EMERGING ELECTRONIC AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION TECHNOLOGY: PROSPECTS, CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The success of the Nigerian agricultural sector is partly dependent on the accessibility of vital agricultural information by farmers. However, the shortage of agricultural extension personnel has been a major challenge to disseminating agricultural information to farmers. Due to recent developments in ICT, more farmers can be easily reached and within a short time, hence the emergence of e-agricultural extension technology. This emerging technological innovation in agricultural extension thrives in developed parts of the world; however, it faces numerous challenges in Nigeria. Electronic agricultural extension technology has lots of prospects in advancing the course of agriculture in Nigeria, but it seems that its strategies are not fully known by farmers and extension agents. Unfortunately, there seems to be dearth of empirical studies or literature in Nigeria revealing the challenges, prospects and strategies for this innovative trend of agricultural extension. Thus, this study investigated the prospects, challenges and strategies for promoting e-agricultural extension technology in the 21st century in Abia State. Three specific objectives guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The sample size for the study was 364 persons, which was determined using the Taro Yamane formula (1967). A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select participants for the study. A validated and pilot-tested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was .86 using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient Test. Research ethics were ensured during data collection and analysis. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The study identified 14 prospects, 13challenges and 16strategies to promoting e-agricultural extension technology. Therefore, it was recommended, among others, that government should enact policies, ensure regular supply electricity, and train farmers, extension agents and researchers on ICT skills to facilitate e-agricultural extension technology.