Applying agriculture extension Part 2

Challenges exist to using ICTs in agriculture, such as: erratic power supplies; fluctuating networks; high costs of ICT infrastructure; low incomes of rural farmers; lack of policies to enhance ICT development in rural areas; and a lack of necessary skills to use the technologies. Despite such problems, opportunities abound in terms of adoption of novel agricultural practices promoted through ICTs, and more farmers in the ACP region have developed their ICT literacy via extension training, increasing the use of such technologies. Further, ICTs are considered to be transforming agricultural extension through enabling greater access to text, graphics, audio and video files in an integrated manner 1.2.2 Demonstrate Digital Technology 1.2.3 Practicing Digital Technology The Ministry of Science and Higher Education with support from the World Bank has drafted a National Digital Skills Country Action Plan, which for the next 10 years seeks to equip students in higher educational institutions with the relevant digital skills to improve their employability. Digital skills courses will be introduced at the intermediate and advanced levels in all technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes. Computer engineering, computer science, information systems and related programmes will be supported in about 33 public universities across the country. The action plan will also provide supportive ICT infrastructure, smart classrooms and virtual laboratories. Microsoft through the Education Transformation Agreement has also collaborated with the Ministry of Education to improve ICT related competencies in Schools. 1.2.4 Apply Digital Technology Digital Technology can help with the day-to-day management of farms and improve traceability, security and automation. Its application in the agricultural sector facilitates information exchange, monitoring and evaluation of different activities. It is necessary to develop a National ICT policy to promote and facilitate extensive use of ICT in key sectors including agriculture. One of its key strategies is to design and implement computerized information systems and applications for the agriculture sector; an essential driver of anticipated growth in digital agriculture 1.2.5 Maintain and Manage Digital Technology Support programmer have to be initiated to improve digital skills and employment of labor. To maintain and mange the use of digital technology concerned individuals and organizations should collaborate with each other. For example, Microsoft Africa has collaborated with Gebeya Inc., a Pan-African Ed Tech company, to launch a virtual skills lab to build digital skills capacities and to increase the employability of youth. This is expected to provide apprenticeship-based training to 200 African software engineers over a period of six months. The government also partnered with the Netherlands through the ongoing CASCAPE project to build youth capacity to scale up evidence-based best practices for agricultural production in Ethiopia 1.3. The role of digital technology in agricultural extension services Over time, the permeation of ICTs into agricultural extension practices has provided a platform for extension workers and farmers to communicate from afar, and to enhance the provision of information which in turn enhances farmers’ knowledge and new technologies. With greater access to such information, farmers are able to improve their production, incomes and standards of living 1.3.5 Enhance Technology Adoption in Agriculture Technology adoption refers to the process of accepting, integrating, and using repeatedly new technology in society. Adoption is a process of deciding to apply an innovation and continue to use it. The process follows several stages, usually categorized by the groups of people who use that technology. The technology adoption lifecycle is a description of customer behavior related to the acceptance of a new product or feature, which is often broken into innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority and laggards. There is time gap or difference between farmers for the first time become aware of innovation and make a decision to adopt it. Along the time gap farmers are expected to pass through some steps and stages. Steps of the adoption process Awareness: Is the stage where farmers for the first time become aware of the existence of the innovation. It is important to give information for the farmers about the existence of something. In this case public extension method has vital importance with least cost and high coverage. Interest The individual develop the interest to know more about the innovation. Farmers like to hear and read more about the innovation; hence development workers try to provide more information to the farmers. Group and individual extension methods can be use at this stage reject itInterest The individual develop the interest to know more about the innovatin.