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2. Dial “A” for agriculture: a review of information and communication technologies for agricultural extension in developing countries
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Aker, Jenny C. (author) and Economics Department and Fletcher School, Tufts University
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2011-03-21
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 109 Document Number: D10993
- Journal Title:
- Agricultural Economics
- Journal Title Details:
- 42 : 631-647
- Notes:
- 17 pages., Agriculture can serve as an important engine for economic growth in developing countries, yet yields in these countries have lagged far behind those in developed countries for decades. One potential mechanism for increasing yields is the use of improved agricultural technologies, such as fertilizers, seeds, and cropping techniques. Public sector programs have attempted to overcome information-related barriers to technological adoption by providing agricultural extension services. While such programs have been widely criticized for their limited scale, sustainability, and impact, the rapid spread of mobile phone coverage in developing countries provides a unique opportunity to facilitate technological adoption via information and communication technology (ICT)-based extension programs. This article outlines the potential mechanisms through which ICT could facilitate agricultural adoption and the provision of extension services in developing countries. It then reviews existing programs using ICT for agriculture, categorized by the mechanism (voice, text, internet, and mobile money transfers) and the type of services provided. Finally, we identify potential constraints to such programs in terms of design and implementation, and conclude with some recommendations for implementing field-based research on the impact of these programs on farmers’ knowledge, technological adoption, and welfare.
3. Effect of information communication technology on agricultural information access among researchers, extension agents, and farmers in south western Nigeria
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Oladele, O. I. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2011
- Published:
- Taylor & Francis
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 18 Document Number: D10485
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Agricultural & Food Information
- Journal Title Details:
- 12(2): 167-176
- Notes:
- 11 pages., via online journal., This study compared researchers, extension agents, and farmers’ perceptions of the effect of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on agricultural information access. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 88 researchers, 115 extension agents, and 271 farmers. Data collected through a structured questionnaire were analyzed using means, standard deviation, and one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that, of the 29 statements on the rating scale, researchers, extension agents, and farmers agreed with and were positively disposed to 25, 23, and 19, respectively. A significant difference in the effect of ICT on agricultural information access among researchers, extension agents, and farmers (F = 6.49, p < .05) was observed. Access to agricultural information through ICT will continue to improve, since perceptions are overtly positive among researchers, extension agents, and farmers.
4. Factors affecting the perceptions of Iranian agricultural researchers towards nanotechnology
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Hosseini, Seyed Mahmood (author) and Rezaei, Rohollah (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2011
- Published:
- SAGE Journals
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10593
- Journal Title:
- Public Understanding of Science
- Journal Title Details:
- 20(4): 513–524
- Notes:
- 12 pages., via online journal., This descriptive survey research was undertaken to design appropriate programs for the creation of a positive perception of nanotechnology among their intended beneficiaries. In order to do that, the factors affecting positive perceptions were defined. A stratified random sample of 278 science board members was selected out of 984 researchers who were working in 22 National Agricultural Research Institutions (NARIs). Data were collected by using a mailed questionnaire. The descriptive results revealed that more than half of the respondents had “low” or “very low” familiarity with nanotechnology. Regression analysis indicated that the perceptions of Iranian NARI Science Board Members towards nanotechnology were explained by three variables: the level of their familiarity with emerging applications of nanotechnology in agriculture, the level of their familiarity with nanotechnology and their work experiences. The findings of this study can contribute to a better understanding of the present situation of the development of nanotechnology and the planning of appropriate programs for creating a positive perception of nanotechnology.