Adapting to the pandemic: Appraisal of methods for online agricultural technology transfer in the context of COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

Technological changes and the adoption of improved agricultural techniques are important components in the development of any agrarian community. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented disruptions to global food systems, highlighting the need for innovative and resilient approaches to agricultural technology transfer. As governments worldwide implemented lockdowns and social distancing measures, traditional face-to-face extension services were severely impacted, exacerbating the existing knowledge gap among farmers. Usage of online media is the key option for the extension personnel as well as farmers for effective agricultural technology transfer during this pandemic situation. Agricultural technology transfer methods refer to the techniques used by an extension system for imparting agricultural information to the farming community. Information exchange links improved cognition and knowledge for all of the technologies and increased adoption of innovative technologies (Shikuku, 2019) [7] . Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, digital agriculture tools have enabled smallholder farmers to continue receiving advisory, acquire much-needed financing, receive inputs for their farms and identify new markets for their products (Arathoon et al., 2021) [2] . Technology has almost taken every part of our life and is considered as pathbreaker. Even users from the remotest part of the world can access and learn updated learning material through e-learning portals (Joshi and Dewangan, 2021) [4] . The choice of method depends on various factors such as the tenure system in the area, community organization and availability of resources (Anandajayasekeram et al., 2008) [1] . Various stakeholders such as extensions, research organizations and development partners continue to play innovative roles in transferring new technology to agricultural producers but the change is very slow, limited and incomplete (Badiane, 2014) [3] . In response, agricultural extension systems rapidly adapted to the new reality, leveraging digital platforms to facilitate online technology transfer. This shift has enabled extension personnel to continue disseminating critical agricultural information, advising farmers on best practices, and supporting their decision-making processes despite physical distancing constraints. This study aims to investigate the methods adopted by farmers and extension personnel for online technology transfer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology

The study was conducted in Kerala during 2021-22 among the farmers who received online training and extension personnel who conducted training. The farmers who had undergone online training organized by public extension agencies such as Kerala Agricultural University and State Department of Agriculture constituting a total of 100 farmers were selected randomly. Also, 50 extension officials: 25 each from KAU and Department of www.extensionjournal.com Agriculture, who had conducted online training for farmers were selected randomly. A total of 150 respondents comprising 100 farmers and 50 extension personnel, constitute the total sample size. The ex-post facto design was employed for the study. Different digital devices, digital platforms and web applications used by the farmers as well as extension personnel were identified based on the interaction and discussion with the respondents during the data collection using the questionnaire. The responses obtained were recorded on a five-point continuum scale viz., most often, often, sometimes, rarely and never were assigned scores of 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. Distribution of respondents based on the frequency of use of online methods was analyzed using percentage analysis.

Results and Discussion

Methods adopted for online technology transfer Various online methods have been used to transmit agricultural information to farmers. Different methods adopted by farmers and extension personnel for gaining agricultural information and transfer of agricultural technology include digital devices, digital platforms and digital applications.

Online methods used by farmers a. Digital devices used by farmers

Digital devices are those devices that can receive, process and send digital information such as mobile phones, laptop, computers and tablets. Distribution of farmers based on the frequency of use of digital devices are presented in Table 1. The results presented in table 1 reveal the details of various digital devices used by farmers. The table shows that smartphone was the most common digital device used by all the respondents. Panda et al. (2019) [6] found that 90 percent of the farmers have access to mobile phones. That could be the reason why the respondents most often used smartphones for online agricultural technology transfer. 22 percent of the respondents indicated that they sometimes use a laptop to access information. Tablet and desktops were the least used digital devices by the farmers.

b. Digital platforms used by farmers

Digital platforms are the digital space that provides facilities for users to interact digitally. Distribution of farmers based on the frequency of use of different digital platforms are presented in table 2. The reason for preferring Google Meet might be that it offers a more user-friendly interface which makes the users comfortable while attending online classes and trainings.

c. Digital applications used by farmers

Digital applications are any application software that can be used in a mobile phone, computer, laptop or tablet. These can be accessed from any digital device with internet connection. Distribution of farmers according to the use of digital applications are detailed in Table 4. Among the digital applications, 57 percent of the respondents most often used WhatsApp followed by YouTube (25%) for agricultural technology transfer. The reason for selecting these applications for agricultural www.extensionjournal.com technology transfer might be their popularity and ease of use compared to other digital applications.

Online methods used by extension personnel a. Digital devices used by extension personnel

Distribution of extension personnel based on the frequency of use of digital devices are presented in table 5. Analysis of table 5 reveals that smartphones were used most often by 62 percent of the extension personnel. 46 percent of the respondents indicated that they most often use a laptop for taking online training and classes for farmers. A combination of smartphones and laptops has also been used often by most extension personnel for online agricultural technology transfer. Desktop and tablets were the least used digital devices among extension personnel also.

b. Digital platforms used by extension personnel

Distribution of extension personnel based on the frequency of use of digital platforms are presented in Table 6. Data from table 6 reveals that Google Meet was used most often by majority of the respondents (64%), followed by Zoom (16%). Majority of the respondents rarely used Webex, Microsoft teams and KAU MOOC. Distribution according to the frequency of use of Google Meet and Zoom by extension personnel is given in Table 7. The findings regarding the different online methods used by extension personnel for agricultural technology transfer are in line with the results of Nyarko and Kozari (2021) [5] .

Conclusion

Various online methods have been used to transmit agricultural information to farmers. Different methods used by farmers and extension personnel include digital devices, digital platforms and digital applications. Among the digital devices, the smartphone was the most common digital device used by all the respondents. Tablet and desktops were the least used digital devices by the farmers. Results show that Google Meet was the digital platform that was used by the farmers most often, followed by Zoom. Most respondents never used platforms like Webex, Microsoft Teams and KAU MOOC. Among the digital applications, 57 percent of the respondents most often used WhatsApp followed by YouTube (25%) for agricultural technology transfer.

Results reveal that 62 percent of the extension personnel used smartphones most often. 46 percent of the respondents indicated that they most often use a laptop for taking online training and classes for farmers. A combination of smartphones and laptops has also been used often by most extension personnel for online agricultural technology transfer. Desktop and tablets were the least used digital devices among extension personnel also. Google Meet was used most often by the majority of the respondents (64%), followed by Zoom (16%). Majority of the respondents rarely used Webex, Microsoft Teams and KAU MOOC. Among the digital applications, WhatsApp was the most popularly used digital application among the respondents

Acknowledgement

www.extensionjournal.com compared to Facebook, Instagram, telegram and Twitter. 74 percent of the respondents most often used WhatsApp for agricultural technology transfer. Majority of the respondents never used Twitter, Instagram and Telegram.

References

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