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2. Awareness and use of e-resources among public extension personnel in Anambra state, Nigeria
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Tochukwu Sabastine Nwabugwu (author), Cynthia Ebere Nwobodo (author), John Chukwuma Okoro (author), and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-01
- Published:
- Nigeria
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 149 Document Number: D10114
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Agricultural Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- Vol. 23(1) : 164-170
- Notes:
- 7 pages., Via online journal, The study assessed the awareness and use of e-resources among public extension personnel in the area. Stratified sampling technique was used in selecting respondents from each cadre of the Anambra State Agricultural Development Programme (ASADEP). A total of sixty-nine (69) agricultural extension staff was used for the study. Findings show the major e-resource tool that was available to the majority (94.2%) of extension staff in the area was mobile phone, while 62.3% indicated that computer was available to them. The majority (69.6%) of the respondents were each aware of Facebook, and email, while 56.5% were aware of twitter. Among those who were aware of email, the majority (59.4%) indicated they used it while 43.5% of those that were aware of Facebook indicated they used it. Results show that 15.9% of the respondents indicated they used e-journal in exchanging information on pests and diseases, 10.1% exchanged weather and climate information on e-mail, while 11.6% each indicated they used email to exchange information on farm inputs and market prices. On the other hand, 10.1% each used e-journal and e-mail to exchange information on processing methods. The study concluded by drawing attention to the very low adoption of e-resources in extension service delivery in the area. Efforts should be made by both federal and state governments to provide enabling technological environment and training opportunities for extension personnel in order to improve e-extension which is a veritable alternative towards solving the issues of dearth in extension staff that has been a persistent problem plaguing extension service in the country.
3. Farmers’ intention to use text messaging for extension services in Trinidad
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Narine, Lendel K. (author), Harder, Amy (author), and Roberts, T. Grady (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-07-12
- Published:
- Trinidad: Taylor & Francis
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 109 Document Number: D10969
- Journal Title:
- The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- 25(4) : 293-306
- Notes:
- 15 pages, via online journal, Purpose: The effectiveness of new extension approaches hinges on farmers’ willingness to adopt innovative ways to interact with extension. Therefore, this study explored farmers’ willingness to use mobile text messaging for two-way interactions with Ministry Extension officers. Design/Methodology/Approach: Guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study followed a correlational design and survey data were conveniently collected from 200 farmers of Trinidad. Findings: Findings showed most farmers of the sample knew how to send and receive text messages, and many owned Internet-enabled smartphones. In addition, most farmers were willing to communicate with extension officers through text messages. Practical Implications: Ministry Extension should revisit and revise their policies of communicating with farmers. Administrators should encourage extension officers to use SMS to respond to farmers’ requests and information needs. Theoretical Implications: While the UTAUT provided an appropriate framework for understanding farmers’ use of text messaging, researchers should tailor the moderator variables to the country’s context. Originality/Value: This study is the first to look at farmers’ willingness to use two-way information communication technologies in Trinidad. Results showed there is potential for Ministry Extension to use text messaging to communicate with farmers.
4. Gender differences in use and preferences of agricultural information sources in Pakistan
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- J. Lamontagne-Godwin (author), F. E. Williams (author), N. Aslam, S. Cardey (author), P. Dorward (author), and M. Alma (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2018-06-27
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 149 Document Number: D10112
- Journal Title:
- The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- 24(5) : 419–434
- Notes:
- Via online journal, Purpose: Rural advisory services ensure agricultural information is disseminated to rural populations, yet they are less accessible to women. This research provides insight on gender differences in information access by investigating frequency of use and preference of agricultural information sources by gender in a rural setting, differentiated according to literacy and age. Design/Methodology/approach: This study interviewed 401 male/female individuals in farm households in Jhang and Bahawalpur district of Punjab, Pakistan in 2016. Findings: Men and women farmers’ use and preferences in accessing information sources are extremely different. Women hardly use sources for agricultural information, and value interpersonal communication from informal sources. In contrast, men use and value official agencies more. Radio, surprisingly, was very rarely used, contradicting previous findings of research elsewhere. Age and literacy affect differences between women more than it does between men, particularly for convenient locations to access information. Practical implications The study identified and refined major gender differences regarding use and preference for agricultural information in relation to age and literacy, and helps to articulate options to improve gender equality of access to agricultural information in Pakistan. Theoretical implications: The focus and outcomes regarding gender intersecting with age and literacy in agricultural information access imply the need for more refined socio-economic models, discerning and interrelating gender and other social dimensions beyond the standard of male-headed households. Originality/value: This paper adds to the growing body of evidence on information access according to gender, highlighting the need to investigate deeper socio-cultural issues around age and literacy.
5. Identifying gender-responsive approaches in rural advisory services that contribute to the institutionalisation of gender in Pakistan
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Lamontagne-Godwin, J. (author), Cardey, S. (author), Williams, F. E. (author), Dorward, P. T. (author), Aslam, N. (author), and Almas, M. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-04
- Published:
- Taylor & Francis
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10639
- Journal Title:
- The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- 25(3): 267-288
- Notes:
- 23 pages., via online journal., Unequal reach and access to information is an issue that affects women involved in agricultural activities around the world. Recent initiatives to address gender unequal access to agricultural information have been clumsy, overlooking participatory approaches that focus on transformative change. This study uses Pakistani rural advisory services to compare farmers' and extension workers’ perceptions of access to agricultural information, to identify culturally acceptable gender-responsive schemes.
6. Impact of mass media and extension worker contact on degree of adoption of improved animal husbandry practices by livestock farmers of Tarai area of district U.S. Nagar
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Arora, A.S. (author), Dawra, Vasundhara (author), Kumar, Avadhesh (author), and Dabas, Y.P.S. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2017-06
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10646
- Journal Title:
- Veterinary Practitioner
- Journal Title Details:
- 18 (1): 152-153
- Notes:
- 3 pages., via online journal., The successful transfer of improved animal husbandry practices depends considerably on the effective communication thereby increasing the adoption level among the livestock farmers and ultimately production of our livestock. An efficient as well as effective communication would create congenial environment to stimulate the adoption of evolved animal husbandry practices. However, the identification and utilization of effective source and channels of communication are the essential prerequisite for the same. Correlation of mass media exposure and extension worker contact was positively significant with degree of adoption of selected animal husbandry practices. It clearly indicates that as the mass media exposure and extension worker contact among livestock farmers increases, the degree of adoption of these selected animal husbandry practices also increases, i.e. vaccination, deworming, urea treatment of poor quality roughages, feeding of mineral mixture, use of hybrid seed for fodder production, concentrate feeding and use of artificial insemination in their animals. It was concluded that due importance should be given to mass media exposure and extension worker contact for effective and successful dissemination of animal husbandry practices
7. Information provision by public library to agricultural extension agents in a developing country
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Idiegbeyan-Ose, Jerome (author), Owolabi, Ayotunde (author), Segun-Adeniran, Chidi (author), Aregbesola, Ayooluwa (author), Emmanuel Owolabi, Sola (author), and Eyiolorunshe, Toluwani (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2018-12-10
- Published:
- Taylor & Francis
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 114 Document Number: D10996
- Journal Title:
- Public Library Quarterly
- Journal Title Details:
- 38(1) : 103-115
- Notes:
- 14 pages., One of the bedrock of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is eradication of poverty and hunger. In an attempt to actualize this goal, the role of public libraries in information provision to agricultural extension agents in Nigeria becomes paramount. This paper discusses provision of information to agricultural extension agents in a developing country. It starts with the concept of extension agents and the essence of information provision to them. It further discusses types, sources and challenges of public libraries in information provision to agricultural extension workers in a developing country. Some of the challenges are as follows: poor funding of public libraries, demotivated staff, and so on. Based on these discussions, the paper recommended adequate training and retraining of staff, adequate funding of public libraries by the federal, state and local government, the revitalization of the abandoned mobile library services among others. The paper therefore concludes that information provision to agricultural extension agents by public library is very crucial for national development. The current state of poverty, hunger and lack in Nigeria and some other African countries could be reduced to a great extent if current, relevant and up-to-date information are provided by libraries to the concerned agencies.
8. Mobile technology and food access
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Wantchekon, Leonard (author) and Riaz, Zara (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-02-16
- Published:
- USA: Science Direct
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 12 Document Number: D10352
- Journal Title:
- World Development
- Journal Title Details:
- 117 : 344-356
- Notes:
- 13 pages., Via online journal., Access to food is a basic pillar of human development. It is therefore unsurprising that it features so centrally on global development agendas and that a robust, interdisciplinary literature seeks to examine its determinants. This study focuses on the relationship between mobile technology and food access. Specifically, we ask whether mobile technology can strengthen the relationship between food access and certain social and political factors such as remittance flows and political participation. We use Afrobarometer surveys and highly disaggregated data on 2G network coverage to estimate a multilevel model testing how increased connectivity measured by mobile technology influences food access. We show that mobile phone use and higher frequency of use are significantly and positively correlated with food access, but we do not find evidence that remittances and political participation levels can explain the mechanisms linking mobile technology and food access. The study highlights that connectivity can play a powerful role in shaping food outcomes even when controlling for commonly identified impediments such as income constraints or physical isolation. These findings suggest that policies aimed at improving food access should devote attention to strengthening both communication and physical infrastructure.
9. The State of Rural Information and Communication Services in Tanzania: A Meta-Analysis
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Mtega, Wulystan Pius (author) and Ronald, Benard (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2013-02
- Published:
- Sokoine University of Agriculture
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 101 Document Number: D10887
- Journal Title:
- International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research
- Journal Title Details:
- 3(2):64-73
- Notes:
- 10 pages., ISSN 2223-4985, via online journal., The study investigated the factors influencing accessibility of rural information services in Tanzania. Specifically the study identified the types of information services provided in rural areas; identified the sources of information used by rural people and determined the barriers to accessibility of information services in rural areas in Tanzania. The study employed a meta-analysis methodology where studies on information services in rural areas in Tanzania were analysed. Findings of the analysis were then compared and contrasted to see the similarities and differences. It was found that there were several information sources used in rural areas ranging from simple face to face communication to modern interactive ICTs including the mobile phones. Despite the availability of a number of information sources, several factors limited the accessibility of information services in rural areas. Findings show that high illiteracy levels, poor/unreliable information infrastructure, low income, lack of electricity and high cost of ICTs have limited the accessibility of information services in rural areas. Others factors including the use of difficulty languages when repackaging information, lack of time to access information and geographical isolation to have also limited some from accessing information services in rural areas. The study recommends that in-order to improve the access to information services in rural areas, it is important to deal with both individual and institutional factors which limit access to information. It is also important to conduct audience research oftenly that appropriate information can be delivered to the right people.
10. The digital divide: Implications for agribusiness and entrepreneurship. Lessons from Wales
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Bowen, Robert (author) and Morris, Wyn (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-12
- Published:
- Elsevier
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 148 Document Number: D11591
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Rural Studies
- Journal Title Details:
- 72:75-84
- Notes:
- 10 pages., via online journal., This paper investigates the impact of broadband access on agribusiness in rural Wales and the resulting implications on entrepreneurial activity. Despite attempts by Government and telecommunications providers to develop widespread broadband coverage in Wales, concerns remain in relation to an increasing digital divide between urban and rural locations. Broadband is a key enabling technology therefore connectivity is significant, not only in communication, but also in the ability for businesses to innovate and grow. Wales is a predominantly rural country with 84% of the total land area in Wales being used for agriculture (Welsh Government, 2013). The food and farming sector represents a significant part of the Welsh economy, and is dominated by small businesses. Connectivity and increased use of technology are vital for these businesses to overcome location constraints and various industrial challenges, notably Brexit. The research uses survey data from 738 farmers and 107 food SMEs in Wales, with 19 follow-up semi-structured interviews. The survey results highlight issues of technology adoption, with 19% of farmers in the survey having no access to broadband internet, with others reporting the speed of connection being a limiting factor. The consequences of poor connectivity point to limited computer skills and low levels of soft technology adoption, a lack of engagement with social media, limited scope for innovation and restricted business growth, with 55.1% of food respondents identifying poor broadband access as a barrier to internationalisation. This has led to agrifood businesses adopting a passive approach to growth opportunities. The findings suggest that rural areas remain at a disadvantage due to poor connectivity, an issue that must be tackled by the Welsh Government to readdress the balance in the economy and limit a brain drain of skilled people moving to urban areas, often outside Wales. Support for such businesses is vital, particularly given the pressures and uncertainty in the industry, as broadband access represents an important enabler for future innovation and entrepreneurial activity