Use of Information and Communications Technology and E-readiness among public and private agricultural extension officers in Lesotho

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the use of ICTs and e-readiness among public and private extension officers in Lesotho. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 86 public and19 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. Majority of public and private extension officers were married and predominantly female. Public extension officers have high level of awareness of mobile phones, radio and newspapers while private extension officers are highly aware of the Internet, mobile phones, computers and personal emails. Furthermore, both categories of respondents considered mobile phones to be available, accessible and important in the dissemination of agricultural information. They also indicated that they were highly competent in the use of mobile phones. Extension officers use ICT tools to obtain infonnation on new technology (79.1 %), preservation of farm produce (79 .1 % ); identify time of planting crops (7 5 .6% ), call attention of extension officers (75.6%) and cultural practices (75.6%). Other uses of ICTs are: to get information on improving efficiency of management (89.5%); new technology (89.5%); and new variety of crop/seeds (89.5%). Serious constraints to the use of ICTs, as perceived by public extension officers were: high cost of ICT (83. 7%); poor basic infrastructure (79.1 %); and non-availability of technical personnel (72.1 %). Similarly, private extension officers perceived high cost of ICTs (73 . 7%), failure of service (73.7%) and non-availability of genuine pa1is as serious constraints. The multiple regression analysis revealed a strong relationship between independent variables and access to infom1ation by respondents, e-readiness and use of ICTs. T-test showed significant differences in the use of ICTs between public and private extension officers regarding e-readiness, awareness, availability, accessibility, competence and access to information. Private extension officers were better in e-readiness, awareness of ICTs, availability and accessibility to ICTs. Private extension officers were also more competent in the use of ICTs. It is, therefore, 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. Collaboration between public and private extension officers should be encouraged to promote joint programmes.