Amelung, Dorothee (author), Fischer, Helen (author), Kruse, Lenelis (author), Sauerborn, Rainer (author), and Department of Psychology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
Climate Change and Health Working Group, Institue of Public Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
Claremont Graduate University, USA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2016-08-31
Published:
Switzerland: Frontiers Media
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 164 Document Number: D08300
Brennan, Marnie L. (author), Wright, Nick (author), Wapenaar, Wendela (author), Jarratt, Susanne (author), Hobson-West, Pru (author), Richens, Imogen F. (author), Kaler, Jasmeet (author), Buchanan, Heather (author), Huxley, Jonathan N. (author), and O'Connor, Heather M. (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2016-10-11
Published:
United Kingdom
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 169 Document Number: D08767
Qiaolei Jiang (author), Aricat, Rajiv George (author), Chib, Arul (author), Chia, Alvin (author), Sie Mun Tan (author), Lisa Tan (author), and Zhen Wei Woo (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2016
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 155 Document Number: D07075
10 pages., Via open source journal., Farmbook is a novel information communication technology (ICT) tool for agricultural extension that is currently being field tested by the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Southern and East Africa. Farmbook enables extension agents to assess productivity and profitability of farming enterprises in a faster and more reliable manner, so as to increase farmer incomes and achieve food security. This study looked at the relationship between challenges faced by extension agents testing the Farmbook application and select socio-economic indicators influencing their work. Specific objectives were to identify and categorize the challenges facing extension agents in the field as they used Farmbook, assess gender differences in the use of Farmbook by extension agents, understand the relationship between socio-economic status of extension agents and the challenges faced in using Farmbook. Data were collected through document reviews, administration of a structured questionnaire and focus group meetings with field agents. Descriptive statistics and multivariate techniques were used to analyze data. The results show that personal and wider socio-economic conditions do have an impact on the proficiency of extension agents using Farmbook. The study goes on to recommend measures to improve the training and ICT proficiency of extension agents adopting Farmbook
