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Effect of Extension Services on Farmers’ Adoption of Geospatial Agricultural Information

Abstract

The study examines the effect of extension services on farmers’ adoption of geospatial agricultural information, focusing on how agricultural extension support influences farmers’ use of location-based information for farm planning, monitoring, and decision-making. Geospatial agricultural information provides useful data on farm locations, land characteristics, weather conditions, soil properties, crop conditions, and other spatial features that can support efficient farm management. However, farmers’ adoption of such information may depend on their access to extension services, technical guidance, and relevant agricultural technologies. The study will assess the extent of farmers’ access to extension services and determine their level of adoption of geospatial agricultural information. It will examine extension activities such as farm visits, training programmes, practical demonstrations, group meetings, and advisory services. The study will also assess farmers’ use of geospatial information for activities such as farm mapping, land-use planning, identification of farm boundaries, crop monitoring, soil assessment, weather-related decisions, and management of agricultural resources. A descriptive survey research design will be adopted for the study. The population will comprise farmers in the selected study area, from whom respondents will be selected using an appropriate sampling procedure. Data will be collected through a structured questionnaire designed to obtain information on farmers’ access to extension services and their adoption of geospatial agricultural information. The data collected will be analysed using frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations, while appropriate inferential statistical techniques will be used to determine the effect of extension services on farmers’ adoption of geospatial agricultural information. The study is expected to find that farmers who have regular access to extension services demonstrate greater awareness and adoption of geospatial agricultural information. Extension services may improve farmers’ understanding of geospatial tools and their applications in farm management, while practical demonstrations and technical guidance may increase farmers’ confidence in using location-based information. However, inadequate extension contact, limited access to digital technologies, high costs of some geospatial tools, poor digital literacy, and insufficient technical training may constrain adoption. The findings are expected to provide useful information to agricultural extension personnel, policymakers, agricultural institutions, technology providers, and farmers’ organizations on the role of extension services in promoting the use of geospatial agricultural information. Strengthening extension delivery through practical digital training, demonstrations, regular farm visits, and simplified technical guidance may improve farmers’ ability to apply geospatial information in agricultural decision-making. The study will conclude that effective extension services can contribute to increased adoption of geospatial agricultural information by improving farmers’ knowledge, skills, and access to technical support. It will recommend increased extension contact, practical training on accessible geospatial technologies, improved digital agricultural information services, and stronger collaboration between extension personnel, technology providers, and farmers to promote effective use of geospatial information in agriculture.

Keywords: Extension services, farmers’ adoption, geospatial agricultural information, agricultural extension, geospatial technology, farm mapping, geographic information systems, Global Positioning System, satellite imagery, digital agriculture, farm management, land-use planning, crop monitoring, agricultural information, precision agriculture.