Evaluation of ICT Usage in Agricultural Extension Services in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria

Agricultural extension services play a critical role in disseminating farming innovations to rural communities, and the integration of ICT tools in this service delivery mechanism holds significant potential for improving reach and effectiveness in North West Nigeria. This study evaluates the extent and effectiveness of ICT usage in agricultural extension services in Kebbi State. A descriptive survey was conducted among 210 agricultural extension workers and 150 farmers across four local government areas, selected through purposive and stratified sampling respectively. Questionnaire items covered ICT tools used (mobile phones, radio, farmer management software, satellite imagery), frequency of application, farmer satisfaction with ICT-enhanced extension contacts, and perceived impact on farming decisions. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were computed using SPSS. Available agricultural ICT literature from North West Nigeria identifies mobile SMS advisory services and agricultural radio programmes as the most widely used and trusted ICT channels among smallholder farmers, with smartphone-based services limited by low device ownership and digital literacy. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Access to Information Framework guide the analysis. Findings indicate that extension workers who used two or more ICT channels reported significantly higher farmer adoption of recommended practices. Recommendations include equipping extension workers with tablets and data subscriptions, developing farmer advisory content in Hausa, and establishing SMS-based crop disease alert systems in Kebbi State. Keywords: ICT in agriculture, extension services, Kebbi State, North West Nigeria, rural development.