Extension Agents Perception of Open Data Usage in Agricultural Communication in Abia State

Abstract

The study assessed Agricultural Extension agent’s perception of open data usage in agricultural communication in Abia State.  Simple random sampling technique was used to select 83 agricultural extension agents for the study. Data for the study was collected with the aid of questionnaire and analyzed with frequency counts, percentages and mean. There were more males (55%) among agricultural extension agents in the state. Mean age of the extension agents was found to be 47 years. Majority (88%) of the extension agent were married with a mean household size of 5 persons. As regards highest level of education, majority (66%) of the extension agents hold a Bachelor’s degree with an average working experience of 13years and average monthly income of N62,000. A moderate percentage (68%) of agricultural extension agents were aware of open data with only 15% and 7% having high and very high level of awareness. A relatively high percentage (54%) understand what open data is all about with only 49% consenting to be involved in the use of open data mainly at a moderate level (66%). Agricultural extension agents majorly perceive open data to facilitate agricultural research (  = 3.2), access to research findings (  = 3.2), gives access to the work of other agricultural extension agents in other states (  = 3.2), exposes them to innovation in agriculture (  = 3.2) and timely access to all necessary information (  = 3.1). The major challenges to the use of open data among agricultural extension agents were lack of fund to purchase internet bundle (  = 2.2), unavailability of internet facilities(  = 2.1), lack of basic ICT facilities (  = 2.1) and lack of adequate knowledge of the use of ICT(  = 2.0) and open data (  = 2.0). Propagation of the use of open data could be done majorly by provision of ICTs in the office (  = 3.6), training of extension agents to understand the concept of open data (  = 3.6) and provision of internet facilities for extension agent (  = 3.5). The study emphasized the need for Government through the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) to provide basic ICT’s in the office and provision of internet facilities to enable extension agents maximize the use of open data.