Beecher, John W. (author), Lancaster, F.W. (author), and Professor of Library Science, University of Illinois; Agriculture Librarian, University of Illinois
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1980-03
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 76 Document Number: C04001
Notes:
In: Agricultural information to hasten development : proceedings of the VIth World Congress of the International Association of Agricultural Librarians and Documentalists; 1980 March 3-7; Manilla, Philippines. Los Banos, Philippines : Agricultural Information Bank of Asia, 1981. p. 197-210
Menou, Michel J. (author / Information Science Consultant, Gentilly, France) and Information Science Consultant, Gentilly, France
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1980-03
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 76 Document Number: C04002
Notes:
In: Agricultural information to hasten development : proceedings of the VIth World Congress of the International Association of Agricultural Librarians and Documentalists; 1980 March 3-7; Manilla, Philippines. Los Banos, Philippines : Agricultural Information Bank of Asia, 1981. p. 211-226
33 pages, This study used an in-depth interview and information horizon maps to investigate information seeking behavior of 15 farmers in Central Taiwan. The results show that increased work roles led to more categories of information needed by farmers. Six types of information sources were used by farmers to obtain agricultural information. Interpersonal network was the most preferred information source by farmers. Especially, most farmers contacted other farmers first. Requesting agricultural organizations and farmer groups was the second preferred information source, followed by searching the Internet. Few farmers obtained information from libraries. Several factors affected farmers to select information sources. In addition, barriers to seeking agricultural information faced by farmers were identified. To strengthen the effect of agricultural information dissemination, some suggestions were made. Government agencies related to agriculture should focus the greatest influence of interpersonal network on disseminating agriculture information and improve the communication between agricultural extension agents and farmers. The content and time of agricultural courses were set based on farmers' needs. Improving farmers' information literacy is an essential issue as well.
