Challenges to Adoption of ICT Tools by Agricultural Extension Workers in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the challenges to adoption of ICT by extension workers in Anambra State of Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 69 respondents sampled from each cadre of the Anambra State Agricultural development Programme (ASADEP). Findings revealed that majority (92.8%) of the respondents had access to mobile phone. The ICT tool most frequently used was mobile phone as was indicated by majority (88.4%) of the respondents. Results showed that majority of the respondents agreed to some positive attitude statements to adoption of ICT tools including: making use of ICTs will help improve linkage between research and extension (94%.2); however, majority of the respondents agreed to some negative attitude statements including: I am very afraid of the internet because of the rampant fraud done through it (97.1%). Challenges to adoption of ICT tools include: power/electricity instability (M=1.68), lack of training on ICT use (M=1.4) etc. The study concluded by identifying major infrastructural, capacity and attitudinal challenges to adoption of ICT tools by extension workers in the area. It is recommended that ICT-enabling opportunities should be provided to extension personnel in the state through provision of ICT infrastructure, technical training and attitudinal re-orientation.