A Longitudinal Study of Information Behaviour Change Among Farmers Participating in Digital Extension Services in Kogi State

This study conducted a longitudinal investigation of information behaviour change among smallholder farmers in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, following participation in a government digital agricultural extension service over a thirty-month period. Digital extension services using mobile platforms and radio broadcasts have been introduced across Nigeria to bridge the agricultural information gap, yet their long-term effects on farmer information behaviour remain underexplored. A longitudinal panel design was employed, with data collected from 310 farmers at three time points through structured questionnaires, farm diaries, and focus group discussions. Changes in information source preferences, frequency of information-seeking, and application of information to farming decisions were tracked. Findings demonstrated a gradual but significant shift from reliance on informal networks to digital and broadcast sources among farmers who consistently engaged with the extension service. Adoption of improved practices correlated significantly with increased information engagement. The study makes an original longitudinal contribution to agricultural information behaviour research in Nigeria. Keywords: information behaviour, digital extension services, smallholder farmers, Kogi State, longitudinal study.