Use of internet for innovation management by extension agents in Oyo State

Abstract

Abstracts This study examined extension agents' perception of the use of the Internet for sourcing and disseminating agricultural innovation in (2008) opined that frontline extension workers, who are the direct link between farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural knowledge transfer and information management system should be well positioned to make use of information communication technologies (ICT) to access expert knowledge and other types of information that could be beneficial to farmers. As a result of the numerous information resources on the Internet and increasing investment in the provision of Internet services and resources, it is essential that extension services and farmers should be enabled to have better access to innovations. It will be fascinating if the farmers and extension agents can use the Internet to access and exchange new ideas. This could enhance the extension service delivery thereby improving farmers' knowledge of agricultural technologies and better their attitudes towards innovation adoption. Aker (2010) opines that so far there is no large survey and data-based study on the impact of ICT on extension services in remote areas. This is probably due to lack of reliable data on outcome variables, as well as variations across extension and non-extension communities; and between users and non-users in observable and unobservable. The use of information stored on the Internet to find accurate and reliable information will be a new form of literacy to farmers and probably to extension agents as well. Whitworth, (2009) defines "information literate" as a person who can recognize when information is needed and be able to locate, evaluate and use effectively the needed information.

Use of new media for communication among extension agents and farmers in oyo state, nigeria

“…The mean age is 43.1250 years which implies that most of the extension agents in the study area are still productive but are gradually getting old, outliving their productive age. This agrees with the findings of Aromolaran et al, (2016), that majority of extension agents in Oyo State were above 40 years of age. It also shows that 70.0% of the respondents were male while 30.0% were female.…”

“…The important task of extension is the exchange and sharing of information, knowledge and skills. New media such as different internet platforms which include agricultural websites, WhatsApp and Facebook are fast means of disseminating innovation to farmers and obtaining quick feedbacks, but extension services still adhere to old extension methods of contacts which have been individual and group methods that result in a delay in feedback (Aromolaran et al, 2016). The use of internet-based mobile apps enhances researchers and extension workers job commitments also saving time, but fluctuations of internet connectivity and epileptic power supply were factors influencing the use of internet-based mobile apps (Oose, Fapojuwo and Agbabiaka, 2021).…”

National extension policy and state-level implementation: The case of Cross River State, Nigeria

“…However, in Nigeria, there are number of challenges that could hinder the successful implementation of agricultural policies at the state level, most of which are related to the capacity, competency, and performance of state ADP personnel, given their major role in the implementation of agricultural extension policies at the state and farmer levels (Issa 2013;Umeh et al 2015). Additionally, several studies (Ekerete and Ekanem 2015;Apantaku et al 2016;Cynthia and Nwabugwu 2016;Aromolaran et al 2016) have shown that many public extension agents are less information and communication technology (ICT) compliant, and the ICT utilization rate is low. Many agents are less motivated to seek knowledge on or familiarize themselves with trending issues within their core areas of expertise.…”

Nexus of livelihood diversification on food security status among rural households in Agbani agricultural zone of Enugu state, Nigeria

“…The study concluded that a considerable number of the households were in the very low food security category. Also, Aromolaran et al, (2017), in a survey among rural communities in Nigeria observed that the Majority 86.7% of the farming households in the survey were food insecure, as against few (13.3%) of the respondents that were categorized as a food secured. These studies corroborate the current findings.…”