Journal of Agricultural Extension (Oct 2023)
Utilization of Digital Tools in Extension Service Delivery Among Extension Agents in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study examined the use of digital tools in extension services delivery amongst extension agents in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling was used to select 47agricultural extension agents for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire while analysis of the data was done using mean, percentages, and Binary Logit regression analysis. Results showed that all agricultural extension agents were aware of digital tools. The majority (74%) of the agents indicated that they used digital tools in agricultural extension service delivery with WhatsApp (M =3.60) and Video camera (M =3.60) as the most used digital tools among them. As regards the knowledge level of digital tools among extension agents, they were highly knowledgeable in the use of WhatsApp (M =3.68), and mobile phones calls (M=3.66). Age, educational status, household size, working experience and sex were found to affect extension agents’ utilization of digital tools. The major constraint militating against extension agents use of digital tools in extension service delivery were epileptic power supply (M =3.72) and loss of privacy over internet (M=3.66). It therefore stressed the need for training and retraining of extension agents on the use of digital tools by the Agricultural Development Programme.
