Incorporating ICT in Extension Education: A Recipe for Enhanced Dissemination of Improved Agricultural Practices in Rural Area

Abstract

The study investigated incorporation of ICT in extension education for enhanced dissemination of improved agricultural practices in rural area of Ebonyi. The study concentrated on the challenges, benefits of incorporating ICT in extension and identified ICT compliance skills for effective extension services. The study was guided by three (3) purposes, three research questions and three null hypotheses. A descriptive survey research design was used in carrying out the study. The population of the study was 157 respondents, Comprising 130 extension officers, 27 lectures in the three tertiary institutions studied. The instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire developed by the researcher and validated by three experts (lecturers). The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha technique which yielded reliability co-efficient of 0.89. The data collected was analyzed using mean with standard deviation for answering the research questions. The hypotheses were tested with ANOVA statistic at 0.05 level of significance. Based on the analysis, among the findings from the study includes the 11 item statements investigated that were all challenges of incorporating ICT in extension education for enhanced dissemination of agricultural innovation to rural farmers in Ebonyi state. It was recommended that researchers in various research institutes should undergo retraining program for purposes of updating their knowledge in ICT competency.