Back to Library

Options and Strategies for Information and Communication Technologies within Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services

Published by:
Document
Download
Publication date
18/03/2013
Number of Pages
29
Language:
English
Type of Publication:
Working Papers & Briefs
Focus Region:
Global
Focus Topic:
Information Technologies
Type of Risk:
Logistical & infrastructural
Commodity:
Crops
Fisheries & Aquaculture
Livestock
Author
Karen Vignare
Organization
Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services

This discussion paper will cover the important role of ICT in the provision of extension and advisory services (EAS). EAS have been defined as “the dissemination of expert agriculture knowledge and practices” (Toyama, 2011). The communication from extension and advisory services is complex because it comes from many sources — government, universities, NGOs, private sector companies — and it involves not just information but hands-on communication. Many of the farmers who need to be served in developing countries are illiterate. The information conveyed through extension consists of data (information), knowledge (simple skills), training (advanced skills and techniques) and education (where use of information requires critical thinking).