Abstract
The awareness and the extent of usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) components by Village Extension Agents (VEAs), in three selected States Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) of Nigeria, were investigated. Two hundred and four (204) VEAs were sampled as respondents for the study. With aid of simple statistical tools (average, cumulative and percentages), and the analysis of the results indicate that the level of awareness of ICTs among the respondents (VEAs) was quite high especially on radio (99%), GSM phones (96%); and television (93%). On the contrary, the level of awareness was low on fax (68%) and Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs) (69%). It was also noted that the following devices were highly used by the respondents; GSM phones, radio, cassette recorder, television, CD/DVD player and VHS Video player. Unfortunately, the respondents recorded least ICT usage on fax and PDAs. It was recommended that both awareness and usage of available ICT formats should be intensified among VEAs so as to optimize their usage in the effective performance on the job.
Highlights
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) components/devices available include the following: Multimedia systems (VCDs, Digital Video Disk (DVD), Video Home System (VHS), Over-head projectors), Telephones (Land-lines and Mobile phones), Internet (Emailing, Web-browsing, telephoning), Radio, Television, Computers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
This study presents an examination of the emerging trend, the use of modern technologies and devices in information and communication by the extension agents
Most (44%) of them had HND, followed by those (34%) who had OND – indicating that they are literate and by virtue of their education, could appreciate ICT’s relevance and usefulness. Specific to their working experience, 51% of them had 19 years and above, 12% had 15-18 years working experience – indicating they were well experienced in their jobs and this gave them advantage of appreciating ICT’s role; majority of Village Extension Agents (VEAs) (32%) had extension visits of 1-5 per month which shows that they were actively involved in carrying out their function of making contacts with farmers
Summary
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) components/devices available include the following: Multimedia systems (VCDs, DVDs, VHS, Over-head projectors), Telephones (Land-lines and Mobile phones), Internet (Emailing, Web-browsing, telephoning), Radio, Television, Computers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). G. ipads, Galaxy Tabs) and smart phones, Media Players (MP 2, 3 & 4), Geographic Information System (GIS) and Geographic Position System (GPS). It includes such tools as: Internet, elearning technologies, CD ROMs, CDs, DVDs, etc). The problems of illiteracy and ignorance coupled with inadequate flow of information are obvious in many countries. The importance of information on research and development cannot be over-emphasized with its attendant usefulness to promote literacy and knowledge. The usefulness of information and credibility of information source have been found to be positively and significantly related to adoption of improved cassava production technologies [12]
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