INTERNET USE FOR EXTENSION COMMUNICATION AMONG AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND FARMERS IN NORTH-WEST NIGERIA

INTERNET USE FOR EXTENSION COMMUNICATION AMONG AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND FARMERS IN NORTH-WEST NIGERIA

Abstract:

This, study was conducted to assess Internet use for extension communication among the agricultural research institutes and farmers in the north-west. Two agricultural research institutes in the North-West zone of Nigeria were selected for the study namely: National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) and Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR). An investigation using a survey research method was adopted for the study. The research sample consisted of 200 researchers and technical staff, as well as 100 farmers aged in the age range 20yrs – 60years. The farmers were chosen from 5 states, i.e, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara states. Purposive sampling method was used in selecting the respondents. Data collected was analysed using simple descriptive statistics. Findings from the study revealed that 90% of respondents attested that the institutes have functional Internet facilities, even though with a poor service which tend to limit its effectiveness for agricultural extension. Also, 39-55% affirmed that the two research institutes does not use their internet for agricultural extension purposes but uses the Internet in the area of researches as confirmed by over 80% of the respondents. However, 52% of the farmers lack Internet skill as well as access to the Internet. More so 65% of farmers oppose the Internet as alternative source of agricultural information. Similarly, 75% of respondents identified that factors militating against the effective use of Internet for agricultural extension were:- lack of: Internet connectivity to farmers, Internet skills by some stakeholders, poor network, and frequent power failure. Further more, majority of respondents suggested the following solutions to enhance the use of Internet for extension communication: Internet connectivity to all stakeholders, increased bandwidth, staff/farmers training on Internet usage, regular subscription as well as power supply. The study concluded that Internet can offer opportunities for strengthening research – extension systems in Nigeria even though its advantages are yet to be realized due to the stated reasons above. The study recommended that; Agricultural stakeholders ie extension agents, research institutes and input agencies should make effort to have access by providing Internet facilities, train their staff in Internet skills, this will encourage two-way communication (downloading, uploading, interaction, question and answer for agricultural extension purposes. Also they should design awareness campaigns to sensitize the agricultural stakeholders on the possible uses of Internet services for extension communication.

INTERNET USE FOR EXTENSION COMMUNICATION AMONG AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND FARMERS IN NORTH-WEST NIGERIA

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