Use of Information Communication Technologies among Agricultural Extension Officers in Lesotho

The study assessed the use of ICTs among public and private extension officers in Lesotho. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 86 public and 19 private extension officers. Data collected was analysed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), using frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation, multiple regressions and t-test. Extension officers use ICT tools to obtain information on new technology (79.1%), preservation of farm produce (79.1%); identify time of planting crops (75.6%), call attention of extension officers (75.6%) and cultural practices (75.6%). Serious constraints to the use of ICTs, as perceived by extension officers were: high cost of ICT (83.7%); poor basic infrastructure (79.1%); non-availability of technical personnel (72.1%), failure of service (73.7%) and non-availability of genuine parts. There is a strong relationship between independent variables and use of ICTs. There is also a significance differences in the use of ICTs between public and private extension officers. It is recommended that policy makers improve national e-readiness and make more ICT tools available and accessible to extension officers. Constraints of high cost, lack of ICT infrastructure and training of technical personnel should be dealt with

Use of Information Communication Technologies among Agricultural Extension Officers in Lesotho

The study assessed the use of ICTs among public and private extension officers in Lesotho. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 86 public and 19 private extension officers. Data collected was analysed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), using frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation, multiple regressions and t-test. Extension officers use ICT tools to obtain information on new technology (79.1%), preservation of farm produce (79.1%); identify time of planting crops (75.6%), call attention of extension officers (75.6%) and cultural practices (75.6%). Serious constraints to the use of ICTs, as perceived by extension officers were: high cost of ICT (83.7%); poor basic infrastructure (79.1%); non-availability of technical personnel (72.1%), failure of service (73.7%) and non-availability of genuine parts. There is a strong relationship between independent variables and use of ICTs. There is also a significance differences in the use of ICTs between public and private extension officers. It is recommended that policy makers improve national e-readiness and make more ICT tools available and accessible to extension officers. Constraints of high cost, lack of ICT infrastructure and training of technical personnel should be dealt with

Perceived Effectiveness of Radio Jingle in Combating the Spread of Corona Virus among Rural Dwellers in Ifo and Odeda Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria

The study investigated the perceived effectiveness of radio jingles in combating the spread of Corona Virus among rural dwellers in Ogun State. It ascertained respondents’ awareness, knowledge, benefits derived and perceived effectiveness of the radio jingle in combating the spread of Covid-19. Using a multistage sampling procedure, 150 rural dwellers were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data were analyzed using percentages, means and correlation analysis at p=0.05. Results indicated that respondents were mostly aware of caution messages (̅ = 0.93±0.25), adherence to all non-pharmaceuticals preventive measures (̅ = 0.92±0.26) and warnings on adherence to preventive measures (̅ = 0.91±0.28). Knowledge was mostly high around issues of wearing of face mask (̅ = 0.90±0.30), social distancing (̅ = 0.84±0.37) and health workers’ vulnerability (0.84±0.48). Benefits derived included debunking myths about the virus (̅ = 1.86±0.87) and improved personal hygiene (̅ = 1.65±0.70). The jingle was perceived as highly effective in sensitizing others about the pandemic (̅ = 2.92±1.70) and vaccine information (̅ = 2.79±1.10). There was a significant relationship between awareness level and the perceived effectiveness of radio jingle (r = 0.318). Radio jingle was perceived effective by the rural dwellers, therefore should be intensified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in combating corona virus and other issues of public health importance