Agricultural Information Service Research Articles

Agricultural raw materials, information and communications technology and service exports on economic growth in twenty Sub-Saharan countries: A panel vector error correction model approach

Agricultural raw materials, information and communications technology and service exports on economic growth in twenty Sub-Saharan countries: A panel vector error correction model approach

Why mobile phone matters: The role of ICT in promoting farmers’ access to agricultural information and extension services in a tea outgrowing scheme in Tanzania

This article explores the role and effects of mobile phone technologies in ensuring farmers’ access to agricultural information and extension services in a tea outgrowing scheme in Tanzania. Semi-structured interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and Key Informant Interviews were employed to collect the information. The study revealed that the rapid infiltration of mobile phone technologies into Tanzania's rural areas since the late 2000s has simplified the provision of agricultural extension services. Both farmers and extension service workers perceive mobile phone technologies as an essential supplementary mechanism to ensure easy and timely access to agricultural information. In the context of a tea outgrowing scheme, farmers use mobile phone technologies to access information on input distribution, tea collection time, farmers’ meetings, and how to address some agricultural-related challenges independently. Extension service officers also rely on mobile phone technologies for sensitization. The study highlights the importance of complementing traditional and modern extension service mechanisms to ensure farmers’ efficient and timely access to agricultural extension services and information. Mobile phone affordability and its use cost are also a concern when considering improving agricultural extension service mechanisms.

Agricultural Information Needs and Resources of Smallholder Sugarcane Farmers in Swaziland

Abstract The sugar industry is the dominant agricultural sector in Swaziland’s economy, contributing significantly to the gross domestic product. Provision of relevant and timely information to smallholder sugarcane farmers is crucial for them to have a competitive footing with large-scale counterparts and reduce poverty. However, there is limited literature on the information needs and the kind of information communication resources that could make the dissemination of information to farmers efficient and effective. This study thus aims to investigate the information needs and resources of smallholder sugarcane farmers in Swaziland to inform the provision of information services in the sugar industry. It was underpinned by a positivist paradigm and used the survey research method complemented by methodological triangulation to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Data was collected using survey questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, with 168 responses and six interviews conducted. The findings revealed that 71 % of information needs of farmers were primarily in legislative compliance, sugarcane crop husbandry, markets and transport, and financial advice information, however, there were no statistically significant differences between the three mill groups in information needs. The smallholder sugarcane farmers also mostly obtained agricultural information through extension officers, farmer groups, and mobile phones, indicating that required information was mainly accessed through face-to-face interactions. The empirical findings of the study have implications for practice, policy, and theory with respect to guiding the implementation of agricultural information services by information providers in the context of rural farmers in developing countries.

Agricultural Disaster Prevention System: Insights from Taiwan’s Adaptation Strategies

In response to the adverse effects of climate change-induced frequent extreme disasters on agricultural production and supply stability, this study develops a comprehensive agricultural disaster prevention system based on current adaptation strategies for mitigating agricultural meteorological disasters. The primary goal is to enhance disaster preparedness and recovery through three core platforms: a fine-scale weather forecast service system, a crop disaster early warning system, and an agricultural information service platform for disasters. The results show that every major agricultural production township in Taiwan now has dedicated agricultural weather stations and access to refined weather forecasts. Additionally, a disaster prevention calendar for 76 important crops is established, integrating cultivation management practices and critical disaster thresholds for different growth periods. Utilizing this calendar, the crop disaster early warning system can provide timely disaster-related information and pre-disaster prevention assistance to farmers through various information dissemination tools. As a disaster approaches, the agricultural information service platform for disasters provides updates on current crop growth conditions. This service not only pinpoints areas at higher risk of disasters and vulnerable crop types but also offers mitigation suggestions to prevent potential damage. Administrative efficiency is then improved with a response mechanism incorporating drones and image analysis for early disaster detection and rapid response. In summary, the collaborative efforts outlined in this study demonstrate a proactive approach to agricultural disaster prevention. By leveraging technological advancements and interdisciplinary cooperation, the aim is to safeguard agricultural livelihoods and ensure food security in the face of climate-induced challenges.

Agricultural production and food security implications of Covid-19 disruption on small-scale farmer households: Lessons from Kenya

A range of studies have highlighted the negative impacts of Covid-19 disruptions on incomes, food and nutrition security among rural agricultural communities in developing countries. However, knowledge of how such disruptions affect different categories of small-scale farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa is lacking. We used a mixed-method approach to collect data and determine the impacts of Covid-19 on farm input use, agricultural production, access to agricultural information services, and food security among small-scale farmers from Makueni, Nakuru, Siaya, Kakamega, and Bungoma counties in Kenya. A FAO-adapted farm household typology was developed with farm type 3 (wealthiest), farm type 2 (resource-constrained) and farm type 1 (most resource-constrained) farmer categories. Covid-19 related disruptions led to decreased use of improved seeds, fertilizers and access to extension services across the three farmer categories. Farm type 3 farmers recorded the lowest Covid-19 disruption driven reduction in the use of improved seeds and fertilizers, compared to farm type 2 and 1. Contrariwise, farmers increased manure application rates by 33%, with manure-associated expenditure rising by 129% across all counties. Average crop incomes decreased in three of the five study counties, i.e., Kakamega, Nakuru and Siaya, with the strongest decrease observed among farmers in type 1 and 2 households. A lower proportion of type 3 farmers were worried about not having enough food (43% of farmers) compared to type 1 (70%) and type 2 farmers (71%) across Counties. The sale of household assets and livestock commonly used as measures for household wealth implies that such disruptions leave vulnerable farmers poorer and hungrier. The findings propose that policy strategies are needed to recognize heterogenous Covid-19 effects and provide targeted interventions for household types most vulnerable to future disruptions of the agrifood system.

PEST-based Analysis of the Competitive Environment for E-commerce in China's Agriculture

E-commerce in agriculture is an advanced business model that can improve the outstanding contradictions in the market circulation of agricultural goods in China. Chinese agricultural e-commerce is still at the primary development stage of online agricultural business information services. The study uses the PEST analysis tool of competitive intelligence theory, the author analyses the macro-competitive environment of Chinese agricultural e-commerce industry from four perspectives: political, economic, social and technological. The results of the study show that although there are still many shortcomings in the credit system and standardisation of products from agriculture sold online in China, the basic hardware conditions are already in place. The largely conventional ideologies of farmers' users are the biggest barrier to the growth of agricultural e-commerce. Farming-related online shopping enterprises should fully recognise the need for agricultural e-commerce. They should help farmers change their traditional thinking and increase their understanding of agricultural e-commerce in accordance with national agriculture policies.

Perceptions of the Institutional and Support Environment amongst Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs in Laos

Efforts to achieve inclusive and sustainable agricultural-sector growth in developing economies will benefit from agricultural entrepreneurship (agripreneurship) by young farmers. However, challenges that hinder transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture remain. A better understanding of enablers and constraints that young farmers experience can facilitate the development of an enabling environment for sustainably transitioning from subsistence into commercial agriculture. We interviewed 74 young agricultural entrepreneurs (agripreneurs) in Laos, a country with a young and highly rural population, to explore their perceptions of institutions and support functions that enable or limit agripreneurship. Respondents reported that institutions and support functions have generally improved to make agripreneurship easier than before, with infrastructure, logistics, and new platforms for information sharing, banking, marketing, and delivery identified as specific improvements. However, agripreneurs identified weaknesses in the nature, scope, and quality of agricultural information and extension services that limit their performance; difficulties in accessing loans with favorable conditions, which discourages investment; opaque and costly payments and red tape processes that frustrate business establishment, operations, and regulatory compliance; and a lack of targeted policy actions towards enabling youth agripreneurship, which leaves youth feeling unsupported. Improvements in infrastructure, promotion of agri-careers, and more transparency of taxation, registration, and administration fees/systems are recommended.

Effectiveness of Agricultural Information and Communication Center for Disseminating Agricultural Information

Nowadays, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are playing important role in communicating agricultural information. In this connection, the government of Bangladesh established a number of Agricultural Information and Communication Centers (AICC) at the Union level to disseminate agricultural information. The purposes of the study were to determine the effectiveness of AICC for disseminating agricultural information and to explore the contribution of the selected characteristics of the AICC member farmers to the effectiveness of AICC. Data were collected from 90 randomly selected farmers of nine Upazillas of Faridpur district under Dhaka division. Face-to-face interview followed by pretested structured questionnaire was held with the selected farmers to gather data. The survey revealed that an overwhelming majority (80%) of the farmers perceived medium effectiveness of AICC, while 7.8% of them perceived low and 12.2% of them perceived high effectiveness of AICC for disseminating agricultural information. The effectiveness of AICC was influenced by the intensity of use of ICT, length of experience to use ICT and ICT using confidence. Therefore, responsible organizations such as Agriculture Information Service (AIS) with the help of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and other advisory service-providing organizations should take action to enhance the effectiveness of AICC.
 Vol. 9, No. 3, December 2022: 259-265

Agricultural information exchange and service delivery within social networks: evidence from Uganda’s banana value chain actors

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study assesses the available networks and linkages for effective information exchange and service delivery among actors in the banana value chain and develops a set of specific recommendations for policy, institutional and human resource development. Methodology: We used an exploratory case study design using Focus group discussions and Key informant interviews for data collection. Data were analysed using Social Network Analysis (SNA) to establish the actors who were influential in facilitating information exchange and service delivery in the banana value chain. Findings: We identified farmer groups and regulatory bodies as the most influential actors in facilitating information exchange and service delivery. However, they were more recipients than determinants of information and services. Network density results (0.256–0.283) show low cohesiveness among the actors, implying that less than 30% of the potential linkages are utilised for information exchange and service delivery. Practical implications: Extension and other practitioners should aim at network building taking advantage of existing knowledge and service linkages with the farmers as mechanisms to help expand and sustain their last-mile reach. Theoretical implications: SNA is relevant for assessing the contribution of various actors in the exchange of appropriate information and services. It recognises potential networks which hinder or contribute to information and service delivery among the actors. Originality: This paper contributes to literature on systems approaches and institutional development to address the challenges of information dissemination and service delivery among the actors in the banana value chain.

Impact of Farmers’ Climate Risk Perception and Socio-Economic Attributes on Their Choice of ICT-Based Agricultural Information Services: Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

In Pakistan, research on information and communication technologies-based agricultural information services (ICTbAIS) have gained significant attention owing to the overwhelming population of smallholder farmers (whose information needs are unable to be met by the conventional extension services) and the increasing incidence of climatic risk. This study is, therefore, conducted in the Punjab province of Pakistan (mixed cropping region) to explore farmers’ use of ICTbAIS and understand the relationship between farmers’ socio-economic attributes, risk perception, and choices of ICTbAIS. A sample of 480 farmers was drawn using a multistage sampling approach, and farmers were interviewed face-to-face. To analyze the dataset, a multivariate Probit (MVP) model was employed. The results show that Television (TV) and mobile-based advisory and mobile-based consultations appeared to be the most used ICTbAIS, followed by radio and internet-based advisory. The estimates of the MVP model showed that farmers’ age, education, farmland, tenancy status, off-farm income, and climate risk perception are significant determinants of their choices of ICTbAIS. Based on our results, we suggest policymakers and extension agencies to improve the content of ICTbAIS and make efforts for the awareness and training of farmers regarding the use of contemporary ICTs.

Research on the processing method of multi-source heterogeneous data in the intelligent agriculture cloud platform

Abstract With the development of big data and blockchain technology, a large amount of multi-source heterogeneous data has been accumulated in the agricultural field by before, during and after production. Agricultural information service systems are often targeted at specific regions, specific applications and specific data resources. Due to the lack of effective analysis and refining, the conversion efficiency of data resources into useful information is too low, resulting in contradiction between the continuous enrichment of agricultural data resources and the relative lack of agricultural information services. Therefore, in view of the multi-source heterogeneous characteristics of agricultural data and the specific business needs of different agricultural scenarios, the intelligent processing method of agricultural data is analysed, and a heuristic algorithm based on K-Means limited clustering number is proposed to judge the accuracy of abnormal data processing. By inputting test sample data for testing, the algorithm has improved accuracy by nearly 30% compared to traditional K-Means.

Utilization of Agricultural Information by Poultry Farmers in Enhancing Productivity: The Case of Menengai West, Nakuru County, Kenya

Agriculture in Kenya has been one of the backbones of economic development in the country. Poultry farmers play a bigger role in contributing to this development. Poultry farmers utilize information for various reasons including; poultry disease management, protection, shelter, production, feeding and nutrition, hatching, marketing, breeds and breeding, and competition with crops. In Menengai West Location, Rongai Sub County, Nakuru, underutilization of agricultural information is seen as the possible cause of low productivity in poultry farming. The aim of this research was to evaluate the utilization of agricultural information by poultry farmers with a view of establishing challenges faced and proposing ways of improving production. The specific objectives of the study were; to find out the uses of agricultural information by poultry farmers; to identify factors influencing the use of certain agricultural information; to find out the awareness level of existing agricultural information by poultry farmers; to determine the effectiveness of agricultural information on poultry production and to establish the challenges faced by farmers in utilizing agricultural information. The study will benefit poultry farmers in Menengai West by enhancing utilization of agricultural information hence increasing productivity. The target population was 517 poultry farmers and the sample size for this research was 217 poultry farmers derived from the Saunder’s table of sampling. Two extension officers were also targeted. A pilot study was conducted in Njoro Sub County. The study was based on Eugene’s information society theory of 1979. Questionnaires and structured interviews were used for data collection. Television, radio and mobile phones were the commonly used sources of agricultural information in provision of poultry information. Inadequate agricultural extension officers and inadequate funds were major challenges faced by poultry farmers in utilization of agricultural information. The study concludes that there are gaps that exist in utilization of agricultural information. The researcher therefore recommended that the county government should employ more extension officers within Menengai West in order to reach out to poultry farmers, Agricultural resource centers should be set up by Nakuru County Government in rural areas to enable farmers in the location access agricultural information easily and within reach, establish partnership with agricultural institutions and county government to disseminate agricultural information and access veterinary services and the government need to improve mobile network connectivity in the area.

Research on the Construction of Comprehensive Evaluation Index System of Agricultural Information Service

Research on the Construction of Comprehensive Evaluation Index System of Agricultural Information Service

Research on Semantic Model of Information Sharing Based on Cognition

In view of the current demand of heterogeneous, cross domain, many service platforms, wide distribution and low-cost resource sharing platform construction of agricultural public welfare information service resources, this paper puts forward a set of standardized and orderly data acquisition and interpretation sharing methods. Methods combined with the characteristics of multi domain resource sharing, metadata semantic modeling based on cognition is proposed to establish the mapping between metadata cognition and metadata semantics to resource description model, build a basic framework of resource sharing, extract the minimum core metadata required for resource sharing, define the basic rules for the existence of resource sharing data, and give the resource sharing description model. At the same time, in order to clearly explain the semantic annotation information in the model, the construction method of shared resource semantics is introduced. In order to reduce the difficulty of resource description, sharing and publishing on heterogeneous platforms, a shared resource description tool based on "resource sharing semantic description model" is introduced. This method combines the advantages of existing methods. At the same time, through the production of description tools and the introduction of semantics, the development difficulty and development volume of each service platform are reduced, the development cost is saved, the data sharing efficiency is improved, and the requirements of low-cost, cross domain, light dependence, resource readability and machine solvability for the construction of agricultural public welfare information service resource sharing platform are better solved.

Mobile phone-assisted agricultural extension services: User competency and usage frequency in eastern Ghana

Adoption studies have mainly focused on econometric and quantitative modelling that usually assume smallholder farmers competently adopt agricultural technologies. This study provides novel insights on user competency and frequency of usage of mobile telephony for agricultural extension services among smallholder farmers and agricultural extension agents (AEAs) and key factors that impede the adoption process. The study examined users’ competencies and mobile phone usage frequency for access and delivery of agricultural extension services in Eastern Ghana. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 95 AEAs and 330 smallholder farmers in five districts of the Eastern region of Ghana and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression analyses were performed to analyse the data. Results showed substantial differences between AEAs and smallholder farmers’ competency in the use of mobile phones for agricultural extension services. Socio-demographic characteristics of smallholder farmers and AEAs correlated with usage frequency of mobile phones for access to extension services and delivery. Educational level, amount of weekly expenditure of money on mobile phone use, mobile phone network quality, income level, and age of both AEAs and smallholder farmers had positive and significant correlations with frequency of usage of mobile phones. User competency differentially impacts the frequency of mobile phone use in agricultural extension services between AEAs and smallholders. High call tariffs and access to recharge cards are major challenges in using mobile phones for agricultural extension in the study areas. The study shows components of the adoption theory of compatibility, and complexity where an innovation fits within the socio-cultural framework and perceived difficulty of use. Thus, the frequent use of voice calls is indicative of early stages of the diffusion process and may diversify into other applications in the future. Farmer-based organisations should be resourced to support training of farmers to use mobile phones to improve access to agricultural information dissemination. Integrating voice-based agricultural information services (IVRs) into the current SMS-based agricultural extension services in Ghana could potentially boost extension service delivery to smallholder farmers in the Eastern region and across the country. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture may partner with key stakeholders and mobile service providers to offer hands-on capacity building to smallholder farmers and AEAs in video calling/conferencing, multimedia service, and social media to enhance their competencies for improved agricultural extension services.

Smallholder farmers’ willingness to pay for access to agricultural market information in Tanzania

ABSTRACT Introducing user access charges to smallholder farmers accessing agricultural market information is considered as a strategy of financing operations of agricultural market information services. This research studied smallholders' willingness to pay for access charges as a strategy of sustaining information provision operations. Using questionnaires, data were collected from smallholders, randomly selected from three regions in Tanzania. Econometric models were used for data analysis. The Probit model indicated that factors that determine mobile phone use by smallholders included age, mobile phone use knowledge, reasons for growing crops, channels to available markets, and changes in farming practices. The Ordered Probit model indicated that road condition to markets, changing farming practices, and awareness on agricultural market information usefulness determined smallholders' willingness to pay for access charges. The Censored Tobit model indicated that the premium smallholders are willing to pay depends on their mobile phone use knowledge, farming techniques practiced, changes in farming practices, bargaining ability, and awareness on agricultural market information usefulness. To boost production, smallholders need to develop capabilities in different farming practices. For best information provisions, private sector can provide platform and resources needed for platform management while the government can ensure conducive environment for agricultural marketing and of information dissemination.

Strategies of Extension Service Providers To Meet the Information Needs of the Farmers

The role of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) is yet to be fully realized to receive its full potential benefits in agricultural information dissemination services. The present study is undertaken to enhance agricultural knowledge and minimize the information gaps between farmers’ needs and new technologies. It reviews recent ICT initiatives in agriculture and farmers access to agricultural information services in Bangladesh. The role of ICT on farmers enhanced agricultural production is also discussed in the paper. The current research proves that agriculture information is not only for libraries, research stations, and national and international agricultural database. Agriculture information services are to be provided by the Government, NGO, private organizations, agricultural research organizations, and advisory centers. The data were collected from questionnaire and interviews and they were coded, decoded, and interpreted in descriptive statistics through tables, graphs, and chart. The findings were arranged in separate sections with respective manners. This study contributes to the field of agricultural information dissemination systems of Bangladesh. It significantly elicits strong relationship between the use of ICT and farmers’ enhanced production led income. It was concluded with recommendations for the information providers, researchers, policy makers, and stakeholders for making extension services more effective. SAARC J. Agric., 19(1): 249-258 (2021)

SPATIAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMMES IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

The paper examines the relevance of geospatial maps and technics in execution of livelihood support projects among rural poor. Previous attempts towards driving the poor along prosperity pathways in Nigeria have failed because of incorrect deployment of interventions in time and space. Global positioning systems and Geographical information systems were employed in this study to provide insight to the challenges faced by previous livelihood support projects in the country while also providing a robust spatial decision support system for geographical targeting of interventions to vulnerable households. The study selected 1,459 households from the 42,000 households adopted for the Feed the Future Project in 3 northern States namely; Sokoto, Kebbi States and the Federal Capital Territory. Acquired survey data were converted into GIS maps so as to expose hidden trends in the characteristics of target population and to suggest the best options for interventions. The data were subjected to spatial analysis such as simple distance analysis. The outcomes revealed 86% of sampled households to be largely below the poverty line. This is mainly due to poor access to facilities like health care, markets, good roads, agricultural inputs, agricultural information and advisory services. 10 % of children’s absolute score of Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) revealed acute malnutrition. 42 % of the household however now have stronger safety nets as a result of the interventions. The study found Spatial Information technology highly useful in social intervention project as the one by the Feed the Future project

Economic assessment of maize (Zea mays L.) – Spinach (Basella alba L.) intercropping system for improving the livelihood of smallholders’ in South-Asia

Economic assessment of maize (Zea mays L.) – Spinach (Basella alba L.) intercropping system for improving the livelihood of smallholders’ in South-Asia

Agriculture Innovation Strategy to Support Food Security in Padang Pariaman District, West Sumatera Province

Public service can be defined as providing services (serving) the needs of people or communities who have an interest in accordance with predetermined basic rules and procedures. Public services view the public as a service target so that they are expected to be able to provide the best dedication in serving a more selective and educative public, as well as managing public policies run by the public bureaucracy. In order to create this, an application of innovation is needed. Innovation is an application or an effort to bring new ideas into implementation with a fairly large change of steps, lasts quite a long time and is quite general in scale. Padang Pariaman Regency is one of the rice producers in West Sumatra Province. Not only that, Padang Pariaman also has agricultural potential such as food crops, plantations, and so on. The agricultural sector is a sector that is able to survive and is utilized by the government to overcome the global economic crisis. For this reason, in addition to making innovations related to health and administration, the West Sumatra Provincial Government is focusing on increasing public service innovation in agriculture. This study aims to identify innovations in the West Sumatra Provincial Government related to improving public services within the Government. This research uses descriptive quantitative method. As a result, the Padang Pariaman Regency Government can improve food security, improve agricultural market information services, farm business administration, and increase plantation yields, which can facilitate and improve the lives of farmers. Suggestions for increasing public service innovation in the agricultural sector of Padang Pariaman Regency are expected that the Government can continue to evaluate the innovations that have been implemented.