Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) offer Extension systems opportunities to expand participation and provide information faster to stakeholders. The study included fiftyseven new extension officers drawn from the public, private and state assisted extension organizations in Trinidad. Participants were surveyed to assess their level of confidence in the use of ICTs and the factors that impacted their use of these dissemination tools. The survey, which was conducted during March to May 2015 on the mandatory office days of the agents, consisted of five sections which captured socio demographic variables, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and self-efficacy in the use of ICTs. Percentages and means were used to describe the data set and multiple regression analysis was used to explore relationships with ICT use. Results showed that: use of ICTs was moderate; the professional level of officers, their education level, perceptions of ICTs as useful and easy to use and social influence significantly impacted their use of ICTs in their job functions. There are implications for the provision of quality and timely delivery of information to clients. It is recommended that the entry level requirements for new officers should be raised by employers, in-service training in ICTs and other modern communication methods and tools be provided to those already in the system, and the curricula at the main tertiary training institution be reviewed to include ICTs for extension work.

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Agricultural extension services have undergone a significant transformation in order to effectively address issues of poverty and hunger. It is expected that modern methods of extension will improve image and quality of extension services offered in low-income regions. In Trinidad and Tobago, vibrant and transformative initiatives include institutional pluralism, farmer-led methods, farmer field schools, plant clinics, Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and value chains. However, public sector extension organization is struggling to take up necessary roles and apply new competencies necessary for the success of these modern methods. In this context, this study was undertaken to investigate the perception of extension agents of the value of modern extension methods in improving image and service quality of the extension services in Trinidad and Tobago. Descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis were conducted to analyze data collected during March and May 2015 using a structured, self-reporting questionnaire from 106 extension agents. The findings of the study indicated that extension agents held positive perceptions of the value of modern methods in improving image and service quality. Age, education and experience are important predictors of perception of modern methods. Agents belonging to the medium experience (5.1 to 10 years) group had more formidable perceptions about the value of modern methods in improving image and service quality. Supervisors and managers had a positive perception of the value of modern methods. The study argued for a capacity development initiative using a strategy of coaching and training and targeting new entrants and middle aged extension agents.

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Agricultural extension agents are highly credited for their roles of providing advice to farmers and supporting their learning and decision-making to improve livelihoods. The use of appropriate methods to promote learning in developing countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, has often been highlighted as a development priority. Nevertheless, agricultural extension agents encounter difficulties in applying new competencies. Understanding and utilising appropriate methods based on farmers’ learning needs is critical. This study sought to investigate extension agents’ use of learning-based extension methods. A survey was conducted with 106 extension agents. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse data. The findings show that male agents prefer Plant Clinics and Farmer Field School learning methods. Social influence and networking among organisations had a significant influence on the use of Discovery Based Learning methods. The positive influence of social pressure motivated the agents. The study recommends supporting facilitative conditions through a coordinated programme and to focus on farmers’ learning as a critical consideration for improving the use and impact of learning-based methods   Keywords: Learning-based methods, agricultural extension, extension agent, Trinidad and Tobago