Clearfield, Frank (author), Warner, Paul D. (author), and Clearfield: Soil Conservation Service, South National Technical Center, Fort Worth, TX; Warner: Department of Sociology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1984
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 72 Document Number: C03470
Pages 69-70 in Extension Circular 541, Review of Extension Research, January through December 1961, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Summary of thesis for the master of science degree in agricultural extension education, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. 1961. 77 pages.
INTERPAKS, Reviews how the agricultural extension agent has dealt with the process of technology transfer and the categories of farmers affected by the diffusion process. Discusses CIMMYT's model of grouping rural populations into homogenous target categories to develop appropriate technologies and the influence it has had on the process of technology development. Points out that strategies intended to assist small farmers depend as much on the creation of appropriate opportunities as on the creation of appropriate technologies.
7 pages., As the information revolution sweeps through the agricultural sector, extension professionals may be lagging behind their clients in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) such as social media, which could be a valuable tool for outreach and education. We surveyed sustainable agriculture stakeholders in California - extension professionals, county agricultural commissioners, and members of farm bureaus and producer groups - to measure their ICT behavior and attitudes. Drawing on diffusion of innovation theory, we characterized the innovation attributes of ICT that may influence the adoption and use of new technology among extension professionals. We also studied their demographic characteristics to establish whether there was a connection with ICT use. The main perceived benefit of ICT was that it can quickly reach larger, more diverse and more distant audiences. The perceived challenges included lack of professional support, the potential for misinformation on social media platforms, and the time requirements and technical complexity of technology use. Extension professionals experienced these challenges more than other sustainable agriculture stakeholders, creating a technology gap between extension professionals and their clientele. An ICT community of practice and clear organizational guidelines for measuring and reporting performance relating to ICT might help extension professionals dose the gap.
Sahay, B.N. (author), Singh, I.B. (author), and Ph.D. student, Department of Agricultural Journalism, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; Dy. Director (S.W.), P.E.O., Planning Commission, New Delhi, India
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1970-09
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 39 Document Number: B04461
