Agricultural Extension Professionals Research Articles

TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES OF EXTENSION PERSONNEL IN THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR AGRICULTURAL SERVICE DELIVERY IN SOUTHEAST, NIGERIA

The study assessed the technological capabilities of extension personnel in the use of social media for agricultural service delivery in Southeast, Nigeria. One hundred and eighty-nine agricultural extension professionals constituted the population for the study. Data was analyzed using percentages, charts and mean scores. Results show that 97.4% of the agricultural extension professionals indicated that they use whatsapp for agricultural extension service delivery while 93.2% of the respondents indicated that they use facebook for service delivery. Data show that 95.3% of the respondents indicated that they use social media in linking with their colleagues. Entries show that 93.2% of the respondents indicated that they linked with Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) while 92.6% of the extension professionals linked with farmers group. Result show that 84.2% of the respondents had linkage with the ministry of agriculture. Also, 60.5% of the respondents interacted with the ministry of agriculture between 1-10 times while 54.2% of the respondents interacted with the ADP between 5-10 times in the last one year. Government should therefore ensure improved job satisfaction for agricultural extension professionals possibly by increasing their remuneration and providing logistics that would help them to keep in touch with other institutions for latest research results for the interest of the farmers.

Evaluating the Usability, Perceived Performance, and Perceived Effects of KBGAN iHealth© and KBGAN iFeed© Mobile Apps for Buffalo Management in Selected Municipalities in the Philippines

This study evaluates the KBGAN iHealth© and KBGAN iFeed© mobile apps designed for buffalo health and feeding management, particularly for agricultural extension professionals (AEPs) in selected Philippine municipalities. These apps aim to address challenges in buffalo management, such as limited access to veterinary expertise, personalized recommendations, organized data, communication channels, and difficulties in calculating ideal feed compositions and meeting the distinct needs of smallholder farmers and AEPs. Despite System Usability Scale (SUS) scores indicating marginal acceptability for both apps, weighted mean scores by AEPs for statements assessed on a 5-point Likert scale (1 as strongly disagree and 5 as strongly agree), demonstrate that AEPs reported high confidence in the accuracy of buffalo health diagnostics (Mean of 4.20) and health management recommendations (Mean of 4.17) provided by KBGAN iHealth©. Similarly, KBGAN iFeed© received favorable ratings, with AEPs expressing agreement on the accuracy of feeding recommendations (Mean of 3.89) and the facilitation of feeding ration computations (Mean of 4.00). These positive perceived performance outcomes, coupled with increased confidence (Mean of 4.03) and motivation (Mean of 4.00) among AEPs, suggest the potential for frequent and consistent app usage despite usability concerns. Chi-square tests examining the relationship between AEP characteristics and SUS scores for the apps reveal significant associations between AEPs' education and experience levels and SUS scores for KBGAN iFeed©. The choice of IT device also influences KBGAN iHealth© SUS scores. Proposed enhancements by AEPs include refining algorithms, improving the user interface for navigation, speed, and efficiency, and incorporating features such as photo uploads and geotagging.

Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence-based Technology for Agricultural Extension Services among Extension Professionals in Nigeria

The study examined the current awareness and usage, determined the level of utilisation of AI-based digital technology for agricultural extension services, and identified the merit and demerit of using AI-based digital technology for agricultural extension services. Data were collected through an online structured questionnaire from 131 extension professionals across Nigeria. Percentage and mean were used to describe and summarise the data. The findings revealed that 79.4% of the respondents were aware that AI-based digital technology can be used for agricultural extension services, while 55.7% reported that they had used the technology at one time or the other. About 45% of the respondents disseminated innovations and 34% demonstrated innovations and technologies through the use of AI-based digital technology. Also, 77.9% perceived reaching the target audience everywhere and every time as the major merit of AI- based digital technology while 71.8% identified high-cost implications of digital enablers as its major demerit. There was a high level of awareness but a low level of utilization of AI-based digital technology for agricultural extension services among agricultural extension professionals. On-the-job capacity building should be organized for the current professionals to promote the use of AIbased digital technology for agricultural extension services in Nigeria.

Core Skills and Competencies for Inclusion in the Curriculum for Effective Performance of Extension Professionals

Changing situations and developments in agriculture in the 21st century demands extension workers to be equipped with a diverse set of competencies. Extension workers’ ability to adapt, communicate effectively and combine technical expertise with participatory approaches can significantly influence their job performance and ultimately, contribute to the growth and sustainability of the agriculture industry. Hence, an attempt has been made to know the level of need of core skills and competencies required for extension professionals to perform their job effectively. A scale was developed to measure the level of need of the skills and competencies thatan agricultural extension professional requires to perform their tasks. Twelve broad areas of skills and competencies required for agricultural extension professionals were identified and grouped. Professionals presently working in Karnataka State Department of Agriculture, Karnataka State Department of Horticulture and Coffee Board are considered as respondents. The results revealed that soft skills were ranked first, followed by entrepreneurship development skills and communication skills. Planning and designing need based programs, building teamwork skills, agricultural value chain extension, use of modern communication methods and AV aids, use of computer applications, monitoring and evaluation of extension programs, designing training programs, problem solving skills, knowledge on subject matter concepts, motivating farmers, innovativeness and stress management are the individual skills ranked first respectively on the listed twelve broad areas of skills and competencies. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that equipping extension workers with the necessary skills during their undergraduate and postgraduate education is crucial to ensure they are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the agriculture industry. By reorienting and enhancing the curriculum, agricultural universities and institutions can play a significant role in developing competent extension professionals.

A Correlational Study of Two U.S. State Extension Professionals' Behavioral Intentions to Improve Sustainable Food Chains through Precision Farming Practices.

Precision farming provides one of the most important solutions for managing agricultural production to advance global food security. Extending professionals' competencies to promote precision farming practices can increase the adoption rate, ultimately impacting food security. Many studies have addressed barriers to the adoption of precision farming technologies from the farmers' perspective. However, few are available data on the perspectives of extension professionals. Agricultural extension professionals play an important role in innovative agricultural technology adoption. Thus, this study applied four constructs from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model to investigate behavioral intentions to promote precision farming among extension professionals from two extension systems. In total, 102 (N = 102) agricultural extension professionals were surveyed. The results indicated that performance expectancy and social influence were individually significant predictors of extension professional behavioral intentions to promote precision farming technologies. There were no significant differences between the professionals of two extension systems. Gender, age, and years of service did not affect extension professionals' intention to promote precision agriculture technologies. The data suggested the need for training programs to develop advanced competencies to promote agricultural innovation. This study contributes to the future professional development programs for extension professionals on communicating innovations to address food security and sustainability issues.

Identification and Prioritization of Challenges in Accessing ICT Tools by Agricultural Extension Professionals in Northern Districts of West Bengal

The potential of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for agriculture in the form of various knowledge management portals has been harnessed by various agricultural developmental organizations and so on. But still, there is a gap in the rural community's adoption and access to such technology. There are many reasons for this adoption lag, in the case of identifying such focused issues in accessing the ICTs, will be the key to addressing those challenges. In such a resilient backdrop, this article investigates by identifying and prioritising the challenges in accessing ICT tools for sustainable agriculture by agricultural system actors in the northern districts of West Bengal. The present study was conducted in two northern districts of West Bengal viz. Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts. Two hundred respondents included from these two districts were selected randomly for the present study. The sample includes 60 percent of the farmers and 40 percent of extension personnel including scientists from State Agriculture University, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Assistant directors of State Department of Agriculture, input dealers and grassroots-level extension professionals working in various farmers, clubs and NGOs. These respondents were interviewed through a structured, pre-tested interview schedule developed to measure the extent of ICTs usage designed with the help of the online Google forms and offline interview schedule. The obtained data were processed with the help of statistical tools like frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Rank Based Quotient (RBQ). The constraints identified were, ‘lack of training and practical exposure towards ICTs’ (64.8%), followed by ‘high cost of ICT tools (64.55%), ‘insufficient local language information’ (62%), ‘low network connectivity’ (60.90%), ‘unavailability of different ICT tools’ (60.60%), ‘lack of skill in handling ICTs’ (58.65%), ‘lack of confidence in operating ICTs’ (55.40%), ‘high cost of repairing for ICT devices’ (49.40%), ‘irregular power supply’ (37.95%), and ‘lack of awareness of benefits of ICTs’ (36.40%).

The population ecology of sustainable agriculture knowledge networks: insights from California

Sustainable agricultural knowledge networks consist of heterogeneous actors who collaborate and share knowledge to advance the goals of sustainable agriculture. We analyze how the structure of sustainable agriculture knowledge networks is related to the social-ecological context across 57 counties in California. We apply a population ecology approach that identifies variables related to the space, energy, and stability of the social-ecological context in which networks evolve. Using data from a 2016 survey of agricultural outreach and extension professionals, we find four different types of networks at different stages of development, which vary in the centrality of key actors associated with the University of California. The most highly developed networks exist in agriculturally productive counties with diverse crops. The population ecology variables relate differently to the size versus structure of knowledge networks, which implies a need for ambidextrous extension strategies customized to different types of network processes.

Policy Initiatives for Improving Competencies of Agricultural Extension Graduates for Promotion of Agricultural Innovations

Agricultural education and training systems still have some refinement to dofor producing workforce-ready graduates. Even after continuous upgrading once in five years through Deans committee recommendations the existing curricula in Agricultural Universities are getting lots of criticism and still there is a mismatch to meet the demands of the needs of both modern industry employers and those of farmers. To address this lacuna, the present study was conducted in Kolar, Tumkur and Chikkaballapur districts of Karnataka state to identify possible areas according to agricultural extension professionals on the areas training is needed by field agricultural extension for effective promotion of agricultural innovations. A large group of agricultural extension professionals felt that, effective training should be given on techniques to develop long-term extension program plans, establish programming priorities and techniques of in need or problem assessment. Lack of required number of technical and non-technical staff at the field level, political interference and promotion of politically motivated popular subsidy schemes were major hurdles faced by the field extension professionals. The field level extension professionals opined that, more emphasis has to be given to techniques to use formal information gathering, digital communication skills in extension and techniques of evaluation of extension programs on an annual basis.

Motivations and Challenges for Adoption of Organic Grain Production: A Qualitative Study of Iowa Organic Farmers.

Organic grains are essential for the organic food industry. In the U.S., low adoption of organic grain farming has constrained further development of the organic food sector. Organic food industry stakeholders have appealed to producers to increase domestic organic grain production. The U.S. federal government supports research and extension education regarding organic farming. In this context, there is a need for both agricultural researchers and extension professionals to further (1) examine the factors that motivate farmers to adopt organic grain farming and (2) identify the challenges that hinder farmers' adoption of organic grain farming. We conducted 17 in-depth interviews with organic grain farmers in Iowa, USA. By applying multiple social-behavioral theories as part of the analysis and comparing interview results with the literature, we gained insight into the ways in which farmers formed adoption motivations, and we captured the dynamics of the motivations. We specifically identified challenges to adoption that were associated with organic farming operation and management, organic market accessibility, information and inputs availability, social tension, and level of support from the government. These findings shed light on the ways in which farmers' adoption challenges have evolved with institutional, ecological, and technological changes over time and how contemporary research and extension may encourage adoption.

Determinants of Food Insecurity and the Likelihood for Crop Diversification in Rural Pakistan

Small farmers comprise the majority of Pakistan’s agricultural landscape. However, these farmers cannot achieve self-sufficiency with this livelihood, and are facing food security concerns. This study aims to determine the effect of crop diversification on rural food insecurity mitigation. The study area of Punjab has five distinct agroecologizal zones, and 200 households were surveyed in these geographic locations. Data was collected by conducting observations, interviews, and focus group discussions and was analyzed using logistic regression. The FCS and HFIAS were calculated in order to forecast the possibility of crop diversification. The results indicated that over half of the respondents were in their forties, and that the vast majority of the respondents described themselves as small farmers. Moreover, almost half of the farmers did not attend school. FCS was associated with age, land size, financial resources, and crop diversification, but not with HFIAS. The FCS also indicated that the majority of farmers are malnourished. As crop diversity can help farmers increase their food security and profitability, the results of this study may be utilized by public sector agricultural extension professionals and specialists to create policy recommendations which can contribute to the development of food security strategies in the area.

Android application development for identifying maize infested with fall armyworms with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Integrated proposed pest management (TNAU IPM) capsules

Several pests and diseases wreak havoc on maize crops worldwide. Novel and rapid methods for detecting pests and diseases in real-time will make monitoring them and designing effective management measures easier. In the recent past, maize has been imperilled by fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda), which have caused substantial yield losses in maize. This study aimed to create an Android mobile application via DCNN (Deep Convolutional Neural Network)-based AI pest detection system for maize producers. Everyone benefits from the deployment of these CNN models on mobile phones, especially farmers and agricultural extension professionals because it makes them more accessible. Automatic diagnosis of plant pest infestations from captured images through computer vision and artificial intelligence research is feasible for technological advancements. Therefore, early detection of maize fall armyworm (FAW) infestation and providing relevant recommendations in maize could result in intensified maize crop yields. . An Android mobile application was created to identify fall armyworm infection in maize and included the recommendations given by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University proposed Integrated Pest Management (TNAU IPM ) capsules in the mobile app on as to how to deal with such a problem. Digital and novel technology was chosen to address these issues in maize. Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) and transfer learning have recently moved into the realm of just-in-time crop pest infestation detection, following their successful use in a variety of fields. The algorithm accurately detects FAW (S. frugiperda) infected areas on maize with 98.47% training accuracy and 93.47% validation accuracy.

Methods of Rice Technology Adoption Studies in the Philippines and Other Asian Countries: A Systematic Review

Agricultural researchers in developing countries were not able to give much attention on the adoption studies of agricultural technologies until the period of Green Revolution. These technologies are disseminated in rural farming community by agricultural extension professionals to boost farm efficiencies and productivity. This paper presents the systematic review of methods employed by previous researchers in studying agricultural technology adoption with special reference to rice. The review focuses on the study of rice technologies adoption in the Philippines and other related studies conducted by a Filipino author in other countries in the Asian Region. From 391 adoption studies identified, 22 papers were selected and included in the review. These papers were retrieved from Scopus database. This review revealed that papers focused on studying the adoption of rice cultivation practices employed quantitative techniques. Institutional factors were found to critically influence the decision-making of the farmers to adopt production technologies.

Assessment of Digital Technology Adoption and Access Barriers Among Agricultural Service Providers and Agricultural Extension Professionals

HighlightsAgricultural service providers and Extension professionals were surveyed on technology use and barriers.Data privacy and security and hiring qualified IT staff are barriers in the industry.Surveys point to major opportunities for digital agriculture professional development and education. Abstract. As agriculture becomes an increasingly data-driven sector, it is important to understand the technology use and barriers by the service providers who work closely with producers. This is especially important as these individuals can serve as drivers for technology adoption by farmers and ranchers. Although many surveys have looked at technology adoption by producers, little data on agricultural industry service providers exists. Surveys of Extension Professionals (EP) in Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and several categories of Agricultural Service Providers (ASP) in Wisconsin were administered in 2018 to determine satisfaction with internet service and to learn more about information and technology usage and potential barriers to its adoption within the industry. In addition, follow-up informational telephone interviews were conducted with 13 Wisconsin EP. A paper survey was administered to ASP, which had a response rate of 35% (N=462). A similar online survey was administered to EP having an estimated 23% response rate (N=223). The frequency of transmission of data, information, and recommendations was high but specialized for both groups with more frequent use in crop production versus livestock (including dairy). The most commonly-cited barriers associated with the adoption of digital technologies by ASP were related to attracting and hiring well-qualified IT employees, training for both employees and clients, and data security. While data security was a commonly cited barrier, 16% of ASP worked for companies that did not have written policies on data privacy. ASP and EP consider their clients to be adept at using text messages, images, maps, and smartphones. They do not consider their clients to be skilled in their use of digitally accessed and used financial statements, spreadsheets, or laboratory analysis reports. Additional training should be better focused on these areas for ASP and EP which would allow them to be more effective in educating producers and to better realize the value associated with more thoughtful and widespread digital technology adoption. Keywords: Agricultural data, Agricultural service provider, Extension professional, Internet access, Technology adoption, Technology barriers.

Perceived Importance of Core Competencies among Extension Professionals in Nepal

Agricultural systems are evolving globally. Farmers and agri-entrepreneurs are demanding trustworthy and efficient extension and advisory services that they can rely on to improve their farming systems and associated enterprises. In this context, extension professionals are expected to be versatile and be competent in their services. Competency refers to having required knowledge, skills and abilities in both process skills and technical subject matters to effectively deliver assigned services. Competency needs are context specific and dynamic. Thus, it is imperative to periodically examine what competencies extension professionals possess and how they value them. This cross-sectional study sought to examine the perceived importance of key competencies among agricultural extension professionals in Nepal. Extension professionals in Nepal’s public agricultural and livestock development offices and agriculture-based non-governmental organizations comprised the study population. Survey data were collected from August to September 2015 through self-, group-administered, and web-based questionnaire. The respondents rated eight core competencies as important or very important. Their perceptions of the importance of these core competencies significantly differed across their current positions, level of education, age, and experience in extension services but not across their educational institutions, employers, and gender. There is a need to develop extension education curricula integrating these core competencies and providing education and training on these core competencies to extension professionals.

Disaster Management During Tropical Storm Karen: The Story of Trinidad Extension

The purpose of this study was to investigate the weather-related disaster preparedness and response strategies of agricultural extension professionals in Trinidad during Tropical Storm Karen (TSK). Trinidad faces perennial flooding, and Trinidad extension professionals have often been involved in the management of weather-related disasters. TSK was contextualized as a case study, and a qualitative approach was used to investigate the lived experiences of the extension professionals who directly assisted with managing the event. Semi-structured interview data were collected, along with concept maps and participant-rendered drawings. Each interview was compared with the participant’s concept map and drawing, while the constant comparative technique was used to evaluate the interview data among the participants to derive themes. Data were collected remotely using internet platforms due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Findings indicated that disaster preparedness was strategized through field activities, including collecting data and providing disaster advice to clients. Disaster responsiveness was strategized through field actions, primarily through field evaluations for subsidy claims. In addition, related to disaster response, extension professionals faced various challenges in responding to TSK, most notably, the inability to access appropriate transportation. The findings of this study can guide the government of Trinidad and Tobago in bolstering the disaster management strategies of the country, as well as inform regional disaster management plans in other Caribbean countries.

Integrated Pest Management Summit Reveals Barriers, Needs, and Goals for Agricultural Extension

Integrated pest management (IPM) continues to be an area of great importance for agricultural Extension. However, there are barriers to implementation. To advance understanding of current status, barriers, and needs in IPM Extension, we organized a 1-day IPM summit for Oregon State University agricultural Extension faculty. Over 50 faculty attended from various departments and programs. We report on the process and highlight the top barriers, needs, and goals revealed. We hope to stimulate similar meetings among other agricultural Extension professionals and enhance Extension professionals' collective understanding of barriers to IPM to reveal pathways for progress.

Characteristics of climate-smart and commercially astute agricultural extension professionals

ABSTRACT Sixteen of the world's hottest years since 1860 were in the last 17 years. Greenhouse gases cause global warming and climate change (CC). Climate change puts agriculture at a crossroads. The industry must adapt in order to feed a global population projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100. Adapting to CC requires agriculturalists at all levels to devise appropriate mitigation strategies. Business cannot be as usual. Climate change adds complexity to agriculture. To remain relevant, agricultural practitioners must be climate-smart (CS) in order to continue producing adequate, affordable, nutritious and safe food and fibre. Furthermore, agriculture is a business. It involves inputs, outputs, profit, loss, and is tied to the economic factors of production, land, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship. Therefore, the astute Agricultural Extension Professional/s (AEP/s) must be conversant not only with scientific and technical aspects of agriculture, its business and art, but also with emerging CC issues. The AEP must have relevant hard and soft skills that enable him/her to assist farmers adapt. This paper discusses the essential characteristics of a CS and commercially astute AEP in changing climate. Keywords: Extension agent, Climate change, Skills

Use of artificial intelligence in ipm#

Pest management is a major task during the crop production cycle. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a precision tool that employs all control measures (physical, chemical, biological, genetic, mechanical and cultural measures) to reduce the pest population to below the economic injury level. Farmers incur heavy expenses on managing damages and in the process, making farming unprofitable. The evolution of technologies around the Internet of Things is addressing the challenges faced by farmers around the globe. One such advance is using artificial intelligence in addressing challenges in agriculture with a focus on IPM to combat and manage pests and diseases. Identification of pests and diseases needs human expertise, experience and judgment which can be formidable for agricultural extension professionals. To mitigate the paucity of human expertise, artificial intelligence-based automated consultation expertise for the identification of pests and diseases can be useful for providing advisory in remote locations. In this paper, we discuss the overview of artificial intelligence and its application tools especially in pest diagnosis for IPM. There is great potential for AI applications in providing solutions by transferring IPM technologies to farmers in remote locations around the globe.

English

Farmers in Lesotho mostly depend on rain-fed agriculture and are in need of access to agricultural information and knowledge in a timely, complete and quality manner. The traditional practice for delivering agricultural information has mainly relied on agricultural extension staff visiting farmers in order to provide advisory services. Due to the limited number of extension staff and other challenges, the delivery of agricultural extension services through the traditional farm and home visits has been ineffective. This paper presents challenges that the agricultural extension system in Lesotho faces, which necessitate the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a basis for improving access of farmers to extension services. The advent of ICTs has given rise to e-extension, which is the delivery of extension services using web tools that allow online sharing, collaboration and networking. A recent study has revealed that agricultural extension professionals in Lesotho recognize the potential and use of e-extension in the country and are well positioned to embrace its introduction. The paper, therefore, recommends that efforts should be made to gradually introduce e-extension in the country, capitalizing on the existing enthusiasm among extension professionals and lessons of best practice from elsewhere. Key words: Agricultural extension, e-extension, information and communication technology (ICT).

Role Expectations of Agricultural Extension Professionals – A Study in Odisha

The role expectations of the Agricultural extension professionals are the determinant factors in developing competencies to perform their job successfully. A study was therefore conducted with the extension professionals working in the department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Govt. of Odisha during 2018. A questionnaire was developed and finalized after pre-testing which was mailed to 325 extension professionals working in all the 30 districts of Odisha. Only 182 had responded and returned the filled-in questionnaire. The data collected on the scale point of most essential, essential, undecided and not essential were analyzed with the score value of 4,3,2 and 1 respectively. Full support of the beneficiaries and stakeholders, computer and storage facility, documentation, prior arrangement of inputs and materials, regular monitoring and supervision, continuous guidance and expertise, training facilities as well as sufficient funds for demonstration were the pertinent role expectations of the extension professionals for their better job performance. The attributes such as education, experience, training and background of the Agricultural extension professionals had significantly influenced their job performance. The authorities of the state department of Agriculture have to provide facilities as per these expectations utilizing pertinent identified attributes enabling the Agricultural extension professionals to provide better job performance in technology transfer and adoption by the farmers for their sustainable livelihoods.