Article,

Diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies in communication of agricultural information among agricultural researchers and extension workers in Kenya

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South African Journal of Library & Information Science, 71 (3): 234-246 (December 2005)M3: Article; Accession Number: 20486948; Kiplang'at, Joseph 1; Email Address: jkngetich@yahoo.co.uk Ocholla, Dennis N. 2; Email Address: docholla@pan.uzulu.ac.za; Affiliation: 1: Moi University, School of Information Sciences Department of Library , Records Management and Information Studies, P.O. Box 3900, Eldoret, Kenya 2: University of Zululand Department of Library and Information Science P.O. Private Bag ×1001, Kwadlangezwa 3886, South Africa; Source Info: 2005, Vol. 71 Issue 3, p234; Subject Term: DIFFUSION; Subject Term: INFORMATION technology; Subject Term: AGRICULTURAL informatics; Subject Term: RURAL development; Subject Term: SURVEYS; Subject Term: AGRICULTURE -- Research; Subject Term: FARMERS; Subject Term: ELECTRONIC information resources; Subject Term: KENYA; NAICS/Industry Codes: 541712 Reseach and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology); NAICS/Industry Codes: 925120 Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development; Number of Pages: 13p; Illustrations: 2 charts; Document Type: Article.

Abstract

The paper reports on the findings of a study that investigated the diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in communication of agricultural information among agricultural researchers and extension workers in Kenya. The study focused on the public agricultural sector and covered the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD). A survey research method, comprising a self-completed questionnaire and a structured interview schedule was utilized to gather data from the respondents who comprised of 159 agricultural researchers, 138 extension workers and 59 key informants. This was supplemented by observation and document review. It was found out that KARI and MoARD had adopted a wide variety of ICT tools and services in an effort to facilitate information sharing and exchange among agricultural researchers, extension workers, farmers and other actors involved in research and extension. These ranged from modern ICTs based on digital information and traditional ICTs based largely on analogue information waves. The ICT models adopted addressed the different kinds of information needs and communication problems encountered by agricultural researchers and extension workers. However, it was observed that despite the efforts to expand and modernize ICTs in the agricultural sector, its growth had been hampered by a number of constraints and challenges which require the intervention and interaction of all the stakeholders in the agricultural and ICT sector and also involvement of the government. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR; Copyright of South African Journal of Library & Information Science is the property of Forum Press International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts)

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