The role of ICT in agricultural Knowledge Communication in ATA: The case of Agricultural Information Service Hotline (8028) or the IVR/SMS system
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2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Information and Communication Technology is believed to play a vital role in disseminating knowledge and information and benefits farmers to have access to up to date knowledge and information. This paper explores the opportunities that ICT brings to agricultural knowledge communication in Ethiopia, with special focus on the Agricultural Information Service Hotline in terms of disseminating relevant and timely information to the target beneficiaries. The study was guided by three basic research questions and, Roger’s Diffusion of innovation theory as a theoretical framework. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed in the study. Quantitative data was collected from 50 purposely selected smallholder farmers using questionnaires, while qualitative data were gathered from ATA Agricultural and ICT experts and MoA agricultural expert. The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and Percentages. Tables and charts were used to present the findings.
The findings of the study showed that in the study area Agricultural extension workers or DAs served as the main source of agricultural information (82%), followed by radio. Radio was mentioned as the main sources of information by 40% of the respondents; they reached the stage of confirmation by continuing to use the technology to get agricultural advices.
The study found out that, the Ethiopian Agriculture Transformation Agency implemented an IVR/SMS system that disseminates agronomic advice to the farmers/ development agents (DA) for free but the practice is still in an infant stage.
The findings of the study also showed that due to lack awareness and exposure, the Hotline is not fully utilized by the farmers but they reflected their interest to use the system in the future. The study recommended that all concerned stake holders in the agricultural sector should be involved in the whole process of knowledge management including awareness creation in order to get benefit out of it.
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agricultural Knowledge