An assessment of information seeking behavior of agricultural agents to retrieve need-based information in Sidama regional state of Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to assess the levels of access of agricultural agents in the Sidama Region to agriculture-specific information from researchers and the media and its effect on their confidence in communicating with farmers. The capacity of trained professionals through educational institutions is crucial to empowering rural communities. As a result, up-to-date knowledge is crucial to leverage the agricultural sector since there could be changes in innovations, science, and technologies. To understand such status quo, In the study circumstances, an exploratory sequential mixed design descriptive study was employed. Cluster random sampling was used, and two samples of districts from the region were identified. In-depth interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires were used to gather the data. Based on reoccurring themes, the transcribed qualitative material was documented, classified, and subjected to a thematic analysis. Besides, data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS. The finding indicates that the agents had poor information-seeking behavior. In addition, the agricultural agents had less access to various sources of information including low access to researchers, media and the Internet. Moreover, the agents were dissatisfied with the nature and regularity of the training provided. With the possible influence of lack of access to information and low interaction with researchers, agents' confidence in communicating farm topics to farmers was also found to be less than expected. A significant positive correlation was also found between agent confidence, research linkage, media access, and information-seeking behavior. Above all, development agents were not driven to speak with researchers, explore media sources for information on agriculture, or converse with colleagues about agricultural matters; this showed that most agents merely had basic college-level knowledge. Agents' confidence in speaking with farmers could be strengthened with improved research linkage, media access, and encouragement to seek information.