Pages 121-147 in Scaling-up Solutions for Farmers., In most of the developing countries in Asia and Africa large yield gaps are existing between the current farmers’ yields and potential achievable yields. The necessity of meeting the farmers’ requirement to scale up research results is paramount for adequate food production. This requires empowerment of farmers by answering queries of farmers appropriately through different extension channels including state and central machineries. These are the backbone of the agricultural technology development to empower farmers as the major stakeholders and hence requires attention. Lack of awareness among farmers about good agricultural management practices compel them to follow the traditional practices. All agricultural education and research, ultimately aims at increased productivity and economic well-being of farmers. This is possible only when there is a minimum gap between laboratories and land. This gap is bridged by agricultural extension. But human capacity, the content of the information, processes of delivery and technology determine effectiveness of extension services. Non-availability of sufficient extension personnel is a major constraint. To overcome these shortcomings, e-Extension (eE) is the alternative. It is important to rejuvenate the agricultural extension system (AES) with innovative information communication technology (ICT) models for knowledge generation and dissemination. Latest digital technologies are discussed in this chapter on ICT to empower farmers to scale up for reaching the required target of food production with special reference to Indian scenario.
There is an urgent need to transform neglected knowledge delivery systems by strengthening the science of delivery which has been neglected by the researchers/development worker/policy makers alike. Availability of new technologies such as information technology (IT), internet of things (IoT), audio and video using cell phones, geographical information system (GIS), simulation modelling, remote sensing (RS) open up new vistas for effective knowledge delivery for achieving the impacts on ground. This will help to cross the “Death Valley of Impacts” for achieving the zero hunger goal by adopting innovative approaches/tools and partnerships.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C19061
Notes:
Pages 306-329 in Rajab Ali Memon, managing author, and Elena Bashir, editor, Extension methods. National Book Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan. 378 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 180 Document Number: C36208
Notes:
Section 2 in Don Richardson and Lynnita Paisley (eds.), The first mile of connectivity, Communication for Development, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. Via online. 8 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C21688
Notes:
Pages 207-219 in K. Sadanandan Nair and Shirley A. White (eds.), Perspectives on development communication. Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, California. 256 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C19733
Notes:
Pages 161-178 in Pilar Riano (ed.), Women in grassroots communication: furthering social change. Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, California USA. 315 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D00875
Notes:
Pages 210-235 in Kelly Askew and Richard R. Wilk (eds.), The anthropology of media: a reader. Blackwell Readers in Anthropology. Blackwell Publishers Inc., Malden, Massachusetts. 416 pages., Examines how Aboriginal Australians produce and use film and video to reflect their interests and identity.
