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.     

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.     

Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Among Private Agricultural Organization Workers in Oyo State,Nigeria

This study was designed to investigate the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among private agricultural organization workers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. One hundred and five respondents were randomly sampled for the study. Frequency counts, percentages, chi-square, Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in analyzing the data. Findings revealed that respondents’ age is significantly related to the use of ICTs and that age and marital status are significantly related to attitude toward use of ICTs. In addition, the study revealed that respondents’ age was significantly related to the benefits derived from the use of ICTs. Recommendations include a better supply of electricity, periodic training and continuous retraining of workers in the use of ICTs, and the creation and enforcement of government policies that will bring about sustainable use of ICTs for agricultural development.     

Use of Information and Communication Technologies for Agricultural Teaching and Research in Universities in Enugu State,Nigeria

This study examined the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for agricultural teaching and research in universities in Enugu State, Nigeria. Results show that almost all the respondents (lecturers 96.9%, students 90%) had acquired ICT training. Computers, GSM/telephone, photocopying machines, e-mail, flash drives, printers and Internet were the most frequently used ICTs. The age of the lecturers was the most important factor that significantly influenced the frequency of computer usage for teaching and research (P ≤ 0.05).     

Farm Households' Simultaneous Use of Sources to Access Information on Cotton Crop Production

This study has investigated farm households' simultaneous use of social networks, field extension, traditional media, and modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) to access information on cotton crop production. The study was based on a field survey, conducted in Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from 399 cotton farm households using the multistage sampling technique. Important combinations of information sources were found in terms of their simultaneous use to access information. The study also examined the factors influencing the use of various available information sources. A multivariate probit model was used considering the correlation among the use of social networks, field extension, traditional media, and modern ICTs. The findings indicated the importance of different socioeconomic and institutional factors affecting farm households' use of available information sources on cotton production. Important policy conclusions are drawn based on findings.     

世界主要国家精准农业发展概况及对中国的发展建议

中国是一个农业生产和消费大国,同时也面临着投入产出比率相对较低、环境污染等一系列问题,尤其在国际形势变化、自然灾害频发的背景下,中国传统农业生产方式亟需转型升级。在人工智能、物联网、云平台等新兴技术的带动下,精准农业孕育而生,成为了全球农业实现绿色、高产的有效途径。该文瞄准世界精准农业发展较好的发达国家和地区,通过文献梳理和总结,凝练出政府引导、信息化建设、科技支撑、新型农民培育等发达国家和地区发展精准农业的成功经验。在此基础上,着眼于中国大田种植,分析中国发展精准农业的基础,从农田配套设施及信息化建设、农业信息获取、自动变量作业系统及装备等方面充分认识中国发展精准农业的薄弱环节。该文旨在厘清中国精准农业的发展方向,借鉴国际经验,提出中国精准农业今后的发展建议,如强化政府组织领导作用、加强基础设施和信息化建设、聚焦核心技术研发、培养新型农业人才、分区域试点示范。     

Information Transfer in the Agricultural Sector in Spain

This article examines the structures of information transfer to the agricultural (production) and agro-alimentary (transformation and commercialization of the products) sector within Spain. An historical perspective is provided to better illustrate the reality and complexity of Spain with regard to the systems of agrarian extension, agricultural research, the resources provided by Spain's central administration, and the use of information by related enterprises.

The Service of Agrarian Extension appeared in Spain in the 1950s, and new political-administrative structures (agribusiness associations, cooperatives) were founded when Spain became a democratic nation in the late 1970s and with the arrival of electronic information, largely in the 1990s. We describe the research and technological centers supporting innovation in the agro-alimentary sector and the communication media dedicated to the agricultural sector. The article illustrates that the systems of agricultural information in Spain have been largely derived from initiatives of the Public Administration, with few private initiatives.     

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.     

世界主要农业发达地区农产品追溯体系发展现状

确保安全和提升品质是现阶段世界范围内农产品的两大主题。基于现代信息科技及物联网技术的农产品追溯机制主要涉及两方面功用,一方面通过将供应链的相关信息透明化,最大程度降低生产者和消费者之间的信息不对称;另一方面通过在农产品供应链上下游实现追踪和溯源两大功能,推进农产品安全责任制,迎合了人们对农产品安全和品质的需求,引起了世界范围内的广泛重视,纷纷予以推动和实施。该文从追溯法律与法规、标准与规范、推动与实施3个层面阐述了欧美、日韩及台湾等世界主要农业发达地区农产品追溯体系的推进和最新发展情况,在列举典型追溯系统实例的基础上对比分析并总结了各自发展的特点,指出综合与精简是农产品追溯体系的发展方向,最后从机构、立法、标准、实施、验证等多个角度对中国农产品追溯体系的进一步发展、推广与深化提出建议,以期真正发挥追溯体系效用、守护国人健康。     

利用农民指标评估中国云南省坡地土壤耕作系统的可持续性研究

Diversity in the biophysical and socio-economic attributes of agricultural systems makes them uniquely niche based. Farmers are expert in local biophysical and socio-economic situations and can contribute in developing pragmatic indicators of agro-environmental development. During evaluation of an agricultural research project in Yunnan, China, local farmers were capable of evaluating the effects of modified technologies on existing cropping systems and discussed their attitudes to the interventions using their own indicators. Farmers’ response can be grouped into seven major aspects: i) effects on income, ii) effects on production resources, iii) effects on crop management, iv) existing local knowledge about the technology, v) availability of inputs, vi) access to information, and vii) socio-economic conditions of farming households. Farmers concluded that environmental conditions in the experimental catchment in comparison to an adjacent untreated catchment were better in terms of soil and water losses, vegetation cover and natural resources, infrastructures and catchment management, use of environmentally-friendly technologies, and crop productivity. Success in soil and water conservation programmes depends on the efforts of the farmers and other local users and their greater involvement helps to identify more pragmatic indicators. Furthermore, it increases ownership of the programme, enhances interactions with the project scientists, increases farmers’ awareness of agro-environmental problems and their possible consequences. These development will enable scientists to develop better targeted interventions and increase the likelihood of adoption of tested technologies by local communities. The use of paired adjacent catchments improved evaluation activities and is proposed as good practice for future catchment improvement programmes.     

Training Requirements of Agricultural Extension Officers Using Borich Needs Assessment Model

This study is based on the opinions of selected Iraqi extension workers, regarding the type and amount of training they need, given their experience in the field. The Borich Needs Assessment Model was used for measuring training needs. The data were collected through questionnaires given to 300 respondents (agricultural workers) from January 15, 2016 to March 20, 2016. The results show that crop-planting courses have the greatest benefit. The greatest training need is skill and knowledge of teaching methods, while a moderately needed skill is the use of computer and information and communication technologies (ICT); management skills are the least needed training.     

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%).     

乡村振兴与农业工程学科创新

乡村振兴作为农业农村现代化的长期目标和全方位发展过程,为涉农学科提供了空前巨大的创新与调整空间。该文旨在探讨农业工程学科在这一新的历史机遇与挑战面前,如何确定学科调整与优化的方向,为乡村振兴战略的实施提供有力的科技与人才支撑。近年来,以新工科、新农科建设为标志的新一轮学科布局调整,十分注重引入新技术与产业革命成果,用信息、数字技术和人工智能改造、提升传统工科和农科;相对而言,针对乡村振兴引发的农业农村现代化道路扩展与发展形态变革对学科创新的需求则重视程度不足。农业工程因其对农业农村现代化的特殊与关键性作用,理应更重视社会经济发展模式与结构调整对学科创新的影响及其对应关系。当前形势下,农业工程学科创新应重点关注以下几方面的问题:1)乡村振兴战略的实施为农业工程学科的创新与拓展开辟了新空间,提出了新要求;2)农业工程技术体系的开发推广将从以农业生产领域为主向依托农业农村资源而形成的多产业融合领域延伸;3)农业工程人才培养与科研体系建设要面向乡村生产生活和生态系统构建的全领域全过程;4)农业农村各产业及区域系统性建设要与城乡融合发展和推进农村治理体系与治理结构现代化的需求对接。现阶段,关于农业工程学科创新与扩展的新领域和新方向,在下述几个方面存在十分紧迫的现实需求:1)农村电子商务工程;2)乡村景观营造与维护工程;3)乡村新业态生产空间营造;4)乡村生态环境工程;5)乡村社会经济管理与治理体系和治理结构系统工程。     

中国农业工程的发展经验

阐述了农业工程发展在推进中国农业现代化中所起的积极作用。农业工程科技有助于推进中国的城市化发展进程，为农业和农业现代化的一体化发展奠定了基础，为保障中国的粮食安全和国民经济的可持续发展做出了重要贡献。建立了完备的农业工程高等教育体系，服务于农业、食品、生态和环境领域。系统培养了数以千计的农业工程技术人才和管理人才。文章指出，政府的倡导和政策支持是中国农业工程发展的驱动力，科研人才和工程技术人才及其创新是关键，产业发展和农民的需求是发展的基础。农业工程有效的推动了农业现代化发展，并在很多方面发挥了积极作用，如促进农业产业化发展，引导农民合作组织，推广应用先进实用技术，促进研究成果的转化利用，教育培训农民，高效利用资源，提高生产效率，提升生产方式，增强农产品的市场竞争力，创造农村劳动力就业机会和增加农民收入，保护环境，维护生态平衡，等等。     

SHui,an EU-Chinese cooperative project to optimize soil and water management in agricultural areas in the XXI century

This article outlines the major scientific objectives of the SHui project that seeks to optimize soil and water use in agricultural systems in the EU and China, by considering major current scientific challenges in this area. SHui (for Soil Hydrology research platform underpinning innovation to manage water scarcity in European and Chinese cropping systems) is large cooperative project that aims to provide significant advances through transdisciplinary research at multiple scales (plot, field, catchment and region). This paper explains our research platform of long-term experiments established at plot scale, approaches taken to integrate crop and hydrological models at field scale; coupled crop models and satellite-based observations at regional scales; decision support systems for specific farming situations; and the integration of these technologies to provide policy recommendations through socio-economic analysis of the impact of soil and water saving technologies. It also outlines the training of stakeholders to develop a basic common curriculum despite the subject being distributed across different disciplines and professions. As such, this article provides a review of major challenges for improving soil and water use in EU and China as well as information about the potential to access information made available by SHui, and to allow others to engage with the project.     

农业非点源污染防治技术的研究现状及进展

随着点源污染的控制水平的提高,非点源污染的治理成为全球环境问题能否得到有效解决的关键,而农业非点源污染作为其中覆盖面最广、隐蔽性最强、治理难度最大的污染类别,自然受到更为广泛的关注.该文介绍了农业非点源污染及其特征,分析了农业非点源污染扩散的方式,总结了导致农业非点源污染的主要原因,以技术防治为切入点,对现阶段国内外农业非点源污染防治技术的研究进行了简要综述,提出了农业非点源污染防治技术研究中存在的问题,并结合存在的问题在化肥等农业生产投入品的新品研发、农业非点源污染情况的实时监控及预警系统的构建、以及可操作性强的决策支持系统的构建等方面对未来农业非点源污染的技术防治进行了展望.     

对“十五”期间我国农机化技术发展方向与重点的思考

“十五”我国农机化技术发展面临农业结构调整、西部大开发、加入WTO的新形势,应坚持农机化技术创新、拓宽农机化技术领域、不同类型地区各有侧重重点突破的原则,重点研究开发农机化发展中的瓶颈技术、节本增效技术、促进农业可持续发展的技术和推广“十大”农机化技术,给农业增效、农民增收,实现农业现代化和农业可持续发展提供强有力的装备技术支撑