Challenges and Training Needs for Integrating Social Media into Agricultural Extension Services in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research examined the challenges, and training needs for the integration of social media into extension in Enugu State, Nigeria. Ninety-seven  agricultural extension workers were proportionately selected from six agricultural zones in Enugu State. Data were generated through a questionnaire  and results were presented with percentages and mean scores. The major challenge to the use of social media was the lack of access to social media by  some target audiences ( x̄ =1.55) and the complexity of the devices (phone and media). Some areas of training needs of the extension workers were how  to place advertisements using Youtube (89.5%), how to transform images on Instagram (89%), how to post a link on Twitter (83.6%) and how to update  WhatsApp application (79.4%). The government and extension organization should provide internet and internet-enabled devices as part of tools for  extension work and the use of social media should be incorporated as part of continuous professional development (CPD) for extension agents by   extension organizations in Enugu State.