NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Dept. of Agricultural Economics and Extension
2020_2 Examination 1234
Course Title: Diffusion and Adoption of Innovations
Course Code: AEM503
Credit Unit: 3 Units
Total Score: 70
Time Allowed: 3 Hrs
INSTRUCTION: Answer compulsory question 1 (30 marks) and any other 4 questions (10
marks each).
QUESTION ONE
a. What is Diffusion (3 mks)
b. Explain the term ‘communication channel’ and the different channels through which
innovation is communicated to the farmer (8 mks)
c. The decision to adopt an innovation, involves a process. Enumerate and Explain the process in a
step-by-step manner (7 mks)
d. Discuss any two (2) of the below mentioned consequences of innovation in the context of:
i. Desired and undesired consequences (3 mks)
ii. Direct and indirect consequences (3 mks)
iii. Anticipated and unanticipated consequences (3 mks)
e. Outline any five (5) Functions of Change Agents. (3 mks)
QUESTION TWO
a. The traditional model of disseminating agricultural information has followed the ‘top-down’
process. Explain this top-down process. (4 mks)
b. Vividly explain who is an Opinion leader? (6 mks)
QUESTION THREE
a. Define Adoption (2 ½ mks)
b. Opinion leaders are recognized by some characteristics they possess. State any three (3) of
the characteristics. (4 ½ mks)
c. Describe using any three (3) characteristics who the ‘Laggards’ are in the innovation decision
process. (3 mks)
QUESTION FOUR
a. What is the innovation-decision process (2 ½ mks)
b. List and explain five (5) characteristics of Innovation. (7 ½ mks)QUESTION FIVE
a. What is ‘Rate of adoption’(4 mks)
b. Mention and briefly discuss any four (4) factors that can effectively enhance agriculture extension
in rural areas in Nigeria (6marks)
QUESTION SIX
a. What is a social system? (4 mks)
b. Write short notes on any two (2) of the following:
i. The Innovators (2 mks)
ii. The Early Adopters (2 mks)
iii. Late Adopters (2 mks)
QUESTION SEVEN
a. Discuss extensively, the concerns of ‘Innovation’ (5 mks)
b. Different types of models are adopted as models of innovation. Itemise any five (5) of these
innovation models (5 mks)
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