Influence of Information Literacy on Agricultural Research Innovation Among Extension Workers in Kaduna state and FCT Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of Information Literacy variables on Agriculture research innovation among extension workers in Kaduna State and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. Innovation is the discovery of new ideas after the acquisition of information literacy and its skills. Though low productivity on the part of farmers is as a result of inadequate acquisition of information literacy skills on the part of extension workers in the studied areas. The research questions were formulated such as demographic variables of the respondents and sectional mean scores of information literacy constructs and agricultural research innovation. Two null hypotheses were formulated, i.e. significant contribution of information literacy variables to agricultural research innovation as well as interactive effect of gender and educational qualification on agricultural research innovation among extension workers. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions and calculate data on them. Regression model and two-way ANOVA were the statistical tools used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The target population of the study consist of all extension workers in Kaduna State and FCT Abuja. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select 240 extension workers. Structured questionnaire (with four point rating scale was used) and administered on the respondents. It was discovered that synthesis/identification of information has the highest mean score among information literacy construct. There was significant contribution of synthesis, sources, location, accessibility, evaluation and use of information to agricultural research innovation. The association of gender and educational qualification do0es not have significant effect on agricultural research innovation. The study recommended among others that the concerned authority should give priority to information literacy constructs so that extension workers would be kept abreast of development in agricultural sector, while they should be encouraged to additional qualification.