Maize Farmers Preferences for ICT-based extension services: Evidence from a Choice Experiment in Nigeria

Efforts aimed at addressing low productivity of maize in Nigeria and most parts of SSA via improved soil fertility management have largely been based on the conventional blanket extension recommendations rather than site-specific recommendations which take into consideration the heterogeneity in farmers growing conditions. To contribute in addressing this challenge, a computer-based tool known as Nutrient Expert (NE) for maize is been developed. In anticipation of the introduction of the tool, we use discrete choice experiment to evaluate maize farmers preferences for site-specific extension recommendations at the development phase of the tool where farmers preferences can improve the tool development. We find that farmers have strong preference for site-specific extension recommendations on nutrient management over the traditional blanket recommendations. However, there is heterogeneity of preferences giving rise to two segments of farmers (innovators and conservatives) defined largely by differences in resource endowment. Our empirical findings have implications for improvement, potential uptake and targeting of the tool to meet the needs of different categories of farmers. Acknowledgement : We deeply appreciate the support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for funding Taking Maize Agronomy to Scale (TAMASA) project and the PhD research activities that produced this paper.