Entertainment-Education Strategy Utilization for Agricultural Information Dissemination: Congruency Among Researchers,Extension Agents,and Farmers in Southwestern Nigeria

Several congruency studies exist on agricultural-related issues, but studies on congruency for entertainment-education (EE) utilization for agricultural information dissemination is limited. Congruency among researchers, extension agents, and farmers on the use of EE for agricultural information dissemination was examined. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 161 respondents across respondent categories. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on respondents' perception and estimate of perception of other stakeholders to establish accuracy. Data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation at p = 0.05. Results indicate congruence between researchers' perception and accuracy in establishing extension agents and farmers' opinion about media environment. A similar result was obtained for congruence between farmers' perception and other stakeholders' position on media environment. Congruence between extension agents, researchers, and farmers was accurate for infrastructural factors. Given the accurate predictions of each other's disposition to key variables, EE should be further exploited for agricultural information dissemination.     

Assessment of Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Information on Selected Food Crops in Iddo District of Oyo State,Nigeria

This study focused on the use of combined media to minimize the time lag for both awareness and adoption of best practices for food crop production in Oyo State, Nigeria. One hundred and eighteen registered farmers in the Iddo District were sampled and interviewed. Results showed that the majority of the farmers were male (83.9%) and married (67.8%), and about one third (27.1%) completed elementary education. Fellow farmers (76.3%), extension agents (63.3%), friends (49.2%), and radio (48.3%) readily served as information sources for farmers. The quantum of agricultural information to which farmers had access was significantly related to varieties of information sources (r = .26, p = .05) used by farmers. The empowerment of elite farmers and capacity strengthening for extension agents are advocated for improved agricultural information dissemination.     

Determinants of Rice Farmers’ Utilization of Agricultural Information in Central Thailand

This study investigated factors affecting the utilization of agricultural information among rice farmers in central Thailand. About 240 rice farmers in the Bang Pla Ma District of Suphanburi Province were surveyed and interviewed to describe how they utilize agricultural information. Respondents were divided into small, medium, and large rice farmers according to farm size. Small farmers had more access to information on farming practices and postharvesting activities, while large and medium farmers utilized more information on marketing, covering future market and farmgate prices. The multinomial logit model showed that length of farming experience, household labor size, distance to the Rice Research Center, and number of information sources, as well as access to the Internet, television, extension program, and relatives, significantly influence farmers’ utilization of agricultural information.     

Information Delivery and its Effect on Production of Cashews in Oyo State,Nigeria

This study assessed information delivery and effect on the productive capacity of contact and non-contact cashew farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. The results showed that the output of contact farmers was significantly different from that of non-contact farmers (p = .006), despite significant differences in farm size (p < .05). Interpersonal contacts through extension agents and friends were the most frequently used sources of information. In addition, information on cashew production and marketing was the most important to farmers. The study shows that farmer's productivity is enhanced through interaction with extension agents.     

Awareness and Use of Information Communication Technologies by Farmers in Oyo State,Nigeria

Due to inadequate personnel, information communication technologies (ICTs) have become an attractive option for delivery of extension information. This study examined awareness and use of ICTs by farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of 192 farmers were interviewed. Results indicate that most farmers had no formal education and small farm holdings. Awareness of older ICTs like radio and television was more prevalent among farmers as compared with newer ICTs such as Internet and cable television. However, use of modern ICTs like mobile phones and cable television was greater than that for older technologies such as fax machines. Farmers were constrained in ICT use by prohibitive cost and service failure. The Nigerian government should encourage a liberal policy for affordable prices for modern ICT products, especially mobile telephones.     

Information Communication Technology Needs of Small-Scale Farmers in Anambra State,Nigeria

This study sought to identify the information communication technology (ICT) needs of small-scale farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data from a sample of 108 farmers. Results revealed that the majority used radio and television and owned mobile phones and video machines. Constraints to use included capacity, infrastructural/technical and logistical problems. The study recommends that the Nigerian government reorient its policies in order to harness the potential of ICTs to contribute to agricultural development and highlights the need to raise awareness of the agricultural uses of ICTs among the government, other national stakeholders, and rural communities.     

Promoting the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Agricultural Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for Policy

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have the potential to reach many farmers with timely and accessible content. This article highlights the importance of ICTs in promoting agricultural transformation. It recommends the establishment of agricultural communication networks, which involve active participation of all stakeholders in agriculture and highlights the need for a participatory approach, the monitoring and evaluation of end users, and the integration of farmer knowledge and information needs into the content management system. Public institutions in agriculture should also be involved in developing a curriculum in ICTs for agricultural development and support ICT platforms to facilitate farmers’ access to quality agricultural information.     

The Case for a Two-Step Approach to Agricultural Campaign Design

Development campaigns designed to scale up effective agricultural solutions often rely on media. Information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) proponents argue that increased media penetration is necessary for such campaigns to succeed. Interviews of 63 extension agents and 200 farmers in Burkina Faso about their disparities in media ownership, access, skills, and preferences suggest that agricultural development campaigns should account for the different media environments and preferences of target populations within countries. This research presents such an alternative approach, a two-step campaign design intended to address digital divides within countries and target population preferences.     

Agricultural Information Needs of Root and Tuber Farmers in the Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State,Nigeria

This study assessed the agricultural information needs of root- and tuber-crop farmers in the Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data were presented using percentages and rankings. The most utilized sources of information on agricultural practices were associations (75.8%), other farmers (70.8%), and extension agents (60.8%). Agricultural information reported as “highly needed” by respondents included marketing procedures, processing and improved planting techniques, and soil management methods. Chi-square test results showed a significant relationship between selected personal characteristics of respondents (gender χ² = 24.9, p < .05; educational status χ² = 10.8, p < .05; marital status χ² = 181.1, p < .05 and household size χ² = 48.6; p < .05) and information needs.     

Effect of Targeted Agricultural Information Delivery Approach on Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Information in Nigeria

Access to information by rural farmers in Nigeria is inefficient due to a variety of factors which include insufficient extension staff and dearth of information in the right format. In order to ensure delivery of timely and relevant information to rural farmers, Information Resource Centers (IRCs) were established in Adopted Villages across the country by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), an agricultural extension research institute based in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Farmers’ access to information was enhanced through this approach and it was cost effective as both NAERLS and the farmers contributed to running the IRCs.     

Utilization of Satellite Imaging and Information Communication Technology in Agricultural Information Dissemination in Nigeria

This study appraised the level of usage of satellite imaging and selected Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools by agricultural extension workers (EWs) in the North Central Zone of Nigeria. Specifically, information on usage of satellite imaging, personal skill ratings, and constraints faced by respondents in the usage of ICT equipment were gathered. Findings revealed that a majority of the respondents (97%) perceived themselves as incompetent in reading and interpreting satellite imaging for agricultural information dissemination. The study posited that government at various levels should assist in training EWs on digital compatibility.     

试论信息技术对农业传播的影响与变革

分析了信息技术对于农业传播的重要意义,介绍了信息技术应用于现代农业传播的方法和途径,如视频专家系统、动植物疾病诊断与防治系统、农业网络书屋、农业网站和电子商务平台、基于3G的基层农技推广信息化平台等,展现出了未来农业发展的可喜局面,并提出了农业信息化建设中可能遇到的问题,以期更多的农业推广人员和农民朋友参与到这些项目的建设与使用中来。     

E-Readiness Among Male and Female Extension Officers in North-West Province,South Africa

E-readiness, as the inclination to benefit from information technology, among other digital facilitations, was examined among 169 extension officers selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected by a structured, face-validated questionnaire. E-readiness of extension officers was operationalized as a composite score of awareness, availability, accessibility, competencies, and importance of information and communication technology (ICT) tools. Data obtained were analyzed using means and standard deviation. Multiple linear regression was used to isolate the determinants of e-readiness for both male and female extension officers. Significant determinants of e-readiness include living in the job area (t = 2.35, p <.05), means of mobility (2.72), educational level (1.68), number of farmers covered (1.93), working experience (1.80), and age (?2.53).     

Connecting Small Farmers in the Caribbean to Knowledge,Networks, and Institutions Through ICTs

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been shown to be useful in agricultural knowledge systems to improve communication linkages among research, extension services, and farmers. The end result would be new information and technologies being made available to those who need it the most in larger numbers and in a timelier manner. While the role of ICTs in stimulating technological, organizational, institutional, and policy innovations in developing countries has been recognized, in many Caribbean States where ICTs are becoming readily available, the development and use of ICT in agricultural research and innovation systems remain underexploited, despite the fact that the agricultural sector in these developing nations accounts for a significant amount of the total employed labor force. This article traces key developments in ICT use in the agricultural sector in the Caribbean region, while highlighting the challenges as well as the potential of this technology. Several initiatives in the region are described and suggestions made for the development of innovative, appropriate, and efficient information and communication systems.     

Characteristics and Aquaculture Information Needs of Crayfish Farmers in Akwa-Ibom State,Nigeria

This study investigated the characteristics and aquaculture information needs of crayfish farmers in Akwa-Ibom State of Nigeria. Ninety crayfish farmers formed the sample for the study. Percentage, mean score, and multiple regression were used in data analysis. The findings show that the respondents had no extension contact and no access to crayfish and agriculture-related information. Information on adaptation to the effects of climate change on aquatic animals, especially crayfish, was needed by these farmers. Primary occupation, monthly income from crayfish enterprise, household size, and number of extension contacts were determinants of output on crayfish. The restriction of fishing activities on traditional festival days was a challenge, while the use of modern boats and durable nets were strategies for improving harvesting of crayfish.     

Access to Information for Farm-Level Decision-Making

Radio is an important medium for conveying agricultural information among farmers in remote areas. This study assessed the channels of information available to four farming communities in Ghana and analyzed stakeholder networks in information generation and dissemination. About 50% of the farmers expressed a willingness to pay for relevant information, though they think general farm information should be free to all. Farmers ranked other farmers as their most important and least expensive sources. Farm-level decision-making requires timely, adequate, and appropriate information, which can bring smallholder farmers closer to their world competitors through increased production, effective marketing, and increased incomes.     

Principal Areas of Applying Information and Communication Technologies in the Agricultural Extension System of Iran

This study investigated areas for potential application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the agricultural extension system of Iran. Two hundred forty-one extension staff (out of 1,145) in the Ministry of Agriculture were selected and studied as a sample through a stratified random sampling technique. The findings revealed that six factors/components containing 32 variables determined about 68.91% of the variations in the areas of application. The six factors were Management of documentation and preparation of extension information (14.88% of variance), Planning and implementation of extension education programs (13.6%), Professional empowerment of extension agents (10.8%), Expansion of intra-organizational relationships (10.27%), Facilitation of organizational processes (9.7%), and Improving communication through e-mail services (9.64%).