Extension Workers’ Use of the Internet for Sourcing Information on Climate Change: In Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

Climatic changes have led to adverse effects on agriculture in recent years; therefore extension workers would require unimpeded access to information on climate change if they are to contribute their quota in the current global fight against the menace of climate change to humanity. Over the years the internet has remained an important source of information for agriculture and rural development hence, this study was conducted to examine the use of the internet by extension practitioners for information gathering on climate change and to draw possible implications for the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. The study was conducted among extension workers of the Taraba Agricultural Development Program (TADP). Three Agricultural zones were randomly selected from the four agricultural zones in the state from which 72 respondents were sampled at random for questionnaire administration. Data was analyzed using frequency, percentage and mean score in line with the specific objectives of the study. Results showed that majority of the extension workers (64 percent) do not know how to use the internet with another 64 percent not being able to operate a computer. Findings further revealed that 78 percent of the respondents do not own email accounts and only 24 percent indicated that they use the internet to source information on climate change. Perceived constraints to internet use were identified and appropriate recommendations were offered.