Extension agents access and utilization of information and communication technology ( ICT ) in extension service delivery in South East Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess field extension agents’ access and utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) in extension service delivery in South East Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure involving purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed in selecting 120 Extension Agents used for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of a wellstructured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics according to the specific objectives of the study. The result of the socio-economic characteristics of the extension agents showed that 61.67% of the extension agents studied were males whose age bracket fall between 40-49 years and majority (78.33%) were married. Majority (85%) had postsecondary education with a household size of 1-3 persons and majority (51.67%) earned monthly income of N21, 000-N40, 000. Further analysis revealed that although many ICT facilities exist, both contemporary and conventional ICTs, radio, television and phones sourced personally from open market were the most readily available ICT facilities owned, accessed, and utilized by most of the extension agents. Consequently, the level of access and utilization of these facilities were found to be generally low with a mean score responses of x = 1.8 and x = 2.4 respectively. The result of extension agents’ opinion on the ICTs application in facilitating agricultural activities indicated; information on new varieties of seeds and seedling (x=2.6), acquire information from research institutions and farmers (x=2.7), best planting techniques (x=2.6) and use of fertilizer (x = 2.8) among others. Necessary recommendations such as strengthening the use of contemporary ICTs (phones, internet connected computer etc.), provision of adequate training on the use of ICTs for extension agents and general improvement in rural infrastructure were made among others.

world has been concerned with communicating research findings and improved agricultural practices to farmers.
The efficiency with which these information and practices are conveyed to farmers to a large extent would determine the level of agricultural productivity.Extension organisations have been concerned with what should be the appropriate means and approaches in getting the right agricultural information to the end-users (farmers).In recent times however, there has been revolution with regards to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in agriculture and particularly in extension service delivery of Nigeria.This revolution is an intervention with the potential to ensure that knowledge and information on important agricultural technologies, methods and practices are put into right use by farmers.The use of ICT provides an important platform for actualizing this.ICTs consist of various collections of resources and technical tools that are used for connecting, spreading, storing and managing information (Pigato, 2004).
In other words, ICT represents the collection of hardware and software that is used for producing, preparing, transferring and storing data via devices such as computers, radios, televisions, etc., and it includes an extensive scope of traditional and modern media (Norad, 2002).In general, ICTs can be classified into three groups:

New ICTs
This group consists of computers, satellites, one-on-one connections, wireless phones (mobile), the internet, email, the web, internet services, video conferences, CDROMs, personal computers (PC), distance control systems, informational-geographical systems, global positioning systems (GPS), electronic cameras, databases, etc.The hidden concept behind these technologies is that they are not automatically considered to be new, but their common and inexpensive availability has resulted in them being regarded as new.

Old ICTs
This group consists of radios, televisions, telephones, telegraphs, audio and video cassettes, films and slides.This group of technologies has been used for several decades.

Very old ICTs
This group of technologies has been used for several centuries and includes newspapers, books, photo albums, posters, theater, human interactions, markets and plays (Obayelu and Oyunlade, 2006).
Similarly, CTA (2003) 'information and communication technologies' are technologies which facilitate communication and the processing and transmission of information electronically.The use of ICT in agricultural extension and rural development is significant especially now that its use has witnessed an upsurge in almost all areas of rural life in several African countries; however, the persisting problems of connectivity, literacy, content and costs coupled with the issue of adequate access have continues to hinder expansive utilization of these facilities for agricultural information.In this respect, Omotayo (2005) observed that agricultural extension depends largely on information exchange between farmers and broad range of other actors who are the front line extension workers that are the direct link between farmers and other actors in the agricultural knowledge and information system (AKIS).In the past decade, a number of Sub-Saharan African countries have experienced slow agricultural development.Since then, the sector has not grown as fast as the population.
Decline in agricultural development is attributed to a number of constraints that include inappropriate national agricultural development policies, lack of adequate information provision, low adoption of agricultural technologies and ineffective institutional frameworks (Asiabaka, 2009).However, inadequate provision of relevant, reliable and comprehensive information support to stakeholders in agricultural production has been identified as a major constraint (Kiplangot, 2003).
Information and communication technology have become an increasingly powerful tool for improving the delivery of basic services and enhancing local development opportunities.Today, a new paradigm of agricultural development is fast emerging in both developing and developed countries.The overall development of rural areas is expanding in new directions; old ways of delivering important information services to citizens are being challenged; and traditional societies are being transformed into knowledge societies all over the world (Meora et al., 2004).In Nigeria, the government having recognised the importance of ICT in extension service delivery.In this direction, she has established policies and projects among which are; liberalisation and privatisation policies to encourage private sector participation and attraction of foreign investment which consequently reduces the price of computers and other ICT equipments, making them more accessible.There was also the launching of the global system of mobile (GSM) communication, making phone lines more accessible nationwide and the establishment of internet cyber cafes in all the major urban areas in the country, though the rates are still high and service unsteady (SGF, 2002).Very important also was the establishment of information and communication support (ICS -Nigeria) in 2002, for agricultural growth (Oladimeji et al., 2004).This project though still on pilot phase in 8 states of the country (and in Abia State in the South-East) is aimed at establishing resource centres in rural areas, which makes information available to farmers and farm assistance organisations (ADPs, NGOs, Researchers, NAERLS etc.) at different centres and farm levels, as well as modernising their information base through the use of ICTs, such as telephone, radio, television, compact disk, read only memory (CD-ROM) internets etc. (Arokoyo, 2007).Apart from facilitating the acquisition and absorption of information/knowledge networking, codification, tele-working and science system, ICT could be used to access global knowledge and communication with other people.Desta and Petta (2003) noted that access to more sophisticated and integrated technologies of biotechnology, natural resource management and material science has been made easier by ICT.However, what may be of paramount importance may not just be the existence of these facilities but how accessible they are to the change agents particularly the field extension agents who make use of them in reaching out to both zonal level extension personnel and the farmers.Equally relevant, is knowledge of the level of disposition of these extension agents to the utilization of information and communication technologies in carrying out their functions.Arokoyo (2007) asserted that the extent of application of ICT tools in extension service depends mostly on the targeted audiences, level of ICTs infrastructural development and its accessibility and affordability.The serious limitation of access to reliable telephone lines makes even ordinary intra-and interorganisational networking for information exchange a frustrating experience (Alexander, 2004).Despite the importance of ICTs in extension service delivery, there seems to exist a gap in knowledge between what is existing and what needs to be done to ensure the optimal access and utilization of these ICT infrastructures so that it will contribute significantly to development of extension service delivery and agricultural development in the south-east Nigeria in particular and the country in general.
In the light of this, the study was to determine access and utilization of information communication technology (ICT) among extension agents in extension service delivery in South East, Nigeria.To accomplish this, the following specific objectives were addressed: (i) describe the socio-economic and personal characteristics of the extension agents in Southeast Nigeria; (ii) identify the existing and sources of ICT facilities for extension agents in the study area; and (iii) assess the access and utilization level of ICT facilities by the extension agents in the study area;

METHODOLOGY
The study area is South-East Nigeria; which comprises of five states namely; Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states (Figure 1).The area has an approximated land area of 5824.7 sq.km and lies between longitude 6°50 1 and 8°15 / E and latitudes of 4°30 / and 7°15 / N (Mamman, 2000).The South-East states have about a total of 16,381,729 people (NPC) who are mainly of Igbo tribe.The vegetation lies within the rain forest and dry savannah region of Nigeria.It has a tropical humid climate with two distinct seasons of the year namely, the rainy and dry seasons.The rainy season last from April to October and is marked by regular drop in ambient temperature.The dry season lasts from November to March.It is characterized by a hot dry spell.Within the two seasons, the temperature range varies from about 18 to 34°C.Dominant arable crops of the area include yam, rice, cassava, maize, cocoyam, groundnut, pepper and various types of vegetables.Oil palm, banana, plantain and coconut are plantation crops dominant in the area.Small ruminant and backyard poultry production dominate the livestock industry and fisheries.

Sampling technique
A multistage sampling procedure involving purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed in selecting the respondents used for the study.In the first stage, three (3) states out of the five (5) states making the South-east Nigeria states were randomly selected.These states include Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu.Secondly, forty (40) extension agents each serving in ADP were randomly selected from each of the three (3) selected states to give a total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents.The study was carried out using primary data source.Data were obtained primarily using questionnaires which were directed to the extension agents.The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Objectives (i) and (ii) were achieved using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables, percentages and objective (iii) actualized using 4-point Likert scale.

Model for Likert scale rating
The Likert scale mean score derived from a 4-point rating was used to elicit the extension agents utilization capabilities in using the ICT components in terms of skill and knowledge in extension delivery respectively.Likert is a tool used in making explicit decision on the feelings attached with a particular observed phenomenon from possible factors or variables.In this case of using mean score derive from 4-point Likert rating to analyse the utilization capability of the respondents, some ICT facilities were itemized and the respondents will be required to rank them based on their agreement with their extent of utilization.In using 4-point Likert scale or rating, the response ranged between very great extent (VGE) with assigned value of 4 and very low extent (VLE) assigned the value of 1 with decision rule of 2.5.The rating ranged from 4 to 1 as follows: Very great extent (VGE) -4 Great extent (GE) -3 Low extent (LE) -2 Very low extent (VLE) -1 Likert fomular: Xs =

Nr fn 
Where Xs = Mean score, ∑ = summation, F = frequency of each (4, 3, 2, 1) option, n = Likert numerical values (responses of the respondents), Nr = number of respondents to each response category (total number of respondents).

Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents
The result of the socio-economic characteristics of the Ezeh 269 extension agents indicates that majority (61.67%) were males while 38.33% were females (Table 1).The age range of majority (43.33%) was between 40 to 49 years, while 1.67% fell within age bracket of 60 to 69 years.However, the mean age of the extension agents was 40 years.Also, majority (78.33%) of the extension agents were married whereas the least about 5% were divorced.Furthermore, analysis revealed that majority (85%) attended post secondary education while only 5% completed primary education.The mean level of education of the extension agents was 13 years.The monthly income of most (50%) of the extension agents ranged between N21,000 to 40,000 while few (1.67%) earned between N81,000 to 100,000.Result showed that greater proportion (68.33%) of the extension agents belonged to social organizations while few (31.67%) could not belong to any organization.Most of the respondents (70.12%) belong to multi-purpose cooperative organizations.The least (3.33%) were engaged in agro-input marketing.The mean distance covered by the extension agents to ICTs source was 3.32 km.

Existence and awareness ICTs among extension agents
The result of data analysis on the existing ICT facilities in the study area revealed that most (98%) of the 'extension agents' testified to the existence and awareness of radio, followed by phone with 86% and television with 62% response.Others were 33 and 31% who were aware of media van and prints respectively (Table 2).23% of the respondents were aware of projector, while few (6 and 5%) had noticed the existence of internet connected computer and cassette recorder/ player respectively.This follows the findings of Isiaka et al. (2009) who reported that extension workers were moderately aware of the existing ICTs potential in extension service delivery.Although, this finding slightly differs from Adebayo and Adesope (2007) who reported high (88.5%)level of awareness among female extensionists.This suggests that the extension agents in South East Nigeria have high awareness of conventional ICTs than contemporary ones; hence, more need to be done in educating them on the existence of contemporary ICTs for improving extension service delivery.The results on the sources of ICT facilities among the respondents in the study area indicated that most (58%) of them sourced their ICTs personally from open market, specifically, the responses were radio (95.56%), internet connected computers (25%), television (84.09%), mobile phone (93.33%); whereas 50 and 64% sourced cassette recorder/players and prints/libraries respectively, from the open market as well (Table 3).This is followed by 11% of the respondents whose source is cooperative society.The least was the government by 2% response.There is an indication that majority of the extension agents sourced their ICTs personally from the open market and this may have be attributed to the liberation of telecommunication sector in Nigeria, which have open up the sector to private telecom service providers.This has given rise to the use of mobile phone and modem for browsing from even the comfort of their homes.The result of analysis on percentage distribution of ownership/access of ICT facilities shows that most of the extension agents (98.33%) and (85.83%) owned radio and television, respectively.This was followed by 81.67% who own mobile phones and 42.50% who have libraries.
Twenty-four percent (24%) owned cassette recorder/player, the least were 15% who own internet connected computer.The result in Table 4 on place of access to ICT facilities by extension agents shows that most (85.0%)accessed ICT facilities from cybercafé/telecentres, followed by 57.5% who accessed from home.Some (35.0%) accessed from their workplace while few (18.3%) accessed ICT facilities in the public libraries (Table 5).Adebayo and Adesope (2007) observed that 59.3% of the female extensionists have no 'personal computers' in their offices; while those who indicated that they have 'personal computers' in their offices stated that they were not connected to the internet.This is a serious situation that shows that there is still a lot to be done if the Nigerian agricultural sector must meet up the global challenges of ICT.Most of the extension agents (30%) covered a distance of 4 km in search of ICT facilities, a reasonable number (37%) covered equal or less than 2 km while some (5.83%) still move a distance of 5 km and and above to access ICTs (Table 6).As indicated by Salau and Saingbe (2008), extension workers ss to available ICTs is either at home, place of work or business centres.As indicated by Tanko et al. (2013), the use of ICT facilities has continued to be hampered by the persistent problem of access, connectivity literacy and cost.

Access to ICTs
The results of the analysis on the access to ICT facilities by extension agents indicates that majority (x = 2.5) had access to television, followed by a reasonable number (x = 2.7 and 2.6) who had access to radio and phones, respectively.Few (1.4,1.2 and 1.0) had access to libraries, and cassette recorder/players, while the least response x = 1.0 was on access to internet connected computer and GIS, respectively (Table 7).This is in agreement with the findings of Salau and Saingbe (2008) who reported that extension workers in Nasarawa state had high access to radio, television and mobile phone, while fewer (49%) had access to computers, which they regarded as key to all ICT facilities.The result in Table 6 showed that the extension agents studied, had operational literacy on utilization of ICT facilities at varying levels.Majority (48 and 35%), (33 and 41%), (34 and 31%) and (24 and 32%) of the extension agents can operate radio, phones, cassette recorder/ player and television at excellent and very good levels, respectively (Table 8).Few can operate most of the modern/cotemporary ICTs such as internet connected computer, prints/libraries, projector and GIS.This implies that there is still a huge gap in the operational knowledge of the extension agents; hence, adequate training on efficient operation of contemporary ICTs should be organised for the agents.

Utilization of ICTs to extension services
The result of the extent of ICTs application in farm information by the 'extension agents' showed that virtually all information concerning farming were disseminated through ICTs, but at low level.However, the responses are: physical farm measurement (2.6), how to estimate farm output (2.7), best planting techniques (2.6), use of fertilizer (2.8) and method of keeping livestock (2.6) were areas of high level of application in farm information by the respondents (Table 9).While quantities of chemical to use (1.0), quantities of seeds/cuttings/stems to use (2.4) among others recorded low application.This justifies the findings of Isiaka et al. (2009) who opined that most of the extension workers were not really conscious of the fact that ICT devices such as computer, internet and GSM can be used to efficiently accomplish numerous functions in extensions service delivery, and as indicated by Wijekon and Newton (2000), without appropriate grounding in communication technology potentials, efficient utilisation among the extension workers may not be realised.The result of the mean score analysis with cut-off of 2.5 in Table 10 shows that the respondents utilized radio (x = 3.0), television (x = 2.8) and phones (x = 3.0) to a great extent in their farming activities.Others were internet (x = 2.2), cassette recorder/players (x = 2.9), prints/libraries (x = 2.8), projector (x = 1.8) and GIS (x = 1.0) (Table 10).This agrees with the findings of Salau and Saingbe (2008) who reported that 56.22% of the sampled extension workers used ICT items such as telephones, internet, radio, television, video films/camera and power point for agricultural extension activities.They concluded that more education and awareness is required to improve the level of utilization of ICTs by extension workers.

Conclusion
Based on the findings of this research work, it can be concluded that radio and television, followed by phone were the most accessed and utilized ICTs among the extension agents.However, the extent of access and utilization of contemporary ICTs such as internet is still mobile phones etc. for information dissemination to the farmers.Extension organisations should open websites to enable them have link with others.
(2) ICT training programmes should be organised/established for training extension agents on opportunities that abound in the use of ICT facilities for extension services delivery.This can be achieved by (3) Improvement in rural infrastructure particularly electricity supply is very essential in the study area.4)Extension agents should be encouraged to access and utilize ICTs by supporting them with financial and material resources.This can be actualised by providing them with credit grant or the equipments by the government.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Map of south east Nigeria.

Table 1 .
Percentage distribution of the respondents (extension agents) by socio-economic characteristics.

Table 2 .
Percentage distribution of the respondents according to awareness of existing ICT facilities.

Table 3 .
Percentage distribution of the respondents according to sources of ICT facilities in the study area.

Table 4 .
Percentage distribution of EAs according to ownership/access of ICT facilities in the study area.

Table 5 .
Percentage distribution of extension agents according to place of ICT access.

Table 6 .
Percentage distribution of extension agents according to distance covered to search for and purchase ICTs facilities.

Table 7 .
Mean score responses of extension agents on the extent of access to ICT facilities.

Table 8 .
Percentage distribution of extension agents on ICTs operation literacy.
Source: Field survey (2012).Figures in parenthesis are in percentages.