Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have had a major impact on global food system practices by improving knowledge dissemination and fostering innovation in extension services. For example, when I was working in Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi I saw how mobile phones significantly improved farmers' access to market prices, weather forecasts, and agricultural techniques, leading to increased yields and better decision-making. This transformation was the purpose behind a study I conducted with several amazing collaborators to develop an empirical instrument to assess the capacity of extension networks to use ICTs effectively. By mapping out critical factors like accessibility, support, and perception, the study provides a framework for understanding how ICTs can be better integrated into agricultural networks globally.
Through a scale development process, and as a follow up to previous context setting work, we identified six primary factors associated with ICT capacity in food system extension services:
Integration of ICTs: Assessing how well ICTs are integrated into existing extension network operations, highlighting the need for incorporation into existing processes.
ICT Accessibility: The ease with which network members can access ICT resources is critical for ensuring equitable technology distribution and use.
Use and Support of ICTs: The extent to which network members use ICT tools and the level of support provided by the extension network for this use - the practical backing for technology within the network.
ICT Logistics: The practical aspects of ICT deployment, including infrastructure, maintenance, and troubleshooting, underlining the logistical groundwork for effective ICT use.
Promotion of ICTs: The efforts taken by extension networks to advocate for ICT use, essential for fostering an environment where technology adoption is encouraged.
Perception of ICTs: Capturing the overall attitude towards ICTs within networks, which can significantly influence the willingness to adopt and integrate new technologies.
These factors underscore the complex approach needed for ICT integration in food system extension networks. It involves a interconnections between accessibility, logistics, advocacy, and perceptions that can either facilitate or hinder the adoption of these essential tools. Based on the results, we recommend extension networks employ a structured top-down approach, where network leaders not only endorse but also actively integrate ICT use into extension activities, enhancing visibility and demonstrating practical benefits. Through this, extension networks can advance their communication strategies, streamline operations, and hopefully improve the impact of their outreach efforts in the global food system. I've included the full article below if you would like to learn more. Please be sure to share your insights in the comments section.
Lamm, K. W., Lamm, A. J., Davis, K., Sanders, C. E., & Powell, A. (2021). Information and communication technology use capacity within extension networks: Development and preliminary validation of an empirical scale. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 28(4), 15-31. https://doi.org/10.4148/2831-5960.1001
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