ASSESSMENT OF PERCEPTION OF USE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AMONG AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AGENTS IN ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The research study was carried out to assess the perception of the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) among agricultural extensions agents in Zamfara State. In order to achieve the broad objectives of the study, four specific objectives were raised which included determination of the influence of the level of income and educational attainment of extension agents on the use of ICT in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Four research questions andtwo null hypotheses were formulated for the study. The sample of the study comprised of 340 extension agents drawn from a population of 475 extension agents working in Zamfara State Agricultural Development Project (ZADP). Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select the sample from the population. A structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Data were presented in tables and analyzed using percentage, arithmetic mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The two null hypotheses were tested using regression analysis at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the tested null hypotheses indicated significant influence of socio-economic factors such as annual income, education, working experience and household size on the use of ICT in ZamfaraState. Findings of the study revealed that level of use of ICT tools among extension agents was very low due to non-availability of these devices. The researcher recommended that concerned stakeholders such as government and other non-governmental organizations should make efforts to address those socio-economic factors such as annual income, education, household size and working experience which influence the use of ICT among extension agents in Zamfara State, Nigeria.