scholarly journals Determinants of agricultural extension agents’ internet competencies in Eastern Region of Ghana

Author(s):  
Bethel Worlah Akpotosu ◽  
Festus Annor-Frempong ◽  
Martin Bosompem
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-149
Author(s):  
Md. Kamruzzaman ◽  
Ataharul Chowdhury ◽  
Annemarie van Paassen ◽  
Wayne Ganpat

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been considered as key driving forces for enabling agricultural development ‒ the sector which provides livelihoods for majority of the population in Bangladesh. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the largest public sector agricultural extension service provider in Bangladesh, has recently enacted a new organizational policy for its staffs to use ICTs such as social media to provide better services. However, there is little or merely anecdotal evidence about how extension agents of DAE have been accepting and using social media for their professional work. Drawing on the theoretical underpinnings of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study is a first attempt to investigate social media use and acceptance among extension agents in Bangladesh. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires from 140 extension agents of DAE who work in the eastern region of Bangladesh. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings indicate that most extension agents (51.4%) used social media for half an hour to one hour every day. Perceived ease of use (PEoU) and Perceived usefulness (PU) are the most influential elements that determine DAE staff acceptance of social media for performing professional functions. Social media was perceived by extension agents as a means for improving professional performance, such as disseminating agricultural information; garnering support for new agricultural policy; networking with clients and colleagues and enabling coordination of services provided by colleagues. Overall, the findings indicate potential uses of social media in an ICT-based agricultural development strategy in Bangladesh.


ZOOTEC ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 302
Author(s):  
Elinde Yoman ◽  
M T Massie ◽  
R E.M.F Osak ◽  
J Pandey

ANALYSIS OF FARMERS' PERCEPTIONS TOWARD THE ROLE OF COUNSELING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PIG FARMING ON AGRIBUSINESS IN GIWAN VILLAGE, TIOM DISTRICT, LANNY JAYA REGENCY. The objective of this study was to determine farmer’s perceptons toward the role of agricultural extension agents in the development of pig livestock agribusiness for breeder’s in Giwan Village, Tiom District, Lanny Jaya Regency. This study used a survey method. Sample of group breeder wasdetermined by purposive sampling and sample of breeders was selected by simple random sampling method. The results of the study showed that: (1) Most pig farmers in Giwan village had good or high perceptions of extension workers in their roles as educators (80%), still have moderate as consultants (75%), as motivators (75%), and as organizers (80%) of farmers in providing counseling in Giwan village. The conclusion of this research was farmers in Giwan village have good perceptions of extension workers in their roles as educators, motivators, and as organizers of farmers in managing pigs' business.Keywords:  Agribusiness, Pig Farm, Extension, Giwan. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susvia Delta Kusdiane ◽  
Endriatmo Soetarto ◽  
Satyawan Sunito

Cimanuk Subdistrict is known with rice brand called “beras cimanuk”, which is a quality rice-producing area in Pandeglang Regency, but land use due to regional development has affected the lives of farmers, especially the younger generation of local farmers. This study aims to see how the conversion of agricultural land has a significant impact on social change in society, especially in the survival of generations of farmers. Data collection was conducted from April to June 2016 with interview techniques involving 21 informants consisting of tenants, landowners, surrounding communities, and agricultural extension agents. Data analysis was carried out descriptively. The results of the study concluded that land use change affected the declining role of agriculture in the socio-economic life of the community. the fading of the meaning of agricultural land became a driver in the difficulty of realizing the regeneration of farmers in Cimanuk subdistrict


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-57
Author(s):  
Zafezeka Mbali Zikhali ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽  
Maxwell Mudhara ◽  
Obert Jiri

This study assessed the provision of informal training offered by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture, South Africa, to agricultural extension officers (AEOs). The study used surveyed 90 public extension officers purposively sampled. There were statistically significant differences in extension officers’ exposure to climate change between their education levels and in the provision of climate change training between extension officers’ work experience ( P⩽0.05). The study concluded that the majority of AEOs have not been fully exposed to climate information prior to their employment. This suggests that the information gap in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) stems from the slow mainstreaming and integration of climate change information.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 463-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Sam ◽  
Simon K. Osei ◽  
Lucy P. Dzandu ◽  
Kirchuffs Atengble

The agricultural sector plays a decisive role in Ghana’s economy, employment, and food security. The study set out to assess the information needs of agricultural extension agents across all the agro-ecological zones of Ghana, in order to provide them with the right information. A structured field survey methodology was used for the study and 472 agricultural extension agents from 40 districts in Ghana served as the respondents. The findings of the study revealed that agricultural extension agents regularly sourced for information from books and reports; visual or pictorial information was the most preferred format for package of information. The AEAs used agricultural extension information to assist in the discharge of their work, and as a basis for advice to farmers on general farm planning and consultancy among others. Challenges identified in accessing information included inadequate information infrastructure and training avenues. The AEAs suggested that critical information infrastructure such as libraries, information centers, and databases be provided as measures to offset the challenges. The study recommended that efforts should be directed at improving extension agents’ access to information infrastructure and that different and wide-ranging media should be developed to supply information to the AEAs.


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