a a time [5]. ICT empowers people by availing them with
critical role in facilitating rapid, efficient and cost effective opportunities to learn, generate income and enable people to
knowledge and information management and communication actively participate in decision making process [6]. In
to the farming community. Muriithi et al. opined that ICTs providing solutions on appropriate ICT applications for
have provided humans with a possible pathway of access to improving extension services, skills and competencies of
agricultural information [1]. stakeholders need to be improved while providing necessary
In the words of Kabura information and communication advocacy.
technologies (ICT) have the capacity to improve farm ICTs and mobile-enabled agricultural services act as
business and networking between farmers, buyers and instruments to deliver extension services and help to create
extension agents and also facilitate access to hidden markets awareness amongst farmers [7]. ICT have shown potential to
[2]. A World Bank report on ICTs for development indicated improve extension and advisory services. Advances in
that connectivity, whether through Internet or mobile phones, information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology
is increasingly bringing market information, financial have put agriculture at the threshold of an exciting frontier of
services, and health services to remote areas, and is helping to opportunities to advance economic growth, sustainability, and
change people's lives in unprecedented ways [3]. the building of human capabilities. Acknowledging this,
With a large number of farmers per EA (more than 3000 Chamala said that extension practitioners in the Cooperative
families per officer), catering to individual needs, extension system will need to develop new educational
requirements and queries of farmers is now beyond the curricula, programs, and delivery systems to facilitate
existing capacity and resources [4]. Applications of ICT will adoption of these technologies [8].
enable people to communicate effectively thus overcoming
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J Biol Today's World 2020; 9(7 ): 231.
Because of the changing nature of our fast developing world, agents of Imo State ADP. Stratified random sampling
there will be new staff competency in the Information technique (a sampling technique used when the sample does
Communications, Web site development, direct customer not constitute a homogenous group) was used in selecting the
assistance technologies (such as use of voice-over-IP), extension respondents for the study. The first strata composed
electronic management of science-based information, of 18 Technical Officers, ZEOs and SMSs), drawn from the
technical applications (such as geographical information three agricultural zones (Table 1). The second group
system and nanotechnology), and delivery of research-based comprised 39 Block Extension Supervisors (BES), while the
extension information and educational programming through third strata comprised of 113 Extension Agents (EAs) as
such means as e-Extension, distance learning, and Web-based. shown in Table 1. Out of the 18 ZOEs/SMSs, 13 were
For extension to be effective there will be a need to educate randomly selected and 37 BESs were also selected randomly,
the users including the managers and the general public on while 70 EAs were randomly selected from 113, making a
how to use technology and the World Wide Web [9]. total of 120 extension officers. Data collected with
questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics. This
In most developing countries, Nigeria inclusive however, the
includes use of percentage presented in frequency distribution
extension system does not have a modern mechanism likewise
table to achieve objective 1. While objective 2 was achieved
ICT to acquire and deliver information to farmers [2]. This
on a three point Likert-type scale of highly capable, capable
paper therefore, investigates extension workers’ familiarity
and not capable, assigned scores (weighted index) of 3, 2 and
and competence for application of ICTs in order to capture
1. The weight index of 3, 2 and 1were added to give 6 divided
and convey agricultural information to the farming
by 3 to give 2.0. Any mean value less than 2.0 was taken as
community.
not capable. Objective 3 was achieved on a four point Likert-
type scale of strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly
METHODOLOGY disagree weighted 4, 3, 2 and 1. The weight index was added
The study was carried out in Imo State ADP (Agricultural to give 10 divided by 4 to give 2.50. Any value less than 2.50
Development Project). The population of the study consists of was not accepted as a challenge faced by extension staff in
all extension technical Officers, extension supervisors, field their use of ICT devices.
Table 1: Distribution of Imo ADP extension personnel.
Category Owerri Orlu Okigwe Total selected
ZEOs/SMSs 9 4 5 13
BESs 20 8 11 37
Eas 56 25 32 70
Total 120
Source : Imo ADP
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION of the following tools were high-desktop/laptops (83.3%),
radio (100%), television (100%), DVDs/CDs (90%),
microphones (95%), projector (65.8%), printer (66.6%),
Table 2 showed that for an extension officer to have photocopier (46.6%), tablets (53.3%), among others. Other
command over his duties, he must first be familiar with his tools were digital cameras (29.2%), pen drive (30.8%),
tools and able to use them when situation calls for that. All the scanners (20%), flash drive (58.3%), facebook (8.3%) web-
extension officers interviewed were familiar with the ICT boards (15%), and ipods/ipads (17% and 40%) respectively.
tools for their work. They are familiar with desktop/laptop Familiarity with a tool is a factor, while its use is another and
computers (100%), digital camera (91.6%), printer (100%), important factor. The tools with low percentage response in
photocopier (100%), tablets (84.2%), ipods/ipads (99.2%) terms of usage could be as a result of their sophistication, cost,
respectively. Other tools included microphones (100%), and economic standing of the extension officer. The table has
facebook (53.3%), and video games (87.5%), USB/Wifi about 20 tools, 10 has use response of 50% and above, while
(95%), flash disc/drive (87.5%), interactive boards (90.8%), the remaining 10, has use response below 50%. The extension
DVDs and CDs (78.1%). Their familiarity with use of radio staff should improve in their ability to use these tools because
(100%), and television (100%) was high. the success of their work depends on familiarity and frequent
use of the tools to solve problems. The use level is not high,
The use of these devices would make them capable of
this is not encouraging at all.
delivering advice to farmers easily and successfully. The use
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J Biol Today's World 2020; 9(7 ): 231.
Table 2: Extension officer’s familiarity and use of ICT devices.
Devices/Tools *Familiarity percentage *Use percentage
Desktop and Laptops 100 83.3
Projector 100 65.8
Digital Camera 91.6 29.2
Printer 100 66.6
Photocopier 100 46.6
Tablets 84.2 53.3
Pen Drive 83.3 30.8
Ipods 99.2 17.5
Ipads 58.3 40
Web boards 56.4 15
Scanners 54.2 20
Microphones 100 95
Interactive white Boards 90.8 53.3
DVDs and CDs 78.1 90
Flash Drives 87.5 58.3
Video games 87.5 37.5
USB or Wifi 95 25
Radio 100 100
Television 100 100
Facebook 53.3 8.3
*Multiple responses
ICT capability of extension workers in Imo state power points, explaining information received, and
exchanging same among others.
Table 3 showed the command extension workers have over
material resources for discharge of their duties-ICT tools. With Again, the extension workers are not competent in certain
a discriminating mean (M) index of 2.0, the table showed the important areas as indicated by the low mean response of
ICT capability of extension workers. The following capability below 2.0. The areas included photo editing (M=1.45), use of
are exhibited by extension staff ability to use computers computers for games and shows (M=1.37), data processing
(M=2.81), this is also called computer literacy. Knowledge of work (M=1.07), use to identify information location (M=1.80),
the internet (M=2.31), use of emails/goggle accounts use to prepare work plan (M=1.61), use to answer question
(M=2.51), word processing (M= 2.30), use in making (M=1.45) and ability to read, interpret icons (M=1.83).
calculations (M=2.20), use of power points for presentations
(M=2.41), sending text messages to farmers (M=2.81), ability The table revealed that core extension communication
practices are not fully handled such as photo editing which
to explain use of located data use to solve farmers problems
(M=2.30), and collaboration, share and exchange information gives a visual picture of extension work demonstration for
(M=2.30). better understanding of factual information. An extension
worker that cannot handle pictures, photographs, games, and
Computer literacy is a stepping stone to efficient and effective data, locate icons and explain them will not succeed in his
use of ICT tools. The changing nature of agricultural extension discharge of duties. Again, preparation of work plans and
practice in our changing world demands the compulsory finding answers/solutions to problems entails the use of ICT
acquisition of computer skills. This can be seen in the areas of tools and gadgets. Where the skills for the above are lacking,
using the internet freely, checking emails and goggle for the capability of such an agent is in doubt.
recent developments, making presentation using
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J Biol Today's World 2020; 9(7 ): 231.
Table 3: ICT capability of extension workers.
Capability indicators Mean SD
Ability to use computers (Literacy) 2.81 0.19
Knowledge of the internet 2.31 0.85
Use of emails/Google accounts 2.51 0.41
Word Processing 2.3 0.61
Use in making calculations 2.2 0.45
Photo editing works 1.45 0.54
Use of computer for games/shows 1.37 0.7
Use of power points for presentations 2.47 0.37
Use to maintain farmer data base 2.04 0.76
Data processing work 1.07 0.52
Text messaging to farmers 2.81 0.74
Use to identify information locations 1.8 0.41
Use icons to locate/generate information 1.79 0.58
Ability to explain use of located data 2.4 0.59
Use to solve farmer problems 2.3 0.45
Use to prepare simple work plan 1.61 0.54
Use ICTs to answer farmer questions 1.9 0.078
Collaboration, share/exchange information 2.3 0.98
Understand computer mediated Communication 1.54 0.61
Ability to read/code computer information 1.76 0.59
Ability to save, retrieve digital data 1.45 0.76
Ability to read interpret Icons 1.85 0.5
Challenges faced by extension workers in using ICT devices use smart phones (2.30), poor power supply (2.90), high cost
of ICT devices among others. This finding is in line with a
Table 4 showed that application of ICT tools by staff is
study by Derso et al. conducted in central highlands of
limited on account of lack of training in ICTs with a mean
Ethiopia that lack of training in ICTs, lack of ICTs use
response of (M=2.85), lack of ICT use awareness (M=2.40),
awareness, poor infrastructure, lack of agricultural information
poor ICT infrastructure (M=2.74), poor access to internet
centre were the major constraints while using ICTs in
(M=2.50), limited access to computer (M=2.41), low level of
agricultural extension [10].
basic computer skills, lack of experience in browsing
(M=2.40), non-availability of computer laboratory, Inability to
Table 4: Challenges faced by extension staff in using ICT device.
Challenges Mean SD
Lack of training in ICTs 2.85 0.74
Lack of ICT use awareness 2.4 0.41
Poor ICT infrastructure 2.74 0.58
Lack of agricultural information Centre 1.89 0.24
Poor access to internet 2.5 0.77
Limited access to computer 2.41 0.67
Low level of basic computer skill 2.9 0.87
Lack of experience in browsing 2.4 0.53
Non availability of computer laboratory 2.76 0.68
Inability to use mart phones 2.3 0.98
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J Biol Today's World 2020; 9(7 ): 231.
Poor power supply (erratic) 2.9 0.49
High cost of ICT devices 2.84 0.61
High Maintenance cost of ICT 2.61 0.59
CONCLUSION 4. Obiechina COB. Lesson from the Implementation of the
The Extension officers were familiar with ICT tools such as Research- Extension-Farmer-Input Linkage System
(REFILs) of the Agricultural Development: Keynote
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