Tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension: an emerging innovation agenda

Agricultural extension in the Global South can benefit greatly from the use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT). Yet, despite two decades of promising experiences, this potential is not fully realized. Here, we review the relevant research literature to inform future investmen...

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Main Authors: Steinke, Jonathan, Etten, Jacob van, Müller, Anna, Ortíz Crespo, Berta, Gevel, Jeske M.J, van de, Silvestri, Silvia, Priebe, Jan
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Informa UK Limited 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/110010
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author Steinke, Jonathan
Etten, Jacob van
Müller, Anna
Ortíz Crespo, Berta
Gevel, Jeske M.J, van de
Silvestri, Silvia
Priebe, Jan
author_browse Etten, Jacob van
Gevel, Jeske M.J, van de
Müller, Anna
Ortíz Crespo, Berta
Priebe, Jan
Silvestri, Silvia
Steinke, Jonathan
author_facet Steinke, Jonathan
Etten, Jacob van
Müller, Anna
Ortíz Crespo, Berta
Gevel, Jeske M.J, van de
Silvestri, Silvia
Priebe, Jan
author_sort Steinke, Jonathan
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Agricultural extension in the Global South can benefit greatly from the use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT). Yet, despite two decades of promising experiences, this potential is not fully realized. Here, we review the relevant research literature to inform future investments into agricultural information services that harness the full potential of digital media. We describe a recently emerging innovation agenda that is, in part, a response to the eventual failure of many new agro-advisory initiatives. One important cause of failure has been a focus on pushing certain technologies, rather than responding to the particular communication challenges of potential users. To avoid such bias in designing new services, the new innovation agenda rests on two major foundations: strong user-centredness and problem-orientation. In our review, we first describe how user-centred design methods help in specifying both problems and (digital) solutions in agricultural extension. To inform responses to the communication challenges defined by that analysis, we then describe eight emerging aspects of using ICT for development, and how they can address common deficiencies of agricultural extension. Practical examples from the literature highlight the possibilities and limitations of these innovation directions. Beyond digital design, however, technological innovation requires enabling institutions.
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spelling CGSpace1100102025-11-12T05:42:35Z Tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension: an emerging innovation agenda Steinke, Jonathan Etten, Jacob van Müller, Anna Ortíz Crespo, Berta Gevel, Jeske M.J, van de Silvestri, Silvia Priebe, Jan agricultural extension digital technology participatory approaches innovation adoption extensión agrícola tecnología digital enfoques participativos Agricultural extension in the Global South can benefit greatly from the use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT). Yet, despite two decades of promising experiences, this potential is not fully realized. Here, we review the relevant research literature to inform future investments into agricultural information services that harness the full potential of digital media. We describe a recently emerging innovation agenda that is, in part, a response to the eventual failure of many new agro-advisory initiatives. One important cause of failure has been a focus on pushing certain technologies, rather than responding to the particular communication challenges of potential users. To avoid such bias in designing new services, the new innovation agenda rests on two major foundations: strong user-centredness and problem-orientation. In our review, we first describe how user-centred design methods help in specifying both problems and (digital) solutions in agricultural extension. To inform responses to the communication challenges defined by that analysis, we then describe eight emerging aspects of using ICT for development, and how they can address common deficiencies of agricultural extension. Practical examples from the literature highlight the possibilities and limitations of these innovation directions. Beyond digital design, however, technological innovation requires enabling institutions. 2021-11-02 2020-10-29T08:43:25Z 2020-10-29T08:43:25Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/110010 en Open Access application/pdf Informa UK Limited Steinke, J.; van Etten, J.; Müller, A.; Ortiz-Crespo, B.; van de Gevel, J.; Silvestri, S.; Priebe, J. (2020) Tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension: an emerging innovation agenda. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 17 p. ISSN: 1473-5903
spellingShingle agricultural extension
digital technology
participatory approaches
innovation adoption
extensión agrícola
tecnología digital
enfoques participativos
Steinke, Jonathan
Etten, Jacob van
Müller, Anna
Ortíz Crespo, Berta
Gevel, Jeske M.J, van de
Silvestri, Silvia
Priebe, Jan
Tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension: an emerging innovation agenda
title Tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension: an emerging innovation agenda
title_full Tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension: an emerging innovation agenda
title_fullStr Tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension: an emerging innovation agenda
title_full_unstemmed Tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension: an emerging innovation agenda
title_short Tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension: an emerging innovation agenda
title_sort tapping the full potential of the digital revolution for agricultural extension an emerging innovation agenda
topic agricultural extension
digital technology
participatory approaches
innovation adoption
extensión agrícola
tecnología digital
enfoques participativos
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/110010
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