Use of Information Communication Technologies tools among Extension officers in the North-West Province, South Africa
Mabe, L. K.; Oladele, O., I.
Life Science Journal-Acta Zhengzhou University Overseas Edition 9(4): 3275-3279
2012
Accession: 066270861
A simple random sampling technique was used to select 169 extension officers to examine the use of information communication technologies among extension officers in North West Province, South Africa. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency counts, percentages and multiple regression analysis. The results show that majority of the extension officers were male (76%) with the mean age of 44.6 years, married (79%) and 82.5% were Christians. Forty one percent of the extension officer had Diploma as their educational qualification and a mean of 16.7 years as working experience. The result revealed that extension officers indicated that they used Information Communication Technology tools to source information for various agricultural activities. From a total of the 21 uses of ICT which were listed, 15 uses of information communication technologies by extension officers were to gain access to information on the marketing of produce (1.87), obtaining new information on new technologies (1.85), on new prices of farm produce (1.81), sourcing information on new breeds of animals (1.78), on the preservation of farm produce (1.73), on viewing how to practice new techniques in livestock production and on new processing methods of farm produce respectively (1.72), on presenting seminars to farmers (1.68), obtain information on crop protection (1.66), on obtain information about new variety of crops/seeds and improving efficiency of management respectively (1.65), on project the level of production/hectare (1.64), on obtaining information on feed composition (1.62), on identifying the time of planting of crops and obtaining crop protection techniques respectively (1.61). Significant determinants of use of information communication technologies were educational qualification (t = -2.29, p = .023); importance of ICT (t = -2.02, p = .046); constraints to ICT use (t = 8.59, p = .000) and the effect of ICT on information access (t = 4.56, p = .000). The study recommends that when extension officers realize the importance of the use of ICT in extension work, the more they can access and disseminate agricultural information. [Mabe LK and Oladele O I. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):3275-3279]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 484