The Access and use of Library and Internet as Information Source by Agricultural Academics and Extension Workers within King Cetshwayo District Municipality of Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Loading...
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)
Abstract
Abstract
Information plays a vital role in agricultural production, it is believed to be the foundation for
improved agriculture. To improve agriculture, access and use of information is required. This
study investigated the access to and use of library and internet by agricultural extension
workers and academics as information source. Shannon and Weaver model theory was
used to underpin the study. Purposive sampling was used to select three local municipalities
within King Cetshwayo District of KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. Quantitative
technique was adopted with self-administered structured questionnaire. Convenience
sampling technique was adopted to select 60 extension workers in three offices of the
department of agriculture located in Eshowe, Melmoth and Ngwelezane and 9 academics
from department of agriculture, University of Zululand, making the total number of the study
participants sixty-nine (69). Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software was
used to analyse data collected. Findings revealed that internet facilities are not adequate in
agricultural department offices located in the rural areas, thereby, led to minimal use of
internet.; Academics regular access to internet led to regular use of internet. Also,
Academics had high access to library but low use of library. Most extension workers do not
have access to library, thereby, they hardly use library for information source. The study
recommends that effort should be made to train, especially the old extension workers on the
use of internet for agricultural information source. Use of library should be encouraged
among academics and extension workers.